GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (MARCH 2011)(CNBNEWS)The rumors about the Highland Park School, Park Avenue and Highland Blvd., being closed are true, according to Gloucester City School Supt. Paul Spaventa. The gossip about this school have been circulating throughout the City since March. Why a formal announcement about the closing to the residents of the community was never released is unknown.
On Thursday (April 21) Spaventa said “Highland Park School will be closing but the Program for Success and Adult Night School will remain intact. Exact arrangements for accommodations of the programs are taking place and not finalized.”
Spaventa was asked if this move was done to save taxpayers money; and will the building be sold? “The Board of Education has not officially stated their plans for the building but we will be closing it over the summer. I would imagine an offer would not be turned down! The conservative estimate of savings on the building is approximately $110,000. We are not replacing Martin O’Connor but reallocating administrative duties. That saves an additional $144,000.”
In a letter sent to parents of those students on March 23 HP Principal Victoria C-Ernst said, “Starting in September 2011, the Highland Park Program for Success will be located in C-Wing of the Gloucester City Jr.Sr. High School. The unique structure and family like qualities of our program will remain the same, only the location is changing.
“For those students who utilize our Teddy Bear Care, rest assure that the daycare will still be a very important part of our program.
The move to the high school offers the 45 students who go to classes at the HP school access to wireless internet, computer access, library and gymnasiums said Ernst. The program at HP has been
The Highland Park School was one of four Neighborhood Schools to be closed as a result of the District coming under Abbott in 1991 or thereabout. Gloucester City is one of 31 Abbott Districts in the state. They were created in 1985 as a result of the first ruling of Abbott v. Burke, a case filed by the Education Law Center.
Because the City is an Abbott District State taxpayers paid for the construction of the Cold Springs Elementary School, the Cold Springs Pre-School, along with the new gym and media center at the high school. Taxpayers also pickup the tab to bring the Highland Park School up to code which cost several million dollars.
State taxpayers paid $5 million to update the Highland Park School.