The Trenton Times published the following article on January 23, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
Dilapidated Trenton Central High School would be replaced, rather than repaired, under new Schools Development Authority plan
By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton
on January 23, 2014 at 10:20 AM, updated January 23, 2014 at 10:48 AMTRENTON – The new state Schools Development Authority chief said he will make an appeal to the Trenton school board on Monday seeking support for a new school to replace Trenton Central High School.
“After reviewing the pending plans for major rehabilitation, I have determined and will recommend that the better course is to build a new school that retains some of the iconic elements of the existing building that will provide the 21st-century learning environment that is required to meet the educational needs of the students,” said Charles McKenna, who was recently appointed executive director of the SDA, in a statement.
The SDA has not pinpointed a cost for the new construction project. Because Trenton is a low-income urban school district, formerly classified as an Abbott district by the state, the SDA would cover 100 percent of the project cost. In 2008 the SDA had estimated a project to repair or replace the school would cost $150 million. That project was taken off the table in 2010 when Gov. Chris Christie came into office.