Construction work set for Crossroads North

Expansion of middle school is getting underway.

By: Bill Greenwood
   The school district has begun construction on a $3.2 million project meant to relieve pressure at middle schools.
   D Construction, of Bayonne, N.J., broke ground for an addition to Crossroads North Middle School on Nov. 6, according to Business Administrator Anthony Tonzini. It will be 10,900 square feet and consist of five general classrooms, one science classroom and two small-group instructional rooms.
   "The addition should provide the middle schools with some parity and a more equal distribution of the student population within our middle school environment," Mr. Tonzini said in an e-mail. "It will provide for another unit within Crossroads North, and it will relieve some of the pressure on Crossroads South in terms of the facility."
   The addition is scheduled to be completed Aug. 15. It is expected to open on Sept. 1, according to Mr. Tonzini.
   The addition will be attached to the back, right side of the building, he said.
   The construction is part of the third stage of a December 2003 referendum that approved the use of $46.32 million, $33.12 million of which came from taxpayers, for renovations and upgrades at five elementary schools and the two middle schools. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning work also will be done in the gymnasiums for Crossroads North and South as part of the third phase.
   The first phase included additions and renovations to Greenbrook and Brunswick Acres schools in 2004-2005. The second stage saw Constable, Cambridge and Monmouth Junction schools receive additions and renovations in 2005-2006.