The following is a letter from the School Development Authority dated September 9, 2014. The letter was addressed to every Board of Education Member, the Interim Superintendent, Board Secretary and the Executive Director of the HACPA.

Re: Perth Amboy High School

Permit me to introduce myself. I am the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA). As I am sure you are aware, Perth Amboy was identified in the 2012 NJSDA capital plan as a district experiencing overcrowding at all grade levels. At the NJSDA we are attempting to alleviate that overcrowding. Indeed, we are presently finalizing plans for a new elementary school on Seaman Avenue.

There is also a real overcrowding problem at the high school level in Perth Amboy. One of the major encumbrances to our being able to build a new high school is the lack of an acceptable parcel of land on which to build. We have been unable to find an acceptable parcel and frankly it has held up our forward progress in this area which is particularly frustrating given the need for a new high school in your City.

The only viable parcel of land that we are aware of at the NJSDA is a parcel that is owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Perth Amboy (HACPA). It is a 11.7 acre parcel on Convery Blvd. (State Highway Route 35) that is a portion of the former Delaney Homes Public Housing Community. There have apparently been negotiations about this property being used for a school as far back as 2002. However no deal was ever struck. I was informed that recently the HACPA issued a Request for Proposals for commercial center development for the property.

I am informed that the Board of Education has a fund of money with which to purchase land upon which we would build a high school. I am further informed that the HACPA is close to coming to terms with a commercial interest to develop that parcel. Were that to happen, any plans for a high school would be put off indefinitely while an acceptable parcel of land is located, purchased and developed. The SDA is ready to make a substantial investment in a new high school for Perth Amboy that would accommodate approximately 2500 students. However, we will need the Board to finalize the purchase of the Delaney parcel from the HACPA before anything can happen.

Were we to be able to build a new high school, the present high school could be utilized as a middle school and with the building of the Seaman Avenue elementary school that we will be delivering we could substantially address the overcrowding in one of the most overcrowded SDA districts in the State. Thus, the time to act is now. If this opportunity passes us by the children of Perth Amboy will be the worse for it.

I believe that this opportunity to turn that 11.7 acre parcel of land into a first-rate high school for the children of Perth Amboy is vital to future generations. I ask that you agree to meet with me so that we can discuss this. I would be more than happy to make a presentation at a Board meeting but time is of the essence. Please have your office contact my assistant Lori Alvarez at (609)858-5338 so that we can meet.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter.

Very truly yours,
Charles B. McKenna