Officials Still Hope To Renovate Old Long Branch High School

The old Long Branch High School remains an important part of the district's plans.

After the new high school opened in 2007, Long Branch education officials had hoped to use the original high school, built in 1924, to house the district’s alternative education program for 124 students with behavioral problems and learning disabilities.

However, that building needs renovations that could cost as much as $2 million. The district has applied for New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) funding for the project, but has not yet received approval from Trenton.

Long Branch School District Superintendent Michael Salvatore said the project has "stalled."

"The old high school was a project the state committed to renovating a few years back," Salvatore said. "After the completion of our new high school, the state coordinated the removal of asbestos and the old science wing, which allowed for the final phase of site completion, our new stadium."

"It is no secret that this board is dedicated to bringing the old high school to life," Salvatore continued. "So the district is communicating with the state to fulfill their original commitment when the next round of projects are released."

The district is currently paying $5,500 per month to lease space at the old Holy Trinity School on Division Street for the alternative education program.

Salvatore said he is still happy that the SDA's priority list included the soon-to-be-built .

"The state has expressed a real interest in students’ needs, which includes new facilities and renovations in Long Branch," Salvatore said. "We are grateful for the positive relationship we have built and the open communication that exist regarding what matters most, Long Branch’s children."

The state has not listed any timeline for when, or if, it will approved other SDA projects.

(Reporter Joe Malinconico contributed to this story.)