Night Watch: Dr. Feltre and District Officials Answer Questions on the BHPSNJ Referendum

NJ21st sat down with Superintendent Dr. Kim Feltre, Business Administrator Jennifer Nicholson, district architect, and bond counsel for an extended, in-depth discussion on the upcoming Berkeley Heights school referendum.

Topics covered include:

• What the district says is driving the need for the referendum
• How facility conditions connect, or do not connect, to student achievement
• What happens to the district if the referendum fails
• Whether a future referendum could be presented again
• How rising construction costs, inflation, and timing affect project pricing
• The district’s explanation of budget pressures including health care, energy, staffing, and special education costs
• Questions raised about spending priorities, including security, administration, athletics, and academic outcomes
• Long-term budget sustainability and whether realignment toward student learning is planned
• Community concerns about project prioritization, classroom conditions, and district decision-making

This interview is part of NJ21st’s ongoing coverage providing full transparency, direct dialogue, and primary-source information so residents can make informed decisions ahead of the referendum vote.ongoing coverage providing full transparency, direct dialogue, and primary-source information so residents can make informed decisions ahead of the referendum vote.

NJ21ST

shining a light on local government

Our goal in covering the Berkeley Heights Public School referendum, as with any major local government decision, is to provide a platform for residents to make informed decisions, share their perspective, and be armed with the right questions to ask.

We hope residents avoid either cheerleading or trashing the referendum — the best approach is to ask hard questions and encourage the BOE and Administration to make changes that better serve the needs of our students while also respecting the economic realities families face in our community.

Our Referendum Hub provides a thorough fact-based analysis of what works and what needs to change.

Explore the BHPSNJ referendum analysis →