| JON S. CORZINE Governor |
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| For Immediate Release: | For More Information: |
| Date: September 3, 2009 | Robert Corrales Phone: 609-777-2600 |
"This is a terrific day for Newark Public Schools, and for the staff and students of Park Elementary School," Governor Corzine said. "There is no more important job than educating our students and helping them to achieve their potential in school and life. As more new schools come to the city of Newark, teachers gain tools to provide the 21st century education these children need. I'm proud to be here to celebrate the fresh beginning that the first day of school represents."
Park Elementary School accommodates up to 690 students in grades preK-8 and is among 12 new or renovated schools the SDA is opening this fall. The SDA has increased the capacity of student seats at these facilities to 9,000, representing an investment of $575 million to stimulate the economy and creating or saving 5,000 jobs for New Jersey.
"Governor Corzine has created the largest state school construction program in the nation," Kris Kolluri, SDA CEO said. "We have a commitment to New Jersey students and the SDA is delivering on that promise. I am proud to welcome the Newark students to their new Park School today."
Recent data shows New Jersey is creating jobs in the private sector demonstrating that Governor Corzine's efforts to position the state for economic recovery are working.
"This is an exciting day for the nearly 700 students of Park School and for the residents of Newark's North Ward," Education Commissioner Lucille Davy added. "Not only is it the first new non-replacement school in the city in more than 20 years, but its close proximity to historic Branch Brook Park will provide tremendous physical education and recreational opportunities for students and serve as a virtual science lab."
Today's event marked the fourth new school completed in Newark. Science Park High School opened in 2006, First Avenue School in 2007 and Central High School in 2008. Speedway Elementary School is scheduled to open in January 2010. Other facilities in the Capital Plan include the replacement of two post-Civil War schools - Oliver and South Street elementary schools - a new West Side High School and rehabilitation work at Gladys Hillman-Jones Elementary School.
The 118,638-square-foot Park Elementary School, built on a 4.7-acre site in the city's North Ward, addresses overcrowding at Abington and Ridge schools. The school is known as the Park School because it is adjacent to Branch Brook Park. The school includes general-use classrooms, a cafeteria and kitchen, auditorium, gymnasium, music rooms, a District-funded health clinic, support spaces and playground areas.
Overall the SDA has completed 613 projects in SDA Districts: 50 new schools; 44 extensive additions, renovations and/or rehabilitations; five demonstration projects and more than 500 other projects. In addition, it has completed 22 projects in Regular Operating Districts: five new schools and 17 extensive additions, renovations and/or rehabilitations.
The school construction program is central to the state's effort to mitigate the effects of the national recession. For 2009, the SDA has accelerated projects to advance Governor Corzine's Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan to spur the economy and generate jobs. The SDA is on track to begin preliminary or full construction of 27 Capital Plan projects in 2009. Overall, the SDA will invest $1.3 billion in these projects. Over the life of the projects, the SDA expects to create or save approximately 11,000 jobs.
The $50.7 million Park Elementary School created or saved approximately 439 jobs over the duration of construction.
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