A vacant apartment building along Route 440 in Hopelawn is being converted into supportive housing for residents with disabilities and high medical needs. A closing is expected in July.
Matawan-Aberdeen School District Wants Community Input Before Considering a Bond Referendum
Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District wants community input on its facilities survey, open through Sept. 25, as it weighs a possible bond referendum in 2027.
Matawan Regional High School, undated. (Source)
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Chris Howell | August 19, 2026
The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District is asking residents to fill out a survey on the condition of its school buildings, part of a long-range planning process that could lead to a bond referendum next year.
The district, which serves Matawan Borough and Aberdeen Township in Monmouth County, operates seven schools for about 4,000 students. The survey is open through Friday, Sept. 25, and is available in English and Spanish.
The district is working with an architectural firm to assess all seven school buildings and identify future project needs. Officials said no final project list, cost estimate, financing plan, or referendum question has been determined.
“This community engagement process is about more than facilities,” Superintendent Dr. Nelyda Perez said in a statement. “It is an opportunity to identify strategic improvements that can enhance teaching and learning, expand opportunities for students, support student success, strengthen safety and security, and ensure our schools are prepared to meet the evolving needs of students and staff for years to come.”
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Any renovation projects that come out of the process could qualify for state funding, which would reduce the local share of construction costs, officials said. The district is also nearing the end of payments on debt from a previous bond referendum. Timing a new bond issue as that older debt winds down could help limit the tax impact of a future referendum.
The district has a mixed recent history with referendums. Voters approved a bond referendum in 2015 to fund HVAC upgrades across district buildings. In 2023, voters rejected a separate $2.8 million measure that would have funded additional school security officers and equipment, with about two-thirds voting no.
“The Board of Education is committed to being thoughtful stewards of taxpayer dollars, and that starts with listening to our community,” Board President Sheetal Werneke said in a statement. “To determine the most responsible path forward, it’s important to evaluate how best to both preserve and enhance our schools, so they remain well-positioned to serve the community for years to come. The survey helps us understand community priorities and where residents believe investments should be made as part of this early planning process.”
The Board of Education and district administration will review survey responses after it closes and update the community on next steps, officials said.
Editor’s note: The Central Jerseyan is free to read and supported by advertising. If you value this kind of local reporting and want to help sustain it, you can become a citizen supporter on Patreon. Your contribution helps fund continued coverage of local government, schools, and community issues.
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