SCC, Gloucester City Educators Dedicate New ECC

Cold Springs Facility Will Provide for 300 Pre-Schoolers

Gloucester City, NJ (May 15, 2004) - More than 300 pre-Kindergarten students will attend a new Early Childhood Center that was dedicated today at Cold Springs Elementary School by Gloucester City School District officials and representatives of New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC).

Students, parents, local officials and community members were on hand for the ceremony, which was part of the Camden County school district’s Family Health Fair at the Cold Springs Elementary School on Market Street.

The new $8.1 million pre-school center replaces 18 temporary classrooms used to house the district’s 3- and 4-year-old students. SCC fully funded and managed the project through 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, “This new Early Childhood Center in Gloucester City represents 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 two-story, 44,148-square-foot ECC includes 21 classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a kitchen and elevator. By design, the ECC is a stand-alone facility that can operate independently from the main building so the district can provide programs before and after school and during the summer. The ECC also has a separate bus drop-off and additional parking. Adjacent athletic fields were restored.

The ECC is part of an extensive upgrade of Gloucester City school facilities. The plan includes a new elementary/middle school – now in design – and additions to the high school. All districts schools have been renovated, including the Mary Ethel Costello Elementary School and Highland Park School of Success.

Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Stansky Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Stansky stated, “It is due to the efforts of the Gloucester City Board of Education and the District Administration that we are able to have this marvelous grand opening. It has been a long and arduous journey to get us here and we look forward to a more accelerated time line for our other construction projects. As Napoleon once declared, ‘Ability is of little account without opportunity.’ We rejoice as Gloucester City celebrates a new opportunity in the lives of our children.”

“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.

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