Students, Parents To See Shift In Transportation Around Cranford Schools

CRANFORD, NJ - Cranford parents and students will have to navigate through a number of transportation adjustments when the 2025-2026 school year begins on Sept. 4.

Construction at multiple schools approved in a Jan. 2024 bond referendum is bringing changes to how visitors can access the buildings this fall. The district is working with the Cranford Police Department to ensure safe and smooth processes are in place at drop-offs and other sites used daily.

"While we are excited about the long-term benefits these improvements will bring to our facilities, we recognize the short-term challenges they may pose, particularly in terms of parking and traffic flow around our schools," added Superintendent Scott Rubin.

Schools Affected

"Bloomingdale Avenue School (BAS)
● Drop-off and pick-up: Haskins Ave. and Albany Ave.
● Kindergarten: Drop-off/pick-up in the half-circle driveway with staff assistance
● Staff parking (with BAS-issued decals): • 12 spots on BAS property • 10 spots in the graveled area along Bloomingdale Ave. • Remaining parking along Bloomingdale Ave. in front of the school (excluding the area between the half-circle driveway)

Brookside Place School (BPS)
● Drop-off and pick-up: Brookside Place and Spruce St.
● Staff parking (with BPS-issued decals): • Willow St. • Beech St. • Brown Terrace

Walnut Avenue School (WAS)
● Drop-off and pick-up: Walnut Ave. and Denman Rd., with grade-specific locations
● Staff parking (with WAS-issued decals): • 60 spaces in the Denman Rd. lot, designated as “Staff Only" "

The measures in place are subject to change throughout the year. Anyone requesting assistance or with other concerns should contact their school's principal directly for more information.

These adjustments come after the approval of the Jan. 23, 2024 Bond Referendum set off a handful of construction projects throughout the district that are beginning at different points over the next few years:

Scheduled to begin this summer, and expected to be completed this fall:

• Lincoln School: Bathroom renovations, Window replacements
• High School: Bathroom renovations, Window replacements, Elevator replacement
• Orange Avenue: Bathroom renovations
• Hillside Avenue: Bathroom renovations

Scheduled to begin, but are not expected to be completed until Summer 2026:

• Brookside Place: Addition, Media center renovation, Music room renovation, Multi-purpose room air conditioning replacement, Window replacement
• Bloomingdale Avenue: Addition, Media center renovation, Music room renovation, Multi-purpose room air conditioning replacement, Window replacement
• Walnut Avenue: Addition, Media center and Music room renovation, Multi-purpose room air conditioning replacement, Window replacement
• Hillside Avenue: Addition
• Electrical service upgrades at all schools, except the High School

Scheduled to begin in Summer 2026:

• Hillside Avenue: Mill and repave parking lot, STEAM classroom renovations, Culinary Arts classroom renovations
• Orange Avenue: STEAM classroom renovations, Culinary Arts classroom renovations
• Livingston Avenue: Media center renovation, Music room renovation, Multi-purpose room air conditioning replacement, Window replacement, Unit ventilator upgrades

The total estimated cost for these projects is $75 million, with $19.6 coming from state aid. The balance is funded locally by property tax bill increases that cover this year's third quarter. The approval of the 2024 bond referendum, implementation of the state's new Tax Levy Incentive Aid program, and the increase in the district's operating budget for the 2025-2026 school year are all contributing.

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