On Tuesday, April 28, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education overwhelmingly approved the 2026-2027 school budget. This budget maintains our focus on students, highlighted by major investments in full-day kindergarten, the 6th Grade Middle School addition, and ongoing facilities and curriculum work. The district is effectively navigating major cost pressures this year, primarily in health care, utilities, and special education. Still, we have methodically identified savings through staffing adjustments, energy upgrades, and a full transportation overhaul.

The tax levy increase of 3.04% comes in well under our allowable cap of 4.66% and places us among the 3 lowest out of 17 Somerset County districts, more than 3% below the county average of 6.23%. This budget reflects the delicate balance between serving our students well and being responsible stewards of the community's tax dollars.  

The budget vote was 7-1, with Mr. Jeremy Li being the lone no vote.  

Superintendent Robert Beers and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Karen Jones spent the winter and spring presenting community updates on the district's decision to end the Academically Independent (AI) program while enhancing the school-based models currently in place at every primary school in the district.  

The AI program transported 67 students from Grades 2 through 4 to Hamilton Primary School, then returned them to their home schools in Grade 5 to join a mixed cohort. District data and student outcomes did not support the program's continuation. Two-thirds of students in our accelerated middle school mathematics and language arts cohort did not participate in the AI program. After factoring in upcoming grade shifts and sustained budget pressures, dedicating $512,000 (7,000 per pupil) in annual transportation and personnel costs to this program is no longer defensible. 

The district's school-based gifted and talented program, finishing its third year under the direction of Dr.Jones, will serve all K through 5 students moving forward. Programming is delivered in neighborhood schools and includes cluster grouping, small group investigations, and expanded instruction in science and social studies.

Superintendent Robert Beers has been direct about what drives this change. BRRSD's motto is "One and All," and the resources previously tied to a program serving 67 students will now support every learner in the district.  

The full presentation is available here.

For the ninth straight year, the Music Department in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District has won a prestigious national award.

The school district’s Music Department was named the recipient of the Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) — for the ninth consecutive year.

According to the NAMM, the award program, now in its 27th year, recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment to and access to music education. The award reaches K-12 communities nationwide, offering both recognition and momentum to strengthen and expand music education programs.

According to NAMM, in 2026, more than 1,000 school districts and schools—including public, private, charter, and parochial institutions—were recognized for outstanding achievement in providing access to high-quality music education.

This summer, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District will see significant construction and renovation across many of its school buildings. HVAC work is a major focus, with boiler replacements and all remaining heating and cooling work being completed at both Crim and Adamsville. At the same time, Bradley Gardens will see boiler replacements and the installation of the main office HVAC system. The new electrical service at the Middle School 6th Grade Addition was recently energized, and the project remains on track for summer completion, with a sanitary line replacement under the kitchen and cafeteria B set to begin on June 19th. Electrical service shutdowns and upgrades at Adamsville, Crim, and the High School are expected to wrap up over the summer through PSE&G. However, upgrades at Eisenhower and Hillside remain uncertain due to ongoing JCP&L issues that have been escalated.

Several other projects are also slated for substantial completion this summer. Restroom renovations at six elementary schools (Adamsville, Bradley Gardens, Crim, Hamilton, JFK, and Van Holten) are moving forward, and both the Eisenhower and Hillside classroom renovation projects are progressing under their respective contractors. Interior renovations at the Middle School are progressing and set for completion this summer. Window work continues at the Middle School and Hillside, with all remaining installations expected to be substantially complete by fall. It is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most productive summers the district has seen in recent memory.

The 2026/27 school year will represent major changes throughout the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.  Substantial changes have been made to the start and end times for each grade band, and the grade configurations at every school except the high school will differ in September.  Please look for additional details on drop-off times and bus information for your student on school websites before the end of the school year.  

A memorable trip to Houston that featured a visit to the Space Center and to Daikan Park, home of the Houston Astros, was experienced by the Bridgewater-Raritan High School students who are members of the Robotics FIRST Team 303 

The Robotics FIRST Team 303 earned a ticket to Texas by qualifying for the FIRST Championship, held in Houston from April 29 through May 2. Team 303 won the prestigious Engineering Inspiration Award at Lehigh University on April 18, advancing to the program's first world championships since 2019.

 Jim Griffin, the Robotics Team Advisor at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, reported that the team finished 2-8 in qualification matches.  

But the Bridgewater-Raritan students took the opportunity to enjoy their trip.

"The Einstein tournament, which takes the top eight alliances, was an incredible thing to experience, rivaling any sporting event I've ever been to with at least 20,000 watching those final matches during a giant robotics party," Mr. Griffin said.

The students also participated in the RoboProm at Daikan Park, the Astros' home, where they danced, talked, and interacted with other robotics teams from around the world. Before the Bridgewater-Raritan party departed, they visited Space Center Houston, where they toured the astronaut training facility at the Johnson Space Center and saw a Saturn V rocket up close.

Mr. Griffin revealed that the first-year students are eager to return to Houston.

"Next year's returning members are already planning for next year's robot and all of the new initiatives that we will undertake to bring STEM and robotics to our community in hopes of returning to Houston in 2027."

The Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School Drama Club will present its spring musical, Shrek the Musical Jr., in the school's auditorium. The performance will take place on Friday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the show.

A total of 72 Middle School students will participate in the production — 49 actors and 23 crew members.

The Education Foundation of Bridgewater-Raritan strives to be a valuable philanthropic partner to the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District by funding grants and scholarships to support creative and innovative initiatives that expand and enrich students' learning experiences and support dedicated teachers.

To fulfill its mission, the main fundraising event of the year will be held on Thursday, July 9, at the Fox Hollow Golf Club in Branchburg, where the Third Annual Education Foundation Golf Outing will be played. Sign up using the QR code on the flyer or visit the Ed Foundation website. Link