Remarks from the President

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

The Hackensack Board of Education is pleased to share an update regarding the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC).

Following productive discussions with church leadership, the District and church have reached an agreement allowing ECDC to remain in its current location through June 30, 2027, at which time the lease will conclude. This timeline provides the District with the necessary time to thoughtfully plan for a smooth transition of students and staff to future locations.

This agreement is particularly significant because the District first entered into a lease with ECDC in 2013 with the understanding that the location would serve as a temporary home for our early childhood students. What was intended to be a short-term solution ultimately became a long-term arrangement spanning more than a decade. During that time, the District invested millions of taxpayer dollars into the facility to support the educational needs of our youngest learners. Today, we are finally able to establish a clear path toward the conclusion of this longstanding agreement and begin planning for the next chapter of early childhood education in Hackensack. 

Equally important, the agreement delivers significant savings for taxpayers, including:

• A 50% reduction in rent, saving more than $337,000.
• A reduction in utility costs from 90% to 50%, saving an estimated $30,000.
• Reduced responsibility for major building repairs, including roof and plumbing projects that will now be largely covered by the church.
• The elimination of mandatory custodial overtime costs.

Families and staff can be assured that this additional year ensures stability for the 2026–2027 school year while also allowing the District time to develop a comprehensive transition plan. By June 2027, the District will have a clear and supported plan in place for students, families, and staff moving forward.

As we have previously stated, the Board and Administration are committed to identifying additional cost-savings opportunities whenever possible. This renegotiation of our ECDC lease has resulted in at least $400,000 in additional savings, and ensures that we provide a responsible transition for our pre-school classes, bringing our Pre-K students back to our schools as was always intended.

We appreciate the collaborative spirit of this agreement and remain committed to both student success and responsible fiscal management. We will continue to keep our ECDC families, staff, and community informed as planning progresses.

Jennifer Harris 

Hackensack Board of Education President