The new school will replace the existing, aging Public School No. 3, help ease district overcrowding and provide much-needed early childhood educational programs for 3- and 4-year-old children in the Hudson County community.

This is the most recent SCC school project for West New York. The first project was the new West New York Middle School, opened in 2004. School No. 4 is due for completion this spring, and two other school projects are due to go out to construction bid this spring.

The new 110,000-square-foot facility will include 35 general classrooms, an art room, music rooms, technology lab and two science labs. It will also feature a full-service cafeteria, auditorium, two computer rooms, a media center/library, gym, six small group instruction rooms and occupational therapy rooms. There will be administrative offices, a conference room, faculty work area, nurse station, speech therapist room, guidance counselor offices, parent liaison office, social worker offices and security staff as well.

The project entails the demolition of four existing structures and the installation of pile foundations. Demolition is expected to start this spring, with the construction of the new school to begin by summer. The new school is expected to open to students by September 2009. Once the new school opens, the old Public School No. 3 will be used for students from other West New York schools as those buildings undergo much-needed renovations.

Gruzen Samton Architects is the design firm for the new West New York School No. 3. Turner Construction Company is managing the project for the SCC. The board approved the construction contract award to Prismatic at its January 24 meeting.

Overall in the 31 state Abbott districts, the SCC has opened 30 new schools, completed 26 additions and major renovations, and nearly 400 health, safety and other projects. Seventy projects ranging from new schools to interior rehabilitations are under way.