Age, state of schools detailed in presentation
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — In the latest in her series of presentations to kick off each school board meeting, Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Magistro talked about the age and state of district schools.

At the Nov. 18 meeting, Magistro noted how the Central School — one of three that would see additions and renovations if a Dec. 14 referendum is approved — is East Brunswick’s oldest at 55 years old. The other two schools, Lawrence Brook and Hammarskjold, aren’t far behind at 45 and 43 years old, respectively.

But beyond ages, the schools also are overcrowded, Magistro said. The state capacity for Hammarskjold is 692, yet there are more than 1,500 students. Central has a capacity of 321, but is more than 100 students over that. Lawrence Brook is also rated at 321, and has 463 students.

If age and crowding weren’t enough, Magistro also pointed out how the schools are used up to 15 hours a day by both the school district and community.

“We have talked about the history, the fact that there were two failed bond referendums to address growth in enrollment and aging facilities. The community said wait until the kids are here. Well, they are here,” Magistro said.

To add perspective, she noted how the same year Central was built, one could buy a new Studebaker and drive it on a two-lane Route 18. The New Jersey Turnpike had not been built, and the population of East Brunswick was only 5,699 — whereas it is now about 47,000.

Around the time Lawrence Brook and Hammarskjold were constructed, the 8-millimeter sound projector was new, and fewer than 20,000 people lived in East Brunswick.

Magistro also noted how the district makes its schools available to the community. The township’s recreation department uses the buildings every day after school for the School-Age Child Care Program. It also uses the schools for summer camps. PTA and committee meetings are held at the schools, and there are also clubs and activities after school for students.

She said the buildings are used until 9 or 10 p.m. by various groups, including the Boy Scouts and the Fast Break basketball program.

Due to the heavy use, the amount of time workers have for maintenance is limited, she said.

Other numbers were offered to show how the overcrowding is affecting students. For example, in the elementary schools, 93 classes are over state guidelines for class size. And at Hammarskjold, 528 of 819 classes are over the guidelines.

Magistro also discussed the impact the referendum would have on local school taxes.

For 2006, the tax rate would go up $45 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. In 2007, that would increase to $74, and in 2008 to $131. The full impact of the referendum would not be felt until 2009, when it would reach $140 per $100,000.

Officials have been holding tours of the three schools this fall. A final tour of Hammarskjold is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 1:15 p.m., and a Central tour is set for Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. The tours are open to the public, but interested persons must call ahead of time.

Magistro said a lack of space has resulted in the need to use classroom trailers at Hammarskjold and for instruction to take place in the hallways of the elementary schools. Also, the need for storage space has meant that stage areas are used for storage. This makes it hard to put on assemblies or use the district’s planetarium program, she said, noting that hallways are also used for storage.

Magistro’s presentation was accompanied by a slide show that revealed conditions at the affected schools versus those at Churchill Junior High School, which was the subject of the most recent East Brunswick referendum. The district aims to have all its schools eventually look like the modern and spacious junior high school.

The Dec. 14 referendum, which totals $106.1 million, is expected to be followed in two years by a second project involving additions and renovations at the remaining elementary schools in East Brunswick. That project would cost $54 million. The state will pick up a portion of the cost for both projects.