It’s time for US to do what it takes to Build Better Communities

Just like in YOUR home & YOUR neighborhood, this takes investment!

BUT NEW JERSEY HAS FALLEN BEHIND ON THAT INVESTMENT, IMPACTING THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR PUBLIC-SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.

Did You Know?

In the last 10 years, the state of NJ lost out on over $3.96 billion (before state matching funds) in school construction due to rejected ballot referendums.

  • Of the referendums put on the ballot in 2023, 32% of the proposals failed, representing a loss of over $602 million in construction and related school spending projects.
  • In 2024, 43% of proposed referendums failed, representing a loss of over $553 million in potential local school spending.
  • So far in 2025, 40% of proposed referendums failed, representing a loss of over $142 million in potential local school spending projects.

This means critically important things are not being addressed in OUR schools. Things like:

  • Security upgrades
  • Overcrowding in OUR classrooms
  • Required Electrical, Plumbing and H-VAC improvements

The investment required to address these fundamental needs would provide better learning environments for OUR children, safer and more efficient classrooms for OUR teachers and long-term financial relief for YOU! This investment needs to come from ALL OF US!

BUT, IN THESE DIFFICULT FINANCIAL TIMES, ASKING TO HAVE ANY MORE MONEY PULLED FROM YOUR ALREADY OVERSTRETCHED INCOME AND PROPERTY TAXES IS SIMPLY NOT AN OPTION.

The Opportunity

Building Better Communities (BBC) is a one-stop shop for all things regarding referendum projects for our coalition partners.

Statewide Educational
Facilities Referendums 

There is a $7 billion funding need for just SDA districts around the state, before considering regular operating distrcit needs.

BBC will conduct polling to advise of messaging, audiences & timing for the SDA and Legislature to support a statewide Education referendum. 

Local Education & School
Construction Referendums 

BBC will keep track of local refereundums, providing regular updates and coordinating upcoming local projects and campaigns that benefit your members or organization. 

BBC will be your contact to help coordinate and execute initiatives to support these referendums.

How We Will Do It 

Building Better Communities is fighting to present New Jersey voters with a choice to fund future capital investments in our schools and communities with a bond referendum.

YOU deserve the right to say “YES” or “NO” to YOUR FUTURE!

Voting “YES” on this critical investment will create a fund that EVERY school district in New Jersey will have the opportunity to access to:

  • BUILD NEW SCHOOLS
  • MAKE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING SCHOOLS

Awareness

Referendum elections can occur 5 times a year & often go unnoticed. They are low-turnout elections with higher turnout among senior citizens and anti-education spending voters while more pragmatic voters are unaware. We will track when the referendum elections will occur with enough notice to plan for referendum campaigns.

Preparation

After focusing on districts around the state, we will coordinate with our partners to plan and execute the campaign. Building Better Communities will utilize data to target and run full campaigns with digital, mail and organizing as the Referendum election approaches we educate the voters on the importance of the upcoming project.

Mobilization

After identifying voters who would be likely to support new school infrastructure, we will turn our messaging to get out the vote efforts.

We will mobilize our membership organizations, their members, our partners and volunteers to support and ultimately help pass the referendum.