SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Camden City School District’s superintendent said she is closing four schools at the end of the school year as part of a reorganization plan unveiled Tuesday.
As first reported by KYW Newsradio, The schools include Harry C. Sharp Elementary, Yorkship Family, Alfred Cramer College Preparatory Lab, and U.S. Wiggins College Preparatory Lab.
Many of the schools’ facilities are in “deplorable condition,” according to the district. Some restrooms are in “unacceptable” states. There are hazardous structural issues and limited air conditioning and heating. Some water fountains do not work, and bottled water has to be brought it.
Three of the four schools are more than 100 years old, and all of them need extensive renovations.
“We don’t have the funds in our budget or our rainy day fund in order to meet these needs that keep getting worse and worse and worse,” said Superintendent Katrina McCombs.
A lot of thought and analysis went into her decision, she said, including a six-month audit, which found each building requires about $10 million in repairs. Meanwhile, other suitable district spaces have gone unused.
“On average, our schools are about 30% empty, which means for every dollar we spend in these schools, 30 cents is going to waste,” McCombs explained. “This consolidation plan will allow us to place students in newer, sturdier district schools.”
Some students may require transportation to their new school, and McCombs ensured transportation will be provided for all students to and from school, including afterschool activities.
The district said it will reach out to all impacted families.
McCombs acknowledged the reorganization plan eliminates about 150 jobs in the district. Staffing details are still being worked out.
All current Cramer students (K-6) will attend Henry H. Davis Family School next year.
Sharp students in grades K-5 will go to Veterans Memorial Family School, while sixth- through eighth-graders will attend Davis.
K-5 Wiggins students will go to Forest Hill, and grades 6-8 will go to Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy.
And for Yorkship, K-2 students will go to R.T. Cream Early Childhood Center, 3-5 to H.B. Wilson Family School, and 6-8 to the Morgan Village Academy.