Woodbridge Township – On Wednesday, August 14th construction of the Avenel Street School redevelopment project was set in motion with a groundbreaking ceremony lead by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joseph Massimino. The project funded by the school district’s voter approved 2020 bond referendum will address the two school buildings on the site.

School No. 4, the district’s oldest school built in 1912 will be razed, and School No. 5, which was built next door in 1948 will get what Woodbridge Township’s Mayor John E. McCormac has called “a complete makeover”. Once complete the school will have 10 additional classrooms, a new gymnasium, new cafeteria, media center, administrative offices, and a large interior courtyard for students to safely enjoy.

The main entrance will be moved from the Avenel Street side of the existing building to the new addition, providing an improved and safer student drop off and pickup location. The redevelopment project will also address School No. 5’s aging building systems including a new façade, energy efficient lighting, HVAC system, fire alarms, sprinkler system, and the school’s public address system.

The project will take place in phases to minimize disruption to students and school operations and is scheduled to be completed by August 2026.

Joining Dr. Massimino, and Mayor John E. McCormac, at the groundbreaking was Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Councilwoman Lizbeth DeJesus, Council Vice President Cory S. Spillar, School Board President Daniel Harris, School Board Members Susan boudin, Jenny Perez, and Jonathan Triebwasser, along with Partner of Parette Somjen Architects, William Bannister, AIA, and representatives from Benjamin R. Harvey Construction.