Planning Board Meeting
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I’m writing to you because the Little Ferry School District needs your support as we strive to elevate our school district to prepare students for the rigors and challenges of the future.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Borough Hall Court Chambers at 7:30 PM, on behalf of the Little Ferry Board of Education, I will be presenting our district’s plan to build a new elementary school at the Little Ferry Planning & Zoning Board Meeting. Unveiling our design for our new facility is the FIRST MAJOR STEP in a comprehensive process through which we need your support all along the way. Please keep in mind that this process is mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education in order to submit the project for their approval.
As you know, in June of last year, the Board of Education voted to close Washington School after part of a classroom ceiling fell. Then, engineers discovered that more ceilings were also compromised throughout the building. This issue was added to other problems including asbestos within the walls, an antiquated electrical system,
and a basement and gym that were prone to flooding.
In September of 2018, it was necessary to install 16 modular classrooms in the rear of Memorial School in order to ensure our students could start this school year on time and be in a safe educational environment.
After months of due diligence involving speaking to experts and reviewing data and plans, the Board of Education decided that as much as we have a deep respect for our historic Washington School building, that it would be too costly and ineffective to renovate it. Despite its great years of service to the Little Ferry community, it’s time for a new school building.
If we are fortunate enough to have our new facilities plan approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, then the next step is to get it approved by the public through an election. Therefore, we cannot act on this urgent issue without your collaboration.
Please keep checking our website and your local news outlets for updated information on this important issue. This year, we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Little Ferry and we are proud of our history. Just as our forefathers acted then to ensure all children have access to a quality education; now it’s our turn to act to secure our community and our nation’s exceptional future for the next 125 years.
Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and teamwork as we navigate this complicated process. I look forward to working with you on behalf of the children of Little Ferry.
Sincerely,
Frank R. Scarafile
Superintendent of Schools