$24M biotech center at PCTI in Wayne marks ‘dawn of a new era’ in education

WAYNE — High school students have a direct path to high-demand jobs in food science, genetics and pharma at a $24 million academic building that officially opened this week on the campus of Passaic County Technical Institute.

The John Currie Biotechnology Innovation Center, named for the chairman emeritus of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, will offer up to 800 students advanced coursework in one of the country’s fastest-growing industries.

Students who graduate from the innovation center at the Reinhardt Road school will earn associate’s degrees — equal to 60 college credits — in biotechnology through a dual-enrollment program between PCTI and Passaic County Community College.

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On Tuesday afternoon, dozens of guests celebrated the opening at a dedication ceremony and a ribbon-cutting event. Among the dignitaries on hand were Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, who also addressed the crowd, and state Assembly members Gary Schaer, D-Passaic, Shavonda Sumter, D-Paterson, and Benjie Wimberly, D-Paterson.

John Maiello, the chief administrator of PCTI, said the 55,000-square-foot facility marks a “significant milestone” for the high school — the largest in New Jersey.

“Today, we celebrate not just the opening of a new building,” he said, “but the dawn of a new era in education and career preparation for our students.”

Biotechnology is one of 14 schools at PCTI, which has an enrollment of more than 4,500. The other schools include applied engineering, criminal justice and culinary arts; all programs offer opportunities for students to earn college credits.

Joseph Sabbath, the assistant superintendent of PCTI, said the biotechnology program started last year in another section of the high school. Officials wanted to open the innovation center at the same time, he said, but supply-chain delays hampered construction progress.

The four-story building was designed by Coppa Montalbano Architects, a Totowa-based firm that drew plans for several other additions to the 55.7-acre campus, including the Diana C. Lobosco STEM Academy.

Close to 80% of the project cost came from a state grant. The money was approved by New Jersey voters through a $500 million bond referendum in November 2018.

The first round of funding was released two and a half years later as part of the Securing Our Children’s Future…