The district continuously evaluates student and community needs and adjusts accordingly: 

• We maximize our building space, and will increase the number of pre-k classrooms from 11 to 14 this year at Elementary School #1. Even with this change, more than 100 Middle Township children will remain on a waiting list for tuition-free, full-day pre-k. 

• Education has evolved, and students need appropriate spaces for small-group instruction to ensure they are academically supported. Proposed additions and renovations would accommodate programs such as Basic Skills, Gifted and Talented, English as a Second Language, and one-on-one instruction to address learning gaps. The current space shortage requires makeshift solutions such as teaching from carts or on the stage in the cafeteria. 

• Synthetic turf fields are becoming a standard for New Jersey school districts. Middle Township High School is one of just four schools in its conference without turf. Among other benefits, installing turf fields would ensure our student-athletes can remain competitive.  

• We need to replace outdated, failing equipment – specifically the classroom heating and cooling units that control fresh air flow and lighting that illuminates Memorial Field. 

If voters approve the referendum in September, the district will be able to start construction in the summer of 2025 after selling bonds, finalizing designs and awarding contracts to the lowest qualified bidders.

High-quality schools are associated with a desirable community, and are a key factor for families looking to buy a home.  

The Board believes a referendum is a fiscally responsible approach in the best interest of all Middle Township taxpayers because costs can be spread over time, the state will contribute $3 million to offset the local share if voters approve, and improvements would include cost-efficient upgrades that reduce the risk of expensive emergency repairs.

With a successful referendum in September, the district and its consultants would begin preparing for construction. Architects would draft detailed designs and award contracts to the lowest qualified bidders.  

Work in the summer of 2025 would likely begin with HVAC and athletic area upgrades. Any remaining HVAC work would take place the following summer.  

Preliminary work on building additions and renovations would start in September 2025, with all construction at Elementary School #2 completed by March 2027. Renovations to Elementary School #1 would be completed over the summer of 2027. 

The estimated timeline depends on the availability of supplies and labor, among other factors. 

Most of the work would be completed over summer breaks. Construction managers would work with administrators to minimize disruptions from any projects scheduled during the school year.

The district wants all residents to have accurate information about the bond referendum before voting in the Sept. 17 election. Community members are encouraged to visit this website often for updates, follow MTPS schools on social media, and attend the Aug. 28 community forum virtually or in person at 7 p.m. at Middle Elementary School #1.

The event will feature a panel of district leaders and expert consultants speaking about the referendum and answering the community’s questions.  

The district will also share information through a video, community-wide postcard and other forms of communication.

The traditional classroom, with student desks lined up to face the teacher, is not optimal for all learning needs. For example, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) encourages hands-on activities such as robotics and coding. Renovations at Elementary School #2 would create such an instructional area, with open space to support exploration.  

Schools also require flexible spaces for various types of instruction, including Basic Skills, Gifted and Talented programs, ESL (English as a Second Language) and individualized support to address learning gaps. The proposed additions and renovations at the district’s two elementary schools would provide needed space for these programs, which now take place in areas including converted offices and a stage in the cafeteria. 

The U.S. Department of Labor gathers data on childcare costs across the country. In 2023, the estimated annual cost of childcare per child in Cape May County was $9,831, or 10.6% of median family income, for a home-based preschool program, and $10,878, or 11.8% of median family income, for a center-based preschool program. 

MTPS uses state funding to offer tuition-free, full-day pre-k to 3- and 4-year-olds. Demand is outpacing available spots, and the district has a waiting list of more than 100 families.

The N.J. Department of Education provides preschool funding to support critical cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. The state increases access to tuition-free, full-day pre-k by awarding millions of dollars in preschool expansion aid to school districts. The program pays for pre-k operating costs, including staffing. 

Just as the state strives to remove financial barriers to high-quality pre-k programs, MTPS seeks to eliminate the space limitations that leave 100-plus families on a pre-k waiting list. The proposed building addition and renovations at Elementary School #1 would create 10 additional pre-k classrooms – enough for 150 more students than the district currently serves. The state mandates a cap of 15 students per pre-k class. 

Expanding pre-k at Elementary School #1 brings the opportunity to create a more cohesive elementary school experience at Elementary School #2. Second grade would shift to Elementary #2, providing students with more educational opportunities in larger spaces. The students would be in the building for four years instead of three, giving teachers and staff a longer time to build relationships with the young learners and identify their individual strengths and needs. 

The current grass field at Memorial Field is heavily used for student-athletes’ games and practices, and is available to Middle Township recreation leagues and local organizations. Replacing the grass field with a synthetic turf field has many advantages, including: 

• More playing time for both students and rec leagues because the surface would recover quickly after rain 

• Comparable practice surface for athletes who play on opponents’ turf fields 

• Potential revenue source if private groups rent the turf field 

We rely on unit ventilators to control the flow of fresh air, humidity, heating and cooling in classrooms. Comfortable learning environments support student focus.  

Elementary School #1 has 16 outdated unit ventilators, and replacement parts are difficult to find. The equipment causes issues such as excess humidity, leaks and noisy operation. 

If these unit ventilators are replaced, they will be managed through a centralized system to maximize comfort and efficiency. The district would be able to control temperatures based on whether a space is occupied, which could reduce energy bills. Centralized monitoring also helps spot the warning signs of a system failure, allowing time for preventive measures to reduce potential disruptions to the school day.

The state requires that bond-funded contracts be awarded through a public bidding process. The system benefits taxpayers by ensuring the district gets the best price for the work. Contractors submit bids and the district must choose the lowest qualified bidder.