WHY ARE PRINCETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPOSING NEW INVESTMENTS FOR BUILDINGS AND LEARNING?

Education and careers are evolving – and our students need learning spaces that evolve with them. Today, along with reading, math and traditional education, our students explore authentic, hands-on careers in healthcare, automotive technology, culinary arts, construction and engineering, manufacturing, and more. At Princeton Public Schools, the classrooms and tools our students rely on are outdated, undersized, and need safety, accessibility, and industry-standard updates.

The Shop Areas & Industrial Tech Education

Students can learn welding, engine mechanics, construction, and machining, but our shops are 55 years old and very undersized. They are located in pole sheds that were built in 1970 and were intended to be a temporary space for these programs.

The size of the shops limits the number of students who can enroll in classes.

  • Not equipped with industry-standard tools and educational spaces to support students in their career path.

  • The shop areas create safety concerns, such as:

    • Poor ventilation

    • Overcrowding

    • Asbestos in the learning areas

    • Inadequate lighting

Healthcare Education

Students can learn and have the opportunity to train as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). We currently do not have dedicated classrooms and equipment for this training.

  • CNA students must travel out of the district for hands-on training.

  • There are a limited number of spots available in the program – just five.

Culinary Education

Culinary spaces are not equipped or designed to train students for the skills needed to work in professional kitchens.

  • The existing equipment is similar to what you would find in a standard household kitchen—ovens, stovetops, and tools meant for small-scale cooking. 

  • In contrast, commercial kitchens use high-capacity appliances and specialized tools. 

  • Without exposure to industry-grade equipment and setups, students miss the opportunity to learn techniques, workflows, and safety practices that are essential for careers in culinary arts.

Aging Classrooms

Classrooms at our high school are over 60 years old, and don’t support the needs of students in the current educational model. 

For example:

  • Today’s educational model focuses on group learning and 1-on-1 instruction, but our current classrooms were built for an era when learning was limited to sitting in rows and listening to lectures.

  • Our classrooms limit the type of instruction we can provide. 

    • For example, only one high school science classroom features group seating and a fume hood. This significantly limits the types and number of experiments students can perform. 

  • Current lighting is outdated and dark, making it harder for students to stay engaged in learning.

Building Infrastructure

  • The high school building’s boilers are original to the 1964 building and over 60 years old, over twice the average lifespan of a boiler today.

  • Stairwells and hallways at the high school are undersized, narrow, and poorly lit, creating safety concerns. Since 1964, the student population has doubled in size.

  • Locker rooms at the high school are in the basement and were built in the 1960s and do not meet accessibility and space requirements for students.

    • The location makes supervision difficult because of the proximity to the gyms and fields.

    • Locker room plumbing and lighting are severely outdated.

  • The high school student-run school store and concession stand are inadequate as learning spaces for business-education students.

  • The middle school roof is outdated and needs to be replaced.

Classroom Technology

Technology has become essential to today’s careers – and classrooms are adapting.

Modern technology, trade-specific tools, and current software are essential for students to excel in today’s world.

  • We must provide the necessary technology to support our classrooms and our Tiger Career Academies, to deliver on the expectations of our community and students.

  • Staying current with industry-standard infrastructure is essential for all our students and staff to connect to the tools they need for learning in today’s classroom.

    • For example, many textbooks and educational materials are online.

    • All Pre-k-12 students benefit from updated classroom technology.