SCC, Camden Educators Unveil Design Plans
For New Early Childhood Development Center

State Fully Funding, Managing $18 Million Project

Camden, NJ (April 29, 2004) - As part of an educational renaissance in Camden, city residents attended a presentation of design plans for a new $18 million Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) by New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC), the Camden Board of Education, Don Todd Associates of Cherry Hill, the project management firm, and the Hillier Group, a Princeton architectural firm.

The new ECDC is one of a total of $437 million in new school projects SCC has on tap for the Camden School District over the next several years. Also, in Camden alone, SCC already has completed nearly $26 million in health and safety upgrades at 33 schools. SCC is fully funding and managing these projects in the city school district of Camden County as part of the state’s unprecedented $8.6 billion school construction program.

Governor McGreevey – who initiated SCC in July 2002 to streamline the building of much-needed quality schools statewide – said, “These projects in Camden represent New Jersey’s continued commitment to our children. Working together, we are living up to our most important obligation by providing 21st century schools to ensure every child has the opportunity to get the education they deserve and skills necessary to succeed.”

The new 81,800-square-foot ECDC at Pine and Magnolia streets in the city’s Parkside section will provide 21st century educational opportunities for 444 pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students. It will specialize in teaching special needs children from the entire Camden School District. It will include 37 classrooms, 10 small-group instruction rooms, a gym, media center, cafeteria, art room, music room, physical therapy room, playground and office space. Parking facilities at the school also will support the nearby Camden School District Studio, Forest Hills Elementary School and a community park. An existing facility at the same site was razed to make way for construction of the new ECDC, which is expected to be completed by fall 2006

Residents and members of Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP) attended the presentation of design plans.

The session was the third of three community presentations this month for new school projects in Camden. Designs were presented to the public for the new H.B. Wilson Elementary School on April 7 and Thomas H. Dudley School yesterday, April 28.

“Under the Governor’s leadership, SCC is providing high-performance schools for New Jersey students in a cost-effective, streamlined and efficient way. Our schools are being designed to give students state-of-the-art technology and academic environments that promote learning and achievement,” stated John F. Spencer, CEO of the SCC.

The SCC is responsible for school projects throughout the State of New Jersey. The $8.6 billion program is the largest public construction program ever undertaken by New Jersey and represents one of the largest programs of its type ever undertaken in the nation.

Kevin Willis, Senior Vice President of Don Todd Associates, Inc., stated: "As part of our responsibilities to the Camden Community, we are committed to informing and reciprocating input from the residents of the City of Camden regarding the New Jersey Schools Construction Program as it continues to develop.”

Judy Cannuli, Supervisor, ECDC, Tom Rowan, Principal, ECDC, Michelle Banks-
Spearman, PBCIP Board Chairman, Susan Montague, Kevin Willis, Don Todd
Associates, Keith Jones, SCC Communications

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