Long-delayed EBHS project funded by $200K grant Officials say project was put off for over 10 years, but a state grant will make it happen soon By jamie dougher Staff Writer PHOTOS COURTESY OF EAST BRUNSWICK SCHOOLS The 45-year-old Family and Consumer Science laboratories at East Brunswick High School will be refurbished thanks to a state grant. Officials said the plumbing (photo below) and electrical systems, installed when the school was built in 1958, are among the problems. EAST BRUNSWICK — Students at East Brunswick High School will no longer have to use kitchen facilities that are older than some of their parents. The 45-year-old Family and Consumer Science laboratories at the high school will receive a facelift next year when they are refurbished thanks to a grant from the state. In recent years, students have been unable to take advantage of the facilities because of their poor condition. The grant money will replace broken cabinetry and countertops, plumbing and electrical systems and appliances. "The kitchens are not at all what people would be experiencing [today]," said Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Magistro. "It’s just not comparable." Problem plumbing at the high school will soon be repaired. Magistro said the school even lost the services of a teacher in the FCS department who said she could not work in the facilities any longer because they were in such disrepair. "For safety reasons there needs to be some improvement there," she said. "There are things that can be done to make it more conducive as a learning center." The $200,000 project has been put off during the school district’s budget preparations in each of the last 10 years, but a state grant program will provide the necessary funds to move forward with the facility update. Magistro said the district is grateful to state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-18th District), who helped secure the funds for the project. "She knew there were facility issues that constantly get taken out of school budgets," Magistro said. Renovations will impact the preschool education room as well as the two kitchen rooms if funds allow. "It just depends on how far the money goes," said Patricia LaDuca, the new director of community relations and programs for East Brunswick public schools. Buono and Assemblymen Peter Barnes and Patrick Diegnan, all Democrats representing the 18th Legislative District, were expected to tour the high school laboratories yesterday with Magistro to view the condition of the facilities so it can be compared to the improved facilities at a later date. LaDuca said the program will be able to expand its educational opportunities to more students after the repairs are made. She said teachers will benefit because they can update their curriculum to better match the technological advances that have been made to enhance production in the kitchen and other areas of family and consumer life. Efficiency in the classroom will be increased, she said, and the kitchens will be able to accommodate more people, thus allowing more students to take FCS classes. LaDuca said the time frame of the project will depend on when the state can give the district the money and how quickly a renovation plan can be designed. Construction will not occur until at least next summer, Magistro said, to ensure that students will be able to take the classes this school year without programs being disrupted by the renovations.