With multiple referendum projects scheduled for this summer, Princeton Public Schools (PPS) hit the ground running in June. Within a week of school ending, demolition had begun at Princeton High School (PHS), construction zones were set up and Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) replacement had started at Princeton Middle School (PMS), and construction at Littlebrook and Community Park Elementary Schools’ was underway. Stormwater basin work at Littlebrook and Johnson Park Elementary Schools had also begun, while playground work at Riverside Elementary was scheduled for a late summer start. Now, two months into summer, we are seeing major progress on the latest projects approved by voters.
“After years of planning and community support, it’s exciting to see these referendum projects begin,” says PPS Board of Education President Dafna Kendal. “These improvements to our buildings and construction of new classrooms are a direct investment in how our students will learn for years to come. Upgrading our school facilities will deliver lasting value for the community, and we look forward to sharing regular updates as these projects progress.”
From 2018 through 2025, Princeton voters approved a total of $146.5 million in bond referendums to improve Princeton’ public schools. Of that total, $89.1m funding most of the projects underway this summer, was approved on January 28, 2025. It includes Community Park and Littlebrook Elementary expansions, PHS renovations and HVAC improvements, as well as PMS expansion and HVAC replacements. The playground improvements and some roofing projects that are currently being completed are final parts of the 2023 approved referendum.
PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL
Last summer, PHS installed automated bleachers in the main gym, one of the numerous approved projects from the 2025 referendum. This summer, the focus is on improving the HVAC system, which includes installing high-efficiency boilers, refurbishing the chillers, and rehabilitating classroom units. Voters also authorized converting the space that had been occupied by the district technology department into more student instructional space and renovating the Numina Gallery.
Removal of the block walls to create the new instructional space at PHS was underway by June 26. When July hit, more demolition continued as rough plumbing was laid, a fire suppression system and sanitary lines were installed. The framing and new cinder-block walls for the classrooms and hallways started going up and HVAC ductwork and electrical systems started going in. By mid-July, removal of the nonfunctional HVAC units from PHS also began. There is a long lead time for the new air-handling units, but they had been ordered by late July. Considerations are being made to remove the non-functioning units, replace the hot water heaters and repair existing boilers this fall. In the meantime, sheetrock is starting to cover the block wall, as piping and wiring is ongoing.
PRINCETON MIDDLE SCHOOL
While PMS’ enhanced security and entrance improvements approved by voters last year were already completed, many more projects are still in the works, including two new classrooms, three flexible classrooms, two science labs, an expanded cafeteria and kitchen, and expanded vocal music and band rooms. The referendum also authorized a new multipurpose room, wrap-around corridor, covered student walkway connecting two middle school wings, a landscaped courtyard and updated main office with meeting rooms.
By the end of June, one could see fencing going up around the construction area at PMS, as removal of the back parking lot began.
“We are fortunate that most of the projects began on time and have progressed largely as we expected,” explains PPS Superintendent Michael LaSusa. “The only delay we encountered was not related to construction itself, but rather to a protest filed by an unsuccessful contractor over the bid award for the middle school expansion project. As we reported during Board of Education meetings in the spring, we successfully defended the bid award, and we were able to move forward with the original contractor. However, this caused a delay to the commencement of the construction. The contractor is now moving swiftly and continues with site work.”
At the front of the school, the flagpole was taken down in early July, as sidewalks and light poles were removed. By mid-July one could start to see the new building footprint take shape as topsoil was pulled back and concrete was lifted. Storm utilities and other pipework on site were being laid. The front building pad was completed by early August with footings laid out.
HVAC is also being replaced at PMS. By the end of June, the old kitchen unit was taken out and a new rooftop unit was installed. Throughout July, old units in the drama room were demolished as well as ductwork in the hallways. A new unit and ductwork were installed over the drama room and some roofing adjustments were made. By the end of July, steel supports were installed at the existing old units in the drama room, with ductwork installed at the cafeteria and adjacent hallway. Early August saw the completion of the steel work in the drama room, and the ceilings closed up as new lights and ceilings were installed in the cafeteria.
