Orange School District Opens 1906 Time Capsule

Mayor Hackett, Arthur Griffa, Orange School Board President

(August 15, 2002) - - One of the highlights this year in the City of Orange harks back to 1906 when a time capsule containing items from the Orange City School District and the local community was exhumed at the site of one the district's oldest buildings, the site of the 1906 Orange City High School.

With plans in the works for demolition of the aged facility to make way for the construction of a new elementary school, the time had come for the district to unearth a piece of history and turn back the hands of time. Mary Fengya, Project Officer, Division of Design & Construction, Economic Development Authority (EDA) joined Board President, Arthur Griffa, members of the Orange Board of Education, and Orange City Mayor Mims Hackett Jr. for the opening of the time capsule.

Examining time capsule contents

Among the Items in the capsule were local newspapers, an Orange Bank Savings handbook, 1904 Board of Education Manual, names of the1906 faculty members, student body, Board members, and various documents from community organizations.

Board President Arthur Griffa noted that although he was sad to see the old facility demolished, he knew the new elementary school would best serve the needs of the children of the City of Orange for generations to come. Adekunle James, Business Administrator/Board Secretary for the school district, advised attendees that the district will be involving the community and children of Orange with their plans to bury a new time capsule at the site of the new school facility. Mayor Hackett applauded the contributions the school had made to the City of Orange over the years and noted that he was confident that the children attending the new elementary school would continue to contribute to the city as their predecessors had done.

Left to right: Nicole Williams Board Vice-President, Etta Marie Rizzuto Board Member, Arthur Griffa Board President & Patricia Arthur Board Member

Demolition of the existing three story facility is expected to be completed early September 2002. The demolition contract was awarded to a woman-owned enterprise, Maztec Environmental, Inc., dba Mazzocchi Wrecking. Construction of the new 123,768 sq. ft. elementary school is expected to begin October 2002, and will accommodate 648 students. The construction cost estimate for the facility is $21 million. The EDA executed assignment of the design contract for this school with the architectural firm Yezzi Associates.

Under the Educational Facilities and Construction and Financing Act, the EDA is entrusted with financing and managing the design, renovation and new construction of all the school facilities projects for the 30 Abbott school districts and for districts that receive more than 55% in State aid.

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