SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (SDA) FINALIZES EMERGENT REPAIRS AT
CRAMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CAMDEN, NJ

SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 – CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY – Today, New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) CEO Lizette Delgado Polanco, Camden Mayor Frank Moran and Acting Superintendent Katrina McCombs visited the Camden Cramer Elementary School, site of a $3.8 million emergent repair project to be completed this month. The school is located at 2800 Mickle Street.

"These repairs that we made to Cramer Elementary School will give young students a better, warmer learning environment," said Delgado Polanco. "This type of project shows the commitment of Governor Phil Murphy and the State of New Jersey to improving the quality of life of school children here in Camden and in other SDA Districts across the State."

Cramer Elementary School was built in 1914 and additions were made in 1922 and 1996. The building is 108,769 square-feet and accommodates 550 students in grades Pre-K through eight.

"For more than 100 years, Cramer Elementary School has been a hub of education and activity for students and families in East Camden," said Katrina McCombs, Acting Superintendent of the Camden Public School District. "The new windows and major capital investment made by the SDA will ensure this school continues to serve students and provide a high quality education for many more years to come."

In June 2017, the SDA awarded an approximately $1.3 million contract to T.N. Ward of Ardmore, PA to address water infiltration at the Camden Cramer Elementary School. Work included masonry repairs, brick replacement, repair and replacement of select windows, replacement of lintels, waterproofing the courtyard area and a minor roof replacement

During performance of the approved work, additional safety and other window conditions were identified. This included improperly installed windows, protection gates attached to the windows (causing the windows to become loosened from the structure) and many inoperable windows. As a result of this finding, the SDA approved a change order of $1.85 million in March 2018 to remove and replace approximately 360 windows at the school. This work was also managed by the SDA.

In addition to Cramer Elementary, the SDA is building a new Camden High School. To date, the SDA has invested more than $260 million in completed school projects in Camden. This includes four new schools, one demonstration project and 58 safety, emergent and grant projects.

Emergent Projects are those deemed necessary in SDA Districts due to potential health and safety issues. The Emergent Program provides assistance to SDA District school facilities in need of repair and rehabilitation. Examples of such projects are repair or replacement of roofs, windows, exterior masonry, heating and cooling stems, and plumbing, electrical, mechanical and security systems, and water infiltration issues. Emergent conditions differ from "Emergency" conditions or routine maintenance, which local school districts are responsible for addressing. The SDA is statutorily prohibited from funding conditions that are considered maintenance.

About the New Jersey Schools Development Authority

The SDA is the State agency responsible for fully funding and managing the new construction, modernization and renovation of school facilities projects in 31 SDA Districts. Its current portfolio of active projects is valued at approximately $2 billion – including the Capital Project portfolio, emergent projects and Regular Operating District grants. Since the program’s inception, the SDA has provided funding for and management oversight of more than 850 completed school facilities projects in SDA Districts and has executed more than 5,400 grants for Regular Operating Districts throughout the State of New Jersey. For more information about the SDA, please visit our website at: Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn; or Twitter.