NJ Schools Construction Corporation Breaks Ground
For Expansion of Grant School No. 7 in Passaic

$6.3 Million State-Funded Project to Add 8 Pre-K Classrooms, Gym

Flag Salute & National Anthem

Passaic, NJ (December 16, 2003) - New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) and Passaic School District officials held a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction of a $6.3 million pre-school addition and renovations to the Grant Elementary School No. 7 in Passaic. Educators, state and city officials, community leaders and students participated in the noontime event at the school at Summer Street & Myrtle Avenue.

The project will include the addition of 8 pre-Kindergarten classrooms, a gymnasium and cafeteria and renovations of the existing facility. It is being fully funded and managed by the SCC as part of the State's unprecedented $8.6 billion school construction program.

"This school project in Passaic 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.

Dr. Robert H. Holster, Superintendent of Passaic Schools

Dr. Robert H. Holster, Superintendent of Schools, stated, "The Passaic School community is excited about Grant School No. 7's groundbreaking. It's been a number of years since we've heard the welcome sound of s shovel going into the ground for school construction in our community. This groundbreaking will begin construction of our third pre-school facility. Our first opened on November 18, and the second, now under construction, will open this spring. Students are now being provided with facilities that offer high quality programs and services.

"Over the next several years, the sounds of construction will be echoing throughout our community as we anticipate many new schools. The Passaic School District is most grateful for the state funding and enthusiastically welcomes our partnership with the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation. Working together, we can truly lay a foundation that will help our students attain immeasurable results."

Jerry Murphy, Managing Director, SCC Policy and Communications

John F. Spencer, CEO of the SCC, noted, "The addition to Grant School in Passaic is the latest example of the progress made in implementing New Jersey 's historic school construction initiative. They are 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 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.

 

 

 

Rendering of Grant School Number 7 Addition

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