COMMUNITY PARK ELEMENTARY
At Community Park, voters approved the addition of five new classrooms, two new small-group instruction rooms, two new flexible classrooms, an expanded band room, and a new, larger vocal music room in addition to an expanded library and cafeteria and a new multipurpose room/gym with a stage. Also in the works are a wrap-around corridor and landscaped courtyard with enhanced recess space.
A week after schools ended, the courtyard at Community Park was demolished and the playground behind the existing kindergarten classrooms was cleared away. Then came the elimination of the first-floor kindergarten classrooms themselves as well as the Resource Room. Footprints for the new structures were set in July with the bioretention basin work underway. Drainage and storm structure work continued throughout the month. By early August, the interior demolition of the second-floor resource room was complete with some temporary partial walls put up.
LITTLEBROOK ELEMENTARY
Littlebrook also got the green light for major projects with the addition of six new classrooms, two small-group instruction rooms, renovated student support services area, a renovated kitchen, expanded band room and new, larger vocal music room. There were also plans approved to create an expanded parking area as well as a landscaped courtyard with enhanced recess space.
Littlebrook is also having its paved playground completely rehabilitated, with a new paved access area constructed. Demolition began in late June. By July, the existing playground was removed, the parking lot was milled and the existing fence and basketball hoop were taken out. The new lot and the existing parking areas were leveled and set to sub-grade. A below-grade stormwater management system was installed and completed by late July. In August, retention basin work was done and the asphalt playground was paved.
For the building addition, that area was excavated in mid-July enabling work on the building pad and new storm lines to begin. In early August, footings and columns were poured for the vocal and music rooms.
JOHNSON PARK ELEMENTARY
While there were no new projects specific to Johnson Park in the 2025 referendum, there is still the completion of those minor upgrades approved in 2023. In June, the playground work began there. The retaining wall removal started, and the trench drain was removed along with the mulch. In July, new materials were installed for the stormwater basin and rebuilding of the retaining wall began. New mulch has been brought in as well. Earlier in August, drawings for the retaining wall were finalized, and installation of the engineered fiber mulch was completed at both the lower and upper playgrounds.
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY
Similarly, Riverside playground improvements from the 2023 referendum were on tap for this summer. In August, the existing paved playground was milled and repaved.
The playground work is expected to be completed at all schools before students arrive on the first day.
START OF 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
While construction hit the ground running as soon as school let out, there is more work to be done than can be completed over the summer. Plans for solar power continue to move forward across the district. Additionally, parents and students are advised to pay attention to their emails as the start of school approaches to stay abreast of any changes that may impact them upon arrival or throughout the day.
“The principals at all of the schools under construction (Princeton Middle School, Littlebrook, Community Park, Princeton High School) have been meeting with construction managers, Andrew (Harris), and me throughout the summer to plan how to minimize the impact on students and staff,” LaSusa details. “The impacts depend on the school but include changes in parking availability and traffic flow at drop-off and pick-up, adjustments to student entry and exit routines, office relocation in some cases, and of course construction noise. Our principals will continue to monitor the progress and make changes as necessary. They will also communicate any adjustments to their respective school communities.”
NEW POLICIES FOR THE COMING YEAR
In addition to navigating the construction projects, families are advised that two new policies will take effect on August 31 when the new year begins.
The Bell-to-Bell cell phone ban will be most impactful in the high school, where students are accustomed to having access to their phones throughout the day. In compliance with the new state law, internet-enabled devices will now be prohibited (with some exceptions) during the school day, from the opening bell until the closing bell. As K-8 programs already had a restrictive policy, not permitting cell phones on their person during the school day, the major change will be for those in grades 9-12 who previously could text or call between classes, during free periods and during lunch/break. The Board is expected to approve the new policy at its August 18 meeting. PHS Principal Cecilia Birge is then expected to reach out to all high school families before the start of the year, sharing how the new policy will work and detailing disciplinary consequences for cell phone use in school.
The Board has also decided that students in middle and high school participating in school-sponsored athletic or co-curricular activities will have to pay a student activity fee for the coming year. $100 for middle school and $150 for high school will entitle students to participate in as many sports or activities as they choose. Those receiving free or reduced lunch will have their fees waived.
Princeton Perspectives will keep you updated on how all of the above developments take shape once the 2026-2027 year is underway.
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!