Governor Recommends Construction of New Long Branch School

The long-awaited construction of the George L. Catrambone Elementary School in Long Branch may be starting soon.

On Tuesday, Gov. Chris Christie recommended the advancement of the construction of the school after reviewing the Schools Development Authority (SDA) construction program. The construction of the school is one of 10 recommended school expansion and improvement projects for 2011, representing a state investment of almost $584 million.

The project had been on hold pending a review by the SDA and Department of Education. Long Branch Superintendent of School Joseph Ferraina said he is pleased with the decision to push the school's construction forward.

"We are extremely happy and grateful to Gov. Christie, Marc Larkins, (CEO of the SDA) and the New Jersey Department of Education for selecting the George L. Catrambone Elementary School,” said Ferraina. “We look forward to working with the governor’s staff at the SDA to begin this exciting project.”

The Elberon Elementary School at 240 Park Ave., which was built in 1969, had been demolished to make room for Catrambone Elementary School. 

According to a release, the two-story school will have 28 first- through fifth-grade classrooms, 10 preschool classrooms and seven kindergarten classrooms. In addition, the 109,000-plus square foot building will house a media center, gym, auditorium, technology discovery center, computer lab, science exploration center, a music room and an art room.

The school will have a student capacity of 784 students and will have an estimated construction cost of $32 million and take 24 months to complete, according to the release.

“This state-of-the-art facility will bring the most advanced technological advances, including smart boards in every classroom to help future generations of students prepare for our more technologically-savvy era,” Ferraina said.

The school will be named after the former assistant superintendent of schools, George L. Catrambone, who retired last year.

“George was instrumental in the design and document review of previous construction projects,” Ferraina said. “It is a wonderful day for the residents of Long Branch. We expect to have a groundbreaking ceremony shortly.”

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