TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today announced recommendations for school construction and renovation projects through the Schools Development Authority. The plan includes 10 recommended projects for 2011, according to a statement released by the governor's office. Under Christie's proposal, the Authority will approve school projects using a standardized selection process. The new review process will factor total project cost,...
Gov. Chris Christie laughs at a joke as he meets with members of his cabinet at the Statehouse.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today announced recommendations for school construction and renovation projects through the Schools Development Authority.
The plan includes 10 recommended projects for 2011, according to a statement released by the governor's office.
Under Christie's proposal, the Authority will approve school projects using a standardized selection process. The new review process will factor total project cost, cost per student and efficiency of construction, the statement said.
“The prior program was associated with the absolute worst kind of government waste, mismanagement and lack of supervision, where much was promised, too much was spent, but too little was returned,” Christie said in the statement. “I could not responsibly or in good conscience let that history repeat itself at this agency."
Christie's plan would also replicate designs in multiple school projects, which the administration says would result in an estimated savings of $4 million per project.
The Authority has been allocated an additional $100 million for emergent projects.
The agreement to construct or renovate 10 schools is far fewer than the 51 projects that had been approved before Christie took office and shelved by the governor last year.
The SDA includes 31 districts, including Newark, Phillipsburg and Elizabeth. The proposed list must be approved by the authority board at its next meeting in March.
The following school projects have been approved for 2011:
• Bridgeton – Cherry Street Elementary School
• Elizabeth – Academic Magnet High School
• Long Branch – Catrambone Elementary School
• Jersey City – PS 20 Elementary School
• Jersey City – Elementary School 3
• New Brunswick – A. Chester Redshaw Elementary School
• Newark – Oliver Street Elementary School
• Paterson – Marshall & Hazel Elementary School
• Paterson – PS Number 16 Elementary School
• West New York – Harry L. Bain Elementary School