Is This Atlantic City, N.J. Public School About To Close?

An Atlantic City Board of Education Member and numerous Atlantic City Public Schools employees have told us that a decision to close one of their elementary schools is imminent.

Substantial seven figures of taxpayer dollars were spent about a decade ago on The Brighton Avenue School.

We learned long ago from then Atlantic City Board of Education President John Devlin that the Brighton Avenue as School is the oldest school in Atlantic County.

The building is beautiful and has such character, as did all of the original Atlantic City Public Schools.

Here is a look (directly below) of the Brighton Avenue School. What a fantastic looking neighborhood school this is.

We have learned that Barry Caldwell is leading the charge to close the Brighton Avenue School. This is ironic, in that Caldwell was directly responsible for the elaborate renovations that were done in the 2011-2012 era.

The issue appears to be asbestos related. Didn’t Caldwell know about asbestos back in 2011-2012?

Caldwell was the assistant superintendent in those days. He later became the superintendent of public schools and retired.

Now, he has been brought back by current Superintendent, La’Quetta Small and hired to be Director of Operations.

In records that we examined from the year 2021, the Brighton Avenue School had between 315 and 330 students, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

The mission of the Brighton Avenue School is:

“To encourage and develop excellence of students and staff. We will provide a safe and supportive environment while implementing research based best practices and the use of technology. It is our goal to empower all students with the knowledge, skills, and integrity needed to contribute and succeed as responsible, lifelong learners in a competitive global community.”

It is the vision of the Brighton Avenue School:

“To have each and every student achieve to his or her individual potential in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. We will endeavor to become a learning community committed to excellence, where all students, teachers, and parents grow to their full potential and help others do the same.”

This is a developing story.