Inside Mahwah’s $138M Referendum: New Gyms, Turf Fields, and Critical Repairs

Mahwah’s $138M Question: What Homeowners Need to Know Before the March 10 Vote

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mahwah NJ, Big changes are coming to Mahwah schools, and the Township wants to make sure you have the facts before you head to the polls.

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Mahwah voters will decide on a massive $138.4 million bond referendum designed to overhaul aging infrastructure and bring “parity” to the district’s elementary and high school facilities.

To break down the numbers, the district is hosting two critical Town Hall meetings this February.

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Save the Dates: Mahwah Referendum Town Halls

If you have questions about your property taxes or how the money will be spent, these are the meetings to attend:

• In-Person Meeting: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mahwah High School Auditorium (50 Ridge Road).

• Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

District officials will use these sessions to explain the two-part ballot and show a seven-minute video detailing the “leaky roofs” and “aging boilers” that sparked the $138 million proposal.

The Two-Question Ballot Explained

Voters will face two distinct questions. Note: Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 is also approved.

Proposal	Cost	Focus Areas	Est. Tax Impact
Question 1	$75.8M	Critical Repairs: Leaky roofs, HVAC upgrades, new boilers, and security doors/windows across all buildings.	~$300/year
Question 2	$62.6M	School Parity: New gyms for GW and Betsy Ross; High School auditorium/gym upgrades; and new turf fields.	~$372/year

The Total Impact: If both pass, the average homeowner (assessed at $481,238) will see a tax increase of approximately $684 per year—roughly $57 per month.

Why Now? The State Aid “Bonus”

The Board of Education is pushing for this referendum now to unlock $28.1 million in state aid. This funding is only available if the referendum passes; if the district pays for these repairs through the regular budget, local taxpayers would have to foot 100% of the bill without the state’s 20% contribution.

What’s on the Construction List?

• Elementary Schools: Dedicated gyms at George Washington and Betsy Ross (ending the “multi-purpose room” crowding).

• Mahwah High School: A second gymnasium with bleachers, a renovated auditorium, and a specialized space for the 18-to-21-year-old special needs program.

• Middle School: Field upgrades including new turf and LED lighting for Ramapo Ridge.

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