"Teachers in the new center feel they have gone to heaven."
-- Dr. Edward F. Gola, Jr., Burlington City Superintendent of Schools
In late May of 2002, New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey broke ground on the
first new facility funded through his state's historic $8.6 billion educational
facilities capital improvement program. Within eight months, construction was
complete using modular technology. In early January of this year, 188
pre-school students and their teachers moved into the sparkling new Early
Childhood Development Center at the Samuel Smith Elementary School in
Burlington City. The single-story, twelve-classroom facility embodies
thoughtful design and uncompromising quality.
 "Modular technology enabled us to
build offsite without disrupting the ongoing educational process at the
adjoining elementary school," said Robert Brehm, PE, senior vice president at
Kullman Industries, Inc., manufacturer of the factory-built modules.
"We constructed the units in our plant, carried out most of the site work during
summer vacation, and finished the interior in the fall," said Brehm. "The
children in the elementary school were able to learn without disruption and
move into a furnished new school upon returning from their holiday break--right
on schedule."
"The Burlington City School District's leadership and the New Jersey School
Construction Corporation (NJSCC) deserve tremendous credit for establishing the
process that delivered this facility," Brehm added. "Their openness to
modular construction made this remarkable story possible."
Bill Ryan, who served as the Burlington School District's business administrator
during the planning process, recalls, "The Early Childhood Learning Center was
an urgent priority for the community. We wanted it built as soon as
possible. But we took the time to research both the modular method and
specific vendors. We went to look at a five year old early-childhood
center built with modular technology in Paterson. When we heard rave
reviews about the quality of construction from the teachers and staff there, we
knew the approach could work for us."
The building was bid as a modular facility to meet the challenges of working on
the site and compressed schedule for completion. But the structure's
design did not compromise on architectural complexity or quality.
"This building is as sophisticated and well-designed as any conventionally
constructed school," Brehm says.
The 17,000 square foot facility was built in a factory as two wings.
Representatives of the NJSCC and the Burlington City School Board were able to
walk through and inspect the entire project complete with interior masonry
walls, mechanical systems, and poured concrete sub-floors. Then, the
structure was separated into 32 steel-frame modules and shipped to the site.
Natural light now enters the classrooms through large bay windows at a "kid
friendly" height. Each room has built-in cubbyholes and matching maple
cabinetry--all custom designed for the project.
"That's the most impressive thing to me. The care taken to customize the
furnishings and decor is amazing," says Bill Ryan.
 Sound attenuation design
was used to shield students from the high decibel levels often found in our
school corridors. The concrete sub-floors and acoustic ground faced block
in the hallways create a quiet learning environment.
"Our educational clients don't care whether their building is constructed on- or
off-site," Brehm acknowledged. "However, they demand extremely rapid
construction to dovetail with their academic calendars without sacrificing any
of the design attributes associated with high quality on-site
construction. Modular technology gives them the best of both
worlds--sophisticated, high quality buildings completed in a matter of months,
not years."
The New Jersey School Construction Corporation, which oversees the State's
school construction initiative, believes that modular technology has an
important role to play in New Jersey's construction program.
Jerry Murphy, managing director of policy and communication for the NJSCC, says
that "the NJSCC is looking at many different approaches to expedite the
construction of New Jersey schools. Modular construction has shown that
it can deliver quality buildings very fast."
Dr. Edward F.Gola, Jr., superintendent of schools for Burlington City, summed it
up best, "Our new center is a wonderful place to teach and learn. Teachers in
the new center feel they have gone to heaven."
He adds, "Teachers who work in other schools are very jealous. The Early
Childhood Center is a homerun with the Board of Education, community, and
staff. We welcome anyone to visit our center to see first hand what a
wonderful facility it is for preschool children."
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