Tech school gets state grants

SPARTA — Two state grants totaling $1.4 million for improvements at Sussex County Technical School were made public last week. One grant will be used for the school's auditorium, including replacement of the electrical system with a hot water heating system. The second grant will restore and repair the exterior of the auditorium and include repointing masonry, installation of masonry anchors, replacement of stone coping and modifications to the school roof. According to Anthony Macerino, interim superintendent/principal, the school “remains very grateful to the state, the Schools Development Authority (SDA) and Sussex County freeholders for their continued growing support of the school's budget and facilities.” He noted that its McNiece Auditorium is one of the largest auditoriums in northwest New Jersey and is a resource and is rented many weekends by private organizations. In addition to the grants announced, Sussex County Technical High School has been the beneficiary of six other SDA Regular Operating District (ROD) grants totaling nearly $650,000 in state funding since Jan. 2010. These grants included work to replace existing boilers and controls, replacement of kitchen electrical panels and HVAC equipment, connections to the municipal water system, replacement of the main electrical panel and upgrades to the telephone system. He said the balance of this project will be financed through the local budget and the freeholders. The work is expected to be completed by late summer or early fall. As most of the work is outside, with the exception of the heating, there will be no interruption of the school day.