TRENTON – The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) has completed an emergent repair project at the Hart Middle School Complex in East Orange, furthering Governor Christie’s commitment to ensure that students attend safe and healthy schools.

The emergent project consisted of roof, exterior masonry and window repairs at the complex, which has three facilities – the John Costley, Patrick Healey and Sojourner Truth middle schools. 1,349 students in sixth through eighth grades attend these schools.

The work on the three schools, completed in mid-October, was performed by Catcord Construction Company, Inc. under a $213,000 contract awarded by the SDA last June. The SDA managed and funded this emergent project.

Emergent projects are those deemed necessary in SDA Districts due to health and safety issues. The schools were inspected by the SDA and the Department of Education (DOE), which authorized the repairs.

The SDA designs, constructs and fully funds new and renovated schools in SDA Districts. Emergent repair projects are either managed by the SDA or delegated to SDA Districts. The SDA currently has six new school projects in active construction and 122 emergent projects.

Since its inception, the school construction program has completed 623 projects in SDA Districts. In addition to 55 new schools, it has provided funding for 46 extensive additions, renovations and/or rehabilitations; six demonstration projects and more than 500 other projects.