Officials cut the ribbon on a Bayonne vocational school at their high school, part of the Hudson County Schools of Technology, named after County Executive Craig Guy during a ceremony yesterday.

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

The new school will offer programs in mechanical, construction, finance, medical/clinical, criminal justice, digital communications, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and cosmetology, alongside academic classes.

“We did it, everyone smile! This project has been so special for everyone involved … It’s built by union workers for future union workers,” began Hudson County Commissioner Kenny Kopacz (D-1), who is also the deputy superintendent of schools in Bayonne.

HCST Superintendent of Schools Tom Macagnano added that it would be 36,000 square feet of “innovation and opportunity.”

“It’s a testament when vision meets action and partnerships meets purpose,” he added.

Macagnano said it would serve many students, further stating that the facility is LEED certified, so it’s environmentally friendly.

“This building represents equity,” Macagnano declared, noting the diversity of the student body: “The space is built for them.”

Bayonne Superintendent of Schools noted the collective effort it took to reach this point, with planning board approval received in February 2022 and ground broken in August 2023, both as HCV first reported.

Additionally, U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) praised Guy and his service to the county.

“Being in Washington is hard: You see a government that doesn’t work. Today is about government working. It’s about building big things together. This is what government should be every single day. Students … will benefit from the work you are doing,” he said.

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, also the Democratic nominee for sheriff, noted that the project was 12 years in the making and he’s excited to see local youth have the opportunity to work with their hands.

“The more you can wake up a child and have him find what it is he really wants to do, then we did our job. It’s our job to make they have everything they need to find out what they love. This is a great day for the city of Bayonne!” he declared.

Hudson County Building Trades and Construction Council President Patrick Kelleher was happy the school was built with union labor.

“The partnership continues to stay strong. We continue to work together and support.”

During his remarks, Guy explained he was on the HCST board for nearly 20 years before becoming county executive, serving as board chair for many of them.

“We are proudly the most diverse county … in the state. Not all our kids want to go to college. Some of our kids don’t have the means to pay for college these days …They do have an alternative … This is a bold vision to reinvigorate our students,” he stated.

“I am so happy that we have a woman that be leading the charge in Bayonne at this new trade school, If you’re not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you. So, thank you everybody,” he added to applause.

Kopacz concluded the program by stating that it took a village to complete the project.

“It’s a little nerve-racking to have my name on a school that’s going to affect so many lives,” Guy told HCV.

“We did a lot of good things. We built that whole new school out in Secaucus. We totally remodeled that school in downtown Jersey City … We’ve invested in education, and this is just the pinnacle of it all.”

Others in attendance included West New York Mayor Albio Sires, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, Bayonne Council President Gary La Pelusa, Councilmen-at-Large Juan Perez and Loyad Booker, Jersey City Council members Daniel Rivera and Amy DeGise, who work for the HCST, Jersey City Ward B Councilwoman Maureen Hulings, Hudson County Commissioners Board Chair Anthony Romano (D-5), Assemblyman Will Sampson, Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato both (D-31), state Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-29), HCST Board President John Minella, and Bayonne BOE President Mary Jane Desmond.