Renovated Woodbridge Elementary Schools Reopen To Students

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Lafayette Estates School #25 and Matthew Jago School #28 opened the doors to their newly renovated learning centers with an official ribbon cutting ceremony this week.

In 2020, Woodbridge residents overwhelmingly passed a school district referendum that provided for major expansions and improvements to Matthew Jago School #28 in Sewaren and Lafayette Estates School #25 in Fords, two of the oldest school facilities in the district.

The referendum also provided funding for the connection of pod buildings at Kennedy Park School #24 in Iselin and Lynn Crest School #22 in Colonia and other major infrastructure improvements, enhanced school security and advanced technology throughout the district.

$16 million upgrades to Lafayette Estates School #25: Lafayette Estates School #25 received a 35,000-square-foot addition that consists of 18 classrooms, gym, cafeteria, multi-fixture restrooms and a nurse suite while also renovating 5,000 sf of the existing building. The school is transitioning the Multi-Purpose room into a Stem Lab and renovating the main office and security vestibule outfitted with high-security storefront and transaction window as a barrier between the public and the students and staff. The addition is geared to accommodate grades 1-5 and is fully air conditioned and heated throughout. This project also included a variety of site improvements including a bus loop turn around, new paved expanded parking lot as well as a storm water management system.

$9 million upgrades made to Matthew Jago School #28: Matthew Jago School #28 received a 25,000-square-foot addition that consists of eight classrooms, ot/pt room gym and two office suites. This addition was designed specifically with special services in mind. Each classroom has a restroom as well as overall multi-fixture restrooms and a dedicated family restroom with a shower. The HVAC system is specifically designed with the special services in mind being fully ducted RTU systems with vibration dampening to keep the rooms as quiet as possible, heating and cooling provided. Each classroom and office space has fully adjustable indirect lighting to provide the best environment for the students. While the specialty spaces are also fitted to accommodate the district desired equipment.

Present at the ribbon cutting were Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac and Superintendent Joseph Massimino, plus NJ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, principals of both schools, kids and their parents.

“These major school additions are a lasting legacy to our economic development efforts in Woodbridge where we generate millions of dollars in tax revenue from warehouses and invest those funds in our Township schools,” said Mayor McCormac. “Over a Ten-Year period from 2017 through 2026, we will have invested over $200 million in three brand new schools, two major renovations and additions (Lafayette Estates School #25 and Matthew Jago School #28), improved athletic facilities, enhanced technology and, perhaps most importantly, a significant sum in security to keep our students and faculty safe. Those funds come from new businesses in town and not our existing taxpayers but all of our residents get the benefit of improved property values because their neighborhood schools are newer and more attractive.”

“The Woodbridge Township School district is beyond proud of the additions and improvements at Lafayette Estates and Matthew Jago Elementary Schools as they facilitate environments that will help our students and staff flourish. We are grateful for efforts of the Board of Education and Mayor McCormac and his administration with these projects and would like to thank all of the parents and community members who continue to support improvements in our district,” said Superintendent Massimino.