Wayne district partners with county for school upgrades
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE - The school distinct is planning a multimillion-dollar project to expand the early childhood center, crating opportunists for a growing population of 3- and 4-year-old students.
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The expansion will occur within the oldest portion of the early childhood center, which has not been used as classrooms by the district since the end of the 1976 school year.
..... Schools Superintendent David Cittadino said the project to improve the redbrick building represents a "commitment to our youngest learners and their families."
..... "By increasing our capacity," Cittadino said, "We're
ensuring that more children in our community have access to high- quality preschool education in an inclusive, modern and developmentally appropriate environment."
..... At a special meeting on October 16, [2025] the Board of Education is expected to award a $5.85 million contract for the project to ML Incorporated of Passaic. the expansion will include eight renovated classrooms; a pair of rooms for instruction of small groups; a cafeteria, with an attached kitchen; and a teachers; lounge. in addition, a new - and safer - lobby will be constructed between the wings of the building.
..... Cittadino said the expansion will support early intervention services, individual institution and smaller class sizes, "helping to build a strong academic and social foundation for every child. Its design, hes aid, "prioritizes accessibility, safety and flexibility, reflecting the district's long-term visions for student success."
..... The 101-year-old schoolhouse at 1006 Hamburg Turnpike has a total enrollment of 177, according to the latest viable state data. The district reopened classrooms their in September 2020, after the closing of the public library annex.
..... The improvements come a little more than a year and a half after voters rejected a $169.8 bond proposal, which would have included a $44.9 million additions to the Early Childhood Cater at Preakness School.
..... The updated project, now pared back significantly, is being financed through an agreement with the Passaic County Improvement Authority.
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Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation in January 2024 to permit the sale of bonds for school facilities work without voter approval - reversing an established practice that forced districts to conduct referendums. The bill was amended in September 2024.
..... The five-member improvement authority voted to issue $10 million in bonds to cover the cost of the Preakness School expansion, which will be leased to the county and subleased to the district.
..... Trustees received a $5 million state grant to be applied to the project. The total cost of the expansion, including engineering expenses is :not expected to exceed" $15 million, said a resolution passed by the school board to approve the agreement with the improvement authority.
..... Meeting minutes of the improvement minutes of the improvement authority for August 27 [2025] show that the project is expected to be completed within a year. The annual tax impact for average property owners, with homes assessed at $231,227, will be a 420 increase.
..... The Little Falls K-8 district recently tapped the improvement authority for assistance in financing a $44.9 million project, which encompasses upgrades at all three of its schools.
..... Like the Wayne district, Little Falls suffered defeat at the polls - failing to win over voters in December 2021 and again in December 2022. School officials were prepared to try a third time before learning about the chance to partner with the improvement authority.