SCC Breaks Ground for Early Childhood Center in Camden

State Fully Funding $17 Million School Facility

Camden, NJ (December 3, 2003) - The New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) held a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction of a new $17 million Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) for the Camden School District.

District and area educators, state and local officials, community leaders and supporters attended the event at Pine and Magnolia Streets in the city's Parkside section.

The ECDC will be a 79,688-square-foot school serving Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes and specializes in teaching special needs children from the entire Camden School District. The state-of-the-art, two-story facility will serve 440 students. The project will include 37 classrooms, 10 small-group instruction rooms, a gym, media center, cafeteria, art room, music room, physical therapy room, playground, and office and support space. Parking facilities at the school also will support the nearby Camden School District Studio, Forest Hills Elementary School and a community park. The new ECDC will replace an existing facility at the same site.

The new construction, expected to be completed by late 2006, is being fully funded and managed by the SCC under the State's $8.6 billion school construction program.

"This project in the City of Camden 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 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," Governor McGreevey added.

Annette D. Knox, Camden Superintendent of Schools

Annette Knox, Superintendent of Schools, stated, "Breaking ground for the Early Childhood Development Center represents a new beginning for the Camden City Public School District and academic opportunities for our students in a 21st century, cutting-edge facility that will include adequate space to accommodate more than basic needs. We will be able to implement programs that will support the development of students who will be able to compete with other students across the world in their immediate age group."

Jack Spencer, the CEO of the SCC, noted, "This project for the City of Camden is another example of the progress made in implementing New Jersey 's historic school construction initiative. It is representative of the many quality school facilities that will be built throughout the state under the educational facilities law."

Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, the SCC is responsible for school projects throughout the State. The program is thelargest 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.

George Strachan, Director, SCC Communications, Senator Wayne Bryant, L. Warren Sykes, Camden Board of Education President, Annette D. Knox, Camden Superintendent of Schools, Dhamiri Bayette Abayomi, Board Member

Associates from SCC, Don Todd Associates and Mazzocchi Wrecking, Inc.

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