Perth Amboy, NJ (September 2, 2009) - Today Senator Frank R. Lautenberg joined the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) and Perth Amboy Board of Education officials to celebrate the opening of the Edmund Hmieleski Jr. Early Childhood Center.

Parents and teachers and area officials were on hand for the festivities as preschoolers began their educational journey, cutting the ribbon for the first school they are attending in their young lives. The attending dignitaries included Rep. Albio Sires, who has represented the 13th Congressional District, which includes Perth Amboy, since November 2006. Sires served as mayor of West New York from 1995 to 2006.

The school will accommodate up to 405 preschool students, providing them with 21st century educational opportunities. It 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.

"Quality early childhood education programs are proven to have a lasting effect on students" performance throughout their school years," said Governor Jon S. Corzine. "I am pleased this new facility will enable Perth Amboy educators to provide an even better learning experience and give these children the 21st century resources they need to succeed in school and life."

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) stated, "This brand new early childhood center will help our youngest students learn how to learn so that they will excel when they reach the classroom. With Governor Corzine's vision, New Jersey will continue leading the nation in preschool enrollment and serve as a model for early childhood education."

Today’s event marked the third new school completed in Perth Amboy. Ignacio Cruz ECC opened in 2004. Dr. Herbert N. Richardson 21st Century School opened in 2006.

"I am proud we are delivering this state-of-the-art Early Childhood Center that was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the SDA and the Perth Amboy School District," said SDA CEO Kris Kolluri. "Today’s event, along with 11 other SDA school openings across New Jersey this September, reflects our unbending commitment to deliver safe and affordable 21st century schools to our students."

The 50,625-square-foot Hmieleski ECC provides an early childhood facility with shared specialized program spaces conveniently located for access by both school attendees and residents of the community. There are 27 classrooms and two multipurpose rooms. It has three learning sectors with a controlled play area with playground equipment connected to each sector.

The school was formally named after the late Edmund Hmieleski Jr., who served 15 years on the Perth Amboy school board, including 11 as president. Family members joined in the ribbon-cutting to honor his memory.

Schools Superintendent John M. Rodecker remarked, "The Edmund Hmieleski Jr. Early Childhood Center represents a state-of-the-art facility designed and constructed specifically for the program and needs of our pre-school student population. It is also fitting that it honors Edmund Hmieleski, Jr. who was the President of the Perth Amboy Board of Education for 10 consecutive years dating back to 1975. For the next 10 years I had the privilege of working with him to fulfill his goal of improving our school system for the children of Perth Amboy. His dedication to the city and its children was paramount in his life."

TAK Construction Inc. was the general contractor. Perkins Eastman Architects designed the school. Epic Management Inc. was the construction manager.

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 Hmieleski ECC created/saved approximately 260 jobs over the duration of construction.