The City of Bayonne is moving forward with converting the former Holy Family Academy building into the new Head Start facility as “significant renovations” are now underway.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF), Bayonne’s community action agency, is overseeing the conversion of the former high school into the future location of
our local Head Start program,†Mayor Jimmy Davis said in a statement.
“We look forward to the completion of this work, which will enable this former high school facility to serve future generations of pre-Kindergarten students.â€
The news comes on the heels of U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) announcing last month that the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation would receive $1.5 million in federal funding.
“The staff at the BEOF have feverishly sought and obtained several capital improvement grants to assist with the renovation and repair of this facility. It is a very exciting time for the organization,” added BEOF Executive Director Samantha Howard.
Full asbestos remediation is taking place throughout the property. In addition, state-of-the-art electrical upgrades are currently being done throughout the building, according to city spokesman Joe Ryan.
Furthermore, the BEOF is continuing its efforts and its joint partnership with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to renovate the new school facility.
“The organization continues to seek out additional grant funding to cover the costs of classroom updates and improvements. This includes the replacement of all windows and doors in the school building to ensure the safety of our students.â€
These improvements are taking place as the BEOF continues their commemorative brick paver campaign in order for alumni to pay homage to the former all girls Catholic high school, located at 239 Avenue A.
City officials did not immediately respond to an inquiry about how much the renovations are expected to cost.
