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Schools

Cranford Thanks Garwood BOE for Use of Washington School

Cranford students are using the off-lined Washington School until flood damage is repaired.

Gayle Carrick, superintendent of Cranford schools, thanked the Garwood Board of Education for opening Washington School to Cranford students after flood damage hit Brookside Place School at this week's BOE meeting.

"A school is the greatest stability and in our time in need, we needed stability," Carrick said. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for opening your school to us."

First and second graders from the Brookside Place School started school at the Washington School and will be using the facility for two to four months, said superintendent of Garwood schools Theresa Quigley. 

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The Brookside Place School had extensive damage from Hurricane Irene, which flooded a large part of Cranford, knocking out power for days. 

The Cranford School District hired American Technologies Incorporated, out of California, specializing in disaster relief efforts to assist in reconstruction. In the meantime, Cranford is providing the custodial staff for Washington School for as long as they use the building.

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"We wanted to help a neighbor, and we sympathize with them," said Board President Adele Lewis. 

After Hurricane Irene hit Cranford, Carrick reached out to many towns with vacant facilities, and Garwood volunteered the Washington School, which has been off-line for the past year. 

An ad-hoc committee was formed to figure out what to do with the school, with renting it out as a fore-running alternative, but in Cranford's time of need, Garwood provided use of the facility.

"It's nice to know that even in very busy lives, people still take time to care for each other," Carrick said. "And the school is charming."

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