Save Trenton High School

Save Money and SaveFace  

 

 

 

The Trenton Board of Education has decided that it is in the interest of the City and its students to demolish Trenton Central High School and replace it with two new high schools.  This is the wrong decision.  From what has been shared publicly, it appears that this decision was made without adequate analysis.  HereÕs the other side of the story.

It will cost the same to save Trenton High School as it will to replace it.  The School District is comparing a renovation plan for Trenton High School that will accommodate 3,100 students with a new construction plan that will accommodate fewer than 1,500 students and saying that renovation will cost more.  When compared using the state School Development CorporationÕs (SDA) own construction numbers and similar size buildings, the renovation option will cost about the same as the new construction option.  (see full analysis at www.trentonhistory.org)  DonÕt let the state continue to embarrass Trenton by bullying us into tearing down our landmark buildings over false numbers. According to SDAÕs own contract numbers, it costs less to renovate than to build new. 

Scrapping the existing renovation plans and starting over again with new designs will move Trenton to the back of the line for state funding.  The School District already has paid approximately $3 million dollars to develop renovation plans for Trenton High School and could be ready to submit these plans within weeks.  Moving forward with two new high schools will require significant time and expense to create plans, which will prevent the District from getting funding from the State any time soon.

Renovating Trenton High School will result in a state of the art facility that will last longer and be a better value to the community and the environment than building new.  Trenton High School has serviced the district for over 75 years even while being poorly maintained.  Due to the high quality of construction and materials used, it is estimated that following renovation the school will last at least another 75 years.  New construction projects have an approximate life expectancy of 35-50 years.  In the long-run, renovation is a more cost effective option from both a maintenance and replacement standpoint.

Saving this historic landmark compliments the CityÕs focus on its history as an important means to its revitalization.  The Mayor and City Council have repeatedly stated that our historic assets are key to TrentonÕs revitalization.  Trenton High School is one of the largest and most notable historic landmarks in the City.  It is a source of pride for the residents of Trenton and for both past and current students.  Though currently tarnished, it can shine again.

Decisions that have been made by the School District and State have already increased the cost of renovation and/or new construction by tens of millions of dollars.  If this project had started renovation three years ago when contract bids had been received, the students of Trenton would be going to school in a state of the art, historically renovated building that would have cost less then it will now.  LetÕs not make the same mistake again.  ItÕs time the citizens of Trenton speak up, save Trenton High and save the taxpayers from wasting more money.

What you can do . . .

Both meetings are at the Board of Education building at 108 N. Clinton Avenue

Trenton Board of Education.  Send emails to the Board Secretary prhoden@trenton.k12.nj.us and let her know you want your comments distributed to all the Board members: Joyce M. Kersey, Diane Campbell, Alexander Brown, Lucy Guzman, Lisa Kasabach, Harry Luna, Marcellus Smith, Donald Shelton, and Nicola Tatum.
Trenton City Council.  City Council passed a resolution in support of saving Trenton High School on January 17th.  Let them know we need their continued support. The resolution was introduced by Councilwoman Annette Lartigue, westwardcouncil@aol.com . Email addresses for other council members are:  Paul Pintella, pmpintella@aol.com; Gino Melone, gmelone@aol.com; Jim Coston, jim@southtrenton.com; Milford Bethea, mbethea@trenton.k12.nj.us ; Cordelia Staton, cstaton@trenton.k12.nj.us and Manuel Segura, (609) 989-3146.  Additional contact information for City Council can be found at www.trentonnj.org (Contact Information Ð scroll to City Council).
Mayor Douglas Palmer.  We need his help with the state to ensure Trenton gets what it deserves Ð now that all the suburbs have their new schools mayorsoffice@trentonnj.org
State School Development Authority (SDA).  They oversee the design and construction of schools.  Scott Weiner, Chief Executive Officer sweiner@njsda.gov or 609-943-5955
State Department of Education (DOE).  Along with the SDA, they determine which projects will get funding.  Lucille Davy, Commissioner (609) 292-4450
State Legislators.  They represent our interests at the state level.  Senator Shirley Turner (609)-530-3277, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (609) 292-0500, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (609)-292-0500.  For emails go through steps at www.njleg.state.nj.us

For more information, go to www.TrentonHistory.org .  This effort is being organized by the Trenton Historical Society, the Trenton Preservation Committee, the Trenton High School Alumni Association and dozens of individual Trenton residents and tax payers just like you.