HOBOKEN, NJ — After a $241 million plan to build a new high school in Hoboken was rejected by voters in a January special election, school officials are continuing to seek community feedback to help guide their next steps.
Aug. 24 (1 p.m. virtually and 7 p.m. in-person)
Sept. 14 (10 a.m. virtually and 6 p.m. in person)
Part of that effort has included a series of roundtable meetings with the public “to provide valuable information” and “to answer questions about the budget, enrollment, current facilities, programs and accomplishments.”
So far, the district has held two sessions and plans to host two more:
All in-person meetings will be held at Hoboken High School. Click here for information on how to register.
The district kicked off the series in May, when it hosted six roundtable meetings specifically meant for district parents and guardians.
School Board President Sharyn Angley recently told TAPInto Hoboken officials have received “very positive” feedback during the sessions.
“Attendees have come with varying levels of knowledge with regard to district enrollment, facilities, programs, budget, etc. which has sparked some great questions and conversation. The small group format gives everyone the opportunity to participate in the discussion which is beneficial to all in attendance,” she also said.
Between March and April, the school board conducted a survey to gather input on the referendum and proposed project.
From an initial review of the questionnaire — which had almost 1,200 respondents from all six wards in Hoboken — the board said it picked up on a few themes, including the cost, necessity of the project and public amenities included in the plan. Many also said there are specific aspects of the district’s long-range facilities plan, including the new high school, on which they would like more information.
The proposed new high school — which was rejected by a margin of two to one in the Jan. 25 election — would have resulted in an estimated $500 per year increase in property taxes for the next 30 years.
Those who supported the measure pointed to the proposed amenities — such as a football stadium, theater, ice rink and swimming pool — as ones available in many suburban districts, while also touting the twenty-seven general classrooms, eight science labs, and six special education classrooms that were to be included.
Opponents argued that the money would be better spent on increasing teacher salaries, buying new technology and concentrating on improving student test scores. Some also expressed concern over the rollout of the proposal, claiming it lacked transparency.
Following the failed referendum, the board cannot post a new school plan for at least one calendar year.
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Hoboken, NJ
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