Elizabeth Celebrates Groundbreaking

A New Early Childhood Center
State provides over $12 million to City of Elizabeth

Elizabeth, NJ (June 10, 2003) - Local, state and school officials officiated at a groundbreaking today for a new early childhood center. The new educational facility will include over 20 pre-kindergarten classrooms that will house over 300 three and four year-olds. Construction costs for the new $12 million dollar center will be fully funded by the State.

The funding is part of an $8.6 billion school construction program that will help to revitalize the community, bringing jobs and targeted growth to the area.

Al McNeill, CEO, SCC, Carole Cascio, Board President, Raul Burgos& Oneida Duran, Board Members, Dr. Ellen Frede, Assist. Comm., Early Childhood Education, DOE, Edmund Proctor, Board Vice President

"This new early childhood center in the city of Elizabeth represents New Jersey's continued commitment to our children. We are living up to our most important obligation by providing 21st century facilities to ensure that every child has the opportunity to get the education they deserve and the skills necessary to start school," said Governor McGreevey.

"The state is committed to improving school facilities for New Jersey students in a cost-effective, streamlined and efficient manner. School buildings must be designed to provide access to modern technology and a thoughtful environment which is conducive to student achievement," he added.

Thomas G. Dunn, Jr., Superintendent of Schools

Elizabeth's Superintendent Thomas Dunn said, "Today is a great day for the children of our city. The new spaces we are constructing will hold the creative energy and spirit of innovation already employed by our educational system. It is a significant step we're taking, one which highlights the collaborative efforts made by the Elizabeth Board of Education and the State of New Jersey to ensure that all children, regardless of their economic backgrounds, have the chance to receive a quality education."

The project involves new construction of a 56,360 square-foot center located on North Broad Street. It will include 20 pre-kindergarten classrooms, a large multi-purpose room, two innovative enclosed exterior play courts, a teaching garden, full service kitchen, small group instructional spaces and administrative and faculty spaces.

"This project is an example of the progress made in the implementation of the state's historic school construction initiative. This new early childhood center is one of many that will be built under the educational facilities law," said Alfred McNeill CEO New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC).

Under the Educational Facilities and Construction Act, SCC is responsible for school projects throughout the State. The program is the largest public construction program ever undertaken by the State of New Jersey and represents one of the largest programs of its type ever undertaken in the nation.

 

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