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By MIKE DANIELS
Courier-Post Staff
Thirty years ago, the rising tide of kindergarten enrollments here led to their classes being held in churches.
Now some students attend classes in trailers because of another space shortage in the five schools.
``Every space in this school is used,'' said Gordon Learn, principal at Cranberry Pines School. ``We use the stage as a special education classroom ... It's not really an ideal classroom setting.''
Relief is on the way, but it will take a few years.
Last week, a $37.5 million bond referendum for two new schools was barely passed by a nine-vote margin out of 3, 417 ballots cast.
Officials have said for more than a year that new schools were desperately needed.
``We have to have the schools or we're not going to have room for 914 additional students by 2005,'' Superintendent Susan Mintz said of the projected enrollment.
The K-8 district currently has 2,800 students enrolled - 300 more than its five schools are designed for.
The nearly $48 million building project, $10 million of which will be funded by the state, will include two 500- seat elementary schools and a new district bus garage. The schools will be built at Hartford Road just north of Route 70 and at the intersection of Chairville and Branin roads.
Haines Elementary School on Stokes Road will be converted to a sixth grade school to relieve overcrowding in Memorial Middle School.
Memorial, and the district's three other elementary schools, will get $6.1 million worth of renovations, including new roofs and carpeting.
Both of the new elementary schools are designed to accommodate additions in the future. There will also be enough land left over at both sites for further building.
The district's growth problems may be a testimony to its success.
Resident Ann Arnott said many people move here because of the schools, like she did eight years ago. She and her husband have three children.
Arnott is now the president of the township Home and School Association and she has not been disappointed with the education her children are receiving.
``When we moved here, we had a lot of expectations and they' ve all come true,'' she said.
``I've been fortunate to have three children who do very well in school and they are challenged the way they should be here.''
Learn, principal at Cranberry Pines since 1992, said the district has supportive parents and school board members, top notch teachers and motivated students.
``You've got all the elements for success here,'' Learn said.
Today and Tomorrow stories:- Medford improves as growth slows
Already perched between the Pinelands to the east and suburban sprawl to the west, the township finds itself at another crossroads. - Schools prepare for more students
Thirty years ago, the rising tide of kindergarten enrollments here led to their classes being held in churches. - Support for the downtown is drawn from local events
An estimated 20,000 people crowded the downtown at the township's Dickens Festival recently amid character actors, jugglers and a barbershop quartet. - More kids beget more places to play in Medford
Regardless of interests or age, Medford's recreation department strives to offer something for everyone after a boom in recreation facilities here. - Fewer, but costlier, new houses limit first-time buyers in Medford
Medford native William Degnan, 63, bought a retirement home in Marlton, but it didn't suit the active lifestyle he and his wife enjoyed. So the couple decided to return to Medford, where they bought a larger and more expensive home. - Programs abound for rising number of elderly
In the past 10 years, Medford's senior population has risen almost 18 percent and that trend is expected to continue as baby boomers hit their retirement years.