New building may replace Carver school

By John Zucal , Managing Editor
Another new building may come to East Orange's schools if the recommendation of a feasibility study is accepted today by a state board.
The George Washington Carver Institute, which has stood vacant since 2006, would be replaced by a new building if the board of the Schools Development Authority follows the findings of a study which included a comparison of costs between a new building and a expansion-and-renovation project. According to the study, a new building would cost $5.3 million less than the latter option. The board is expected to decide about granting a charter, which would give approval to the project, for a new building. The board is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. in Trenton.
The school was included in the authority's July 2008 capital plan. At the time, the cost was estimated at $35.4 million. Sixteen months later, the projected cost has increased to $41.3 million.
District officials said they asked the authority to permit a new building. Carver students were moved to the Glenwood Campus in 2006 after mold was found within the 117-year-old building.
“We asked them to review the project and give us a new building,” Superintendent Clarence Hoover said Tuesday. “Carver is beyond renovation. It has been vacant too long, and they have agreed to place it on the agenda.”

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