Four Camden schools to close at the end of the academic year
The cash-strapped district also disclosed plans to eliminate or consolidate an estimated 150 jobs.
The doomed schools Henry C. Sharp Elementary and Alfred Cramer Preparatory School in East Camden; Ulysses Wiggins School in Bergen Square, and Yorkship Family School in Fairview are all in dire need of structural repair, said Superintendent Katrina McCombs, and are on average 30 percent below optimal enrollment.
McCombs also cited a projected $40 million budget shortfall for the 2021-22 school year and a $4 million decline this year in state aid as reasons for the closures.
The closures, McCombs said, come because we don t want this burden to fall on taxpayers, and we can t always rely on emergency (state) aid.
The schools closing will be Wiggins, Sharp, Cramer, and Yorkship schools.
The announcement from the district stated there has been a six month, long-term school planning process to shift students into higher-quality and newer facilities. Ultimately, district officials said this will put them on a path to long-term financial success.
Currently, the district announced it has a projected $40 million deficit in fiscal year 2022, and every year going forward.
Over a decade the school district is looking at a budget deficit that exceeds $400 million.
The district said three of the four buildings are more than 100 years old, and all four buildings are in need of structural repair. On average, the schools are 30% empty, enrollment in the district has declined by nearly 50% since 2013.
Updated on January 26, 2021 at 10:05 pm
NBC Universal, Inc.
Four schools in the Camden City school district will close their doors for good this year, as part of a plan to deal with a $40 million deficit.
The Sharp School, Cramer School, Wiggins School and Yorkship School will all close in June. Three of the four buildings are more than 100 years old while all four buildings are in need of structural repair, school district officials said.
Download our mobile app for iOS
to get alerts for local breaking news and weather.
“Our students are entitled to the best facilities, education, and support,” Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs said. “It is my mission as Superintendent to place students in schools that give them the best opportunity to succeed. Many of our older buildings are deteriorating, while we have space available in our newer district facilities. With the plan and support we are outlining today, the Camden City School District is taking another step
N.J. city to shutter 4 old schools in major district consolidation
Updated Jan 26, 2021;
Posted Jan 26, 2021
Harry C. Sharp Elementary School in Camden is one of four schools in the district that will close at the end of the year.Google Maps
Facebook Share
Four of Camden’s older schools will close at the end of this year as part of the district’s consolidation plan, educators announced Tuesday.
Harry C. Sharp Elementary School, Cramer School, Wiggins School, and the Yorkship Family School will be shuttered at the end of the school year, school officials at the state-run district said. Three of the four buildings are over 100 years old and all four are in need of structural repair, they said.