District breaks ground on school renovations
Officials hope $5.5M project will be model for other schools
BY JAY BODAS
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff One of the major highlights of Principal Gerald Young's 52-year career in education is the construction recently begun at John Marshall Elementary School in Edison. The construction will add nine new classrooms, art and music rooms, and a new gymnasium and cafeteria.

EDISON - John Marshall Elementary School will soon be the recipient of an extreme makeover.

A one-year construction project valued at $5.5 million recently broke ground at the school, the purpose of which is to install additions including nine new classrooms, art and music rooms, as well as a new gymnasium and cafeteria, officials announced recently.

"This is an exciting day," said Principal Gerald Young on Nov. 20, when ground was broken for the project. "This is one of the first major additions to an elementary school in Edison and will be a model school in the township. It is one of the first that they will use as a model when working on other schools with their additions."

Young, who has been an educator in Edison for the past 50 years, said he considered this to be "one of the highlights" of his career.

Construction will be overseen by H&S Mechanical, based in Elizabeth.

The need for the new facilities is critical, officials said.

"We cannot use the library right now because we have two classrooms using that room," Young said. "Right now, our librarian, music and art teachers go around with a cart with books and equipment.

"One section of the gym is also being cordoned off for band," he said. "We also have instrumental music classes in our cafeteria and gym, which creates a conflict with lunch and gym classes. There are other schools in the district facing the same issues."

Construction is expected to be completed by Sept. 1 of next year, official said.

Schools superintendent Carol Toth said that the new additions were also needed to address increased school enrollment that is projected for the future.

"We are behind in our facilities in the elementary schools, and area housing construction has been creating an influx of students," Toth said.

The additions will not just fulfill essential school needs, they will also be aesthetically pleasing - Young said that the new cafeteria would resemble a "beautiful dining room."

"Along with a beautiful new gymnasium, the new lunchroom will make you think you're in a restaurant," he said. "There may be some rough days until it is all completed, but in the end it will be a beautiful structure."

The $5.5 million project has been planned since last year and is part of the 2006-07 budget, rather than being approved through a referendum, officials said.

"The budget was defeated, but the town council did not take it out of the budget and kept it as a model project," Young said.