The referendum results clear the way for the district to make significant upgrades to its upper-grade buildings and athletic facilities. The bulk of the work begins in the summer of 2025.
By Matt Skoufalos | March 13, 2024
Architect Scott Downie reviews planned changes to the HTHS entrance. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
For the second time in a decade, Haddon Township voters signed off on more than $30 million in facilities improvements for their public schools.
The nearly $31-million project touches every building in the district, but is focused primarily on improvements to the high-school and middle-school campus, including significant work on athletic, classroom, and multimedia spaces.
Poll returns were decidedly in favor of the measure, with approvals carrying both the mail-in (932 yes to 567 no) and in-person result (819 yes to 369 no), for an overall total of 1,751 yes to 936 no votes.
All results are preliminary and unofficial until certified by the Camden County Clerk.
“We’re thrilled that voters came out in person and voted by mail in favor of critical upgrades to our facilities and enhancements to our learning environment,” said Haddon Township Board of Education President Kellie Hinkle.
Despite concerns about tax increases and the composition of artificial turf fields included in the ballot measure, Hinkle said the project enjoyed initial community support from the outset of the district visioning process.
To manage concerns about the turf fields included in the bond, the Board will form a committee for community input, “taking into account every possible option,” she said.
“We take the safety of our students very seriously,” Hinkle said.
For a home valued at the Haddon Township average ($231,245), the 30-year bond will add $263 more in taxes annually, according to figures provided by the district.
Haddon Township residents discuss plans for the district school bond referendum in January 2024. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
Work on some of the smaller components of the project will begin this summer, with the bulk of the larger construction getting underway in the summer of 2025.
The Hamilton-based Spiezle Architectural Group will handle its design.
Haddon Township Superintendent of Schools Robert Fisicaro said he was “very excited about the outcome” of the referendum.
“I was very optimistic going in that the referendum was measured with our community,” Fisicaro said. “I think the enhancements will serve our students well for the near and far future.
“The last referendum made huge improvements for our elementary schools, and laid the foundation to expand programming,” the superintendent said. “This one focuses on the middle school and high school.
“It balances the need to educate the whole child with future-focused education and more collaborative spaces to learn.”
