Jeffrey Castagne – Foundation Academies

From its beginning in 2007 with just 87 fifth and sixth-graders, Foundation Academies in Trenton, New Jersey, has grown into one of the state’s most successful charter organizations. Today, more than 1,100 K-12 scholars learn across three schools on two campuses, supported by a close-knit staff committed to academic excellence and character-driven education. But the school’s growth has depended on more than strong teachers and ambitious students. It has also been shaped by the behind-the-scenes leadership of the facilities department and by the vision of its facilities director, Jeffrey Castagne.

Foundation Academies operates with a simple mission: to provide high-quality education that empowers scholars to lead purpose-filled lives. Maintaining the spaces where that mission happens—classrooms, athletic areas, labs, hallways, cafeterias, offices, and the school’s expanding footprint—requires strategy, precision, and a deep understanding of how learning environments function. Castagne brings all of that, along with a personal commitment to mentorship and community building that has redefined what facilities leadership looks like in a modern charter school.

From construction to campus leadership

Castagne’s path into facilities leadership did not begin in a school at all. He started his career in the trades, working in electrical and plumbing construction. When he eventually shifted into a custodial position, he saw the opportunity to put his technical skills to work in new ways. From there, he moved quickly—into maintenance, then into a foreman role, and ultimately into the director position he holds today.

His six-year tenure has been marked by rapid advancement, something he attributes not to ambition but to necessity and initiative.

In his words, “There was a need for someone to step up, and I’ve always believed that if you see a gap, you fill it.”

That mindset shaped his leadership style. As the facilities director, Castagne now oversees a staff of about 40 people, managing three buildings and guiding a portfolio of ongoing, large-scale improvements. Preventive maintenance is his cornerstone, not only because it protects the school’s assets but because it reinforces the reliability and continuity the school community depends on every day.

“I remind my team that the work we do is directly tied to the safety, well-being, and success of every student and staff member in our care. The responsibility we carry is significant, and I hold it in the highest regard. Every decision we make, every action we take, contributes to creating an environment where people feel protected, supported, and empowered to thrive. “His team responds to that clarity with loyalty and drive. “We’ve accomplished so much, yet we’re only at the beginning of what’s possible,” Castagne shares. “I feel incredibly lucky to lead such an exceptional team at Foundation Academies. Their passion and commitment make us more than colleagues—we’ve become a family united in purpose.”

Mentorship through the workmanship program

Perhaps the most distinctive part of Castagne’s leadership is the workmanship mentorship program he launched—an initiative that now includes 10 to 15 students at a time and has a waiting list of about 30 more. Students go through a formal interview process to join, learning carpentry, electrical basics, painting, HVAC fundamentals, and general building maintenance. For many, it is their first real exposure to the trades and to the sense of pride that comes from building something real.

Castagne’s own background informs the program. Growing up, he faced personal struggles and credits an early mentor for helping him find direction and confidence.

“When someone takes the time to show you how to work with your hands, how to solve problems, it changes how you see yourself,” he says. “I had someone do that for me, and now I want to do it for these students.”

The program has become a cornerstone of the school’s long-term workforce development efforts. Students in the program assist with real campus projects, gaining experience in responsibility, communication, and technical skills. And the impact extends beyond the school grounds.

Local unions have taken notice. On a recent project, union teams built two classrooms and bathrooms in collaboration with the school, giving students a firsthand look at professional-grade work while allowing the school to complete the project at a fraction of the cost of outside bids.

This hands-on approach has delivered significant financial results. Castagne and his team have saved Foundation Academies an estimated $3.4 million through in-house construction and maintenance efforts. But for Castagne, the savings tell only part of the story.

“It’s great to save money, but the real value is in watching these students grow,” he says. “They leave here knowing they can build things. That confidence stays with them.”

The school has also institutionalized student involvement in campus work. This summer, top-performing students will manage and oversee maintenance tasks such as painting, stripping, and waxing, giving them real leadership roles in a supervised environment.

Planning for growth and resilience

With more students arriving each year, Foundation Academies continues to plan for its long-term future. Castagne plays a central role in that planning, and one of his largest responsibilities is the new $60 million high school currently under construction. The project, expected to be completed by July 2026, will shift the organization’s entire footprint: the current high school campus will become the middle school, and the main building will become a dedicated elementary school.

The transition represents more than a change in square footage; it’s a generational upgrade in learning environments. Castagne meets regularly with architects, contractors, union partners, and school leaders to ensure the building will meet modern standards for safety, sustainability, and technology.

He views the project through both a professional and personal lens.

“What we’re building is a place where students will spend some of the most important years of their lives,” he says. “They deserve a space that feels inspiring, safe, and made for them.”

But he also understands the unique challenges of running facilities for a charter school. Charters must meet or exceed the standards of their district counterparts while operating with different funding structures and often limited space. Castagne approaches those challenges with a blend of creativity and discipline—prioritizing preventive maintenance, planning strategically for future needs, and ensuring the facilities team is as well-trained and prepared as any in the region.

He is also candid about the importance of efficiency. Streamlining operations, reducing downtime, optimizing energy use, and preventing emergencies are all part of a carefully engineered system that supports student learning. His construction background gives him the ability to assess long-term needs with confidence, while his experience rising through facilities roles helps him understand what his team needs day to day.

A future built on opportunity & community

Looking ahead, Castagne’s goals reflect both ambition and gratitude for the opportunities he has been given. He wants Foundation Academies’ facilities to reach their full potential—to be safe, healthy, adaptable, and designed for the community as much as for classroom instruction.

“Every decision we make should support the people in these buildings—students, teachers, families, everyone,” he says.

He envisions expanding facilities, strengthening the workmanship program, forging more partnerships with unions and trade organizations, and continuing to deliver strategic improvements that keep the school competitive and able to serve future generations of scholars.

Mentorship remains central to that future. Castagne talks openly with students about his own path, including the obstacles he overcame and the belief others placed in him. By sharing that, he hopes to show students that their trajectