Rumson's two public schools are getting bigger. Voters approved the Rumson School District's bond referendum on November 3, clearing the way for additions at both Deane-Porter School and Forrestdale School, more room for the district's youngest students and a list of repairs to the older of the two buildings.

The district reported unofficial tallies of 1,744 votes in favor and 861 opposed, with vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day still to be counted and the final result to be certified by the Monmouth County Clerk's Office.

What the bond pays for

In a letter to families dated November 4, Superintendent John E. Bormann and Board of Education President Curran Scoble listed the approved projects:

  • An addition to Deane-Porter School to house art, music, science and special services.
  • Renovations to existing classroom space to support expanded early childhood programs.
  • An addition to Forrestdale School with more general-use classrooms.
  • Restoration of Deane-Porter's roof and main entrance.
  • Bathroom renovations at both Deane-Porter and Forrestdale.
  • A new facilities and grounds building for the district.

The district said the work responds to growing enrollment, and that the goal is to keep class sizes where they are, widen preschool access and give its programs dedicated rooms rather than shared ones.

The two schools

Deane-Porter School, at 50 Black Point Road, is the district's elementary school. Forrestdale School, at 60 Forrest Avenue, serves the upper grades and was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2024, a federal recognition the district cites in its announcement. Rumson students continue on to Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, which is a separate district and was not part of this vote.

What happens next

The district has not published a construction timeline yet. It says project updates will be posted on the Referendum page under the Buildings and Grounds tab of its website, and it has invited residents to send questions to the administration or any member of the Board of Education.

The Superintendent's Office, at 60 Forrest Avenue, can be reached at 732-842-4747, and the district's calendar and contacts are on its home page.

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