LONG BRANCH — Plans are under way for construction of the new Elberon Elementary School, which is slated to open 2011.
The new school will replace the existing elementary school building on Park Avenue, which was constructed in 1969. Demolition of the old building is expected to start in the spring.
“A new Elberon School will complement our city portfolio of modern state-ofthe art educational learning centers,” said Joseph M. Ferraina, superintendent of schools.
Ferraina stated that over the last few years, the district has undertaken a multitude of new facility projects and improvements to existing schools.
The new school will be 108,786 square feet, with a total of 58 classrooms to house approximately 784 students from pre-K to fifth grade.
In an effort to involve families, employees and the community in the design and construction of the new school, officials of the Long Branch Public School system held a School Community Facilities Advisory Board meeting Aug. 14. The community meeting was held at the Long Branch High School to discuss the new Elberon School Facility Project. The project is funded and managed via the New Jersey School Development Authority (SDA) and the Department of Education.
Becica Associates LLC was awarded the design contract of the new school, and, according to a press release, the residential friendly exterior school design will have two floors of classrooms with a media center, gymnasium, physical therapy room, and auditeria, technology discovery center, as well as music and art rooms.
Ferraina noted that one of the unique designs of the new school is an outdoor theater.
“The back of the stage will open to an outdoor amphitheater-type setup,” Ferraina said. “Presentations can be held outdoors as well as inside.
“I can’t thank enough the governor, the Department of Education as well as the SDA for finding the funding and providing the residents of Long Branch with modern educational facilities,” Ferraina added.