Interesting views on the future of our grade schools here on LBI. Quoted from the LBI Schools Update facebook page.
“Dear Community Members of LBI:
Do we really need more houses on Long Beach Island? Do we really want to bulldoze another historic landmark? Do we really want the only green space in Ship Bottom to disappear? The LBI Board of Education will make this decision soon – very soon!
The LBI BOE voted to consolidate and sell the LBI Grade School in 2011. This decision has come under question since Superstorm Sandy and the restoration of the LBI Grade School. Should the schools still consolidate
The options are:
Keep the EJ School and add an addition ($11-12 million) by selling the LBI Grade School.
Keep the LBI School and add an addition ($6-7 million) by selling the EJ School.
Keep both Schools and repair ($4-5 million) them up to current standards.
Ship Bottom Borough and Long Beach Township have enacted resolutions to oppose selling the LBI Grade School. Regardless, it remains for sale. The public has been told that there is a bidder. Sale of the LBI Grade School and its land seem imminent despite opposition.
The bidder remains anonymous until after the sale is complete. The public has no voice or choice. The LBI BOE can act independently and sell to anyone regardless of the repercussions to the community.
LBI Grade School is a historic landmark in a park-like setting that everyone can use with a playground, basketball courts and ballpark.
The LBI BOE meets at the EJ School located at 200 S. Barnegat Ave, Surf City, NJ on June 2, 2015 at 7:00 pm and June 16, 2015 at 7:00 pm.
Please come and save a historic landmark, save a school, save a green space, ask questions, demand answers and make a difference for the community and for the island”.