Camden, NJ (September 17, 2009) - Today New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) and Camden Board of Education officials joined together for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for Thomas H. Dudley Elementary School, the oldest school replaced by the agency this fall. The original Dudley School opened in 1904, the year after the Wright brothers made the world’s first successful airplane flight.

"The opening of the new Dudley Elementary School is another example of our continuing commitment to the renewal of the City of Camden," Governor Jon S. Corzine said. "The replacement of century-old buildings like Dudley gives Camden’s children the tools that are necessary to succeed in the 21st century."

Camden’s Dudley and H.B. Wilson (1907) elementary schools are the two oldest schools replaced by the SDA this September in New Jersey and are 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.

Area officials, teachers, parents and students were on hand to cut the ribbon for the new Dudley Elementary School in East Camden, a 91,853-square-foot, two-story facility, accommodating 539 students in grades K-6. The school has such community features as a gymnasium, media center and playground that will be accessible to students and neighborhood residents alike. It also offers modern technology including interactive whiteboards.

"This state has 155 schools that are more than a century old,” SDA CEO Kris Kolluri said. “Governor Corzine’s school construction program will continue to move forward in its efforts to replace or renovate schools that have outlived their usefulness, delivering the modern, efficient, affordable buildings that our children need and deserve."

Dudley and Wilson are the third and fourth schools completed in Camden under SDA management. Octavius V. Catto Community School opened in 2007 and Early Childhood Development Center No. 25 opened in January 2009. Morgan Village Middle School is under construction.

Camden has three additional projects included in the SDA's Capital Plan – Camden High School, Lanning Square Elementary School and Pyne Poynt Family School. All told, the SDA has spent or allocated $687.8 million to date for projects in Camden.

"We are pleased to open a new state-of-the-art facility for our students and parents with 21st century technology and fully functioning auditorium, cafeteria and environmentally sound architecture," said Camden Superintendent Dr. Bessie LeFra Young. "Education in Camden will take a big step forward with the opening of the new Thomas H. Dudley K-6 school."

Gensler Associates/Architects handled design work for the school. Cobra Construction Co., Inc.was the general contractor. Hill International managed the construction project for the SDA.

Dudley marks a milestone for the SDA, representing the 50^th new school opened since the program’s inception. Overall the SDA has completed 613 projects in SDA Districts. In addition to the 50 new schools; it has opened 44 extensive additions, renovations and/or rehabilitations; five demonstration projects and more than 500 other projects. Also, 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 $44.2 million Wilson project created/saved approximately 383 jobs over the duration of construction.