BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
CRESSKILL, N.J.—A new early childhood center costing approximately $12.5 million and approved by voters more than a year ago finally began construction on Jan. 28, delighting local school officials who said it would free up classroom space at two other schools.
Cresskill Superintendent of Schools Michael Burke said though construction started later than planned. He anticipates the new building will be completed by February 2020.
The early childhood center—an addition to Bryan Elementary School—will add eight new classrooms: six kindergarten classes and two pre-kindergarten classes.
Burke has said these additional classrooms will open up 16 classroom spaces in the middle and high school when the pre-school program relocates.
Burke said the new childhood center addition will put Cresskill on par with other K-12 systems.
“I’m excited. Our increased enrollment has put a huge drain on our resources,” said Burke, noting kindergarten classes with an average of 23-24 students.
“We have a great [teaching] staff and great kids and we just want to be on the same level as similar districts,” he noted.
Burke said he was “very appreciative of the town’s support for the project and the school district in general. This is an investment in the town, their property values, and the children,” added Burke.
58 percent approved
The school construction referendum passed 732-518 in September 2017, approved by about 58 percent of voters in all six voting districts.
Approximately 23 percent of 5,377 registered voters cast ballots.
The new school building will be financed by taxpayers over a 30-year period, costing an average taxpayer $13.75 per month on an average $600,000 home.
Approximately 25 percent, or $3 million, will be covered by debt service aid, Burke said. The district is eligible for the aid because it is adding on to an existing building instead of building a freestanding school, he said.
Accommodates 125 students
The new early childhood education center is expected to hold 125 students in the eight new classrooms, Burke said.
He noted the student population is expected to reach 2,000 in the next several years and then level off, according to district projections.
School officials have complained for years about crowding in district schools and expect the project will go a long way to accommodate students and future programs.
The project includes installing an elevator in Bryan Elementary School to connect every floor of the new addition.
The project also includes new roofs for the elementary school and middle school, and new windows were installed in the schools.
In addition, new security and information-technology upgrades for both elementary schools and Cresskill Middle School/High School are planned, said Burke.