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Board OKs one-year ECDC lease extension, cites six-figure savings
Summary
The Hackensack Board of Education approved a renewal of the Early Childhood Development Center lease with Saint Francis Church through June 30, 2027, reducing the districtmonthly rent and shifting utilities and major repairs to lower the districtcosts during a budget shortfall.
The Hackensack Board of Education voted on June 16 to renew its lease with Saint Francis Church for use of the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) through June 30, 2027, a move board leaders said secures preschool stability while the district plans student and staff transitions.
Board President Jennifer Harris presented the terms of the renewal, saying the agreement cuts the boardmonthly rent to $28,152.50 and splits utilities with the church, a change she described as part of a package of cost reductions. "This renegotiation of our ECDC lease has resulted in at least $400,000 in additional savings," Harris said. The agreement also reduces the districtresponsibility for major building repairs and eliminates mandatory custodial overtime costs tied to the site, she added.
Administration told the board the timeline gives the district until June 2027 to develop a transition plan for preschool students and staff and to return preschool programming to district schools when feasible. Vice President Kenny Martin, who moved the facilities motion, noted the board negotiated a cap on district repair exposure: under the renewal the board is responsible only for the first $5,000 of needed repairs.
Supporters of the renewal framed it as a pragmatic short-term step to preserve services while the district addresses a larger budget deficit. During the boarddiscussion, trustees thanked the administration and the districtlegal team for renegotiating terms that reduce near‑term taxpayer costs. The motion passed in a roll-call vote.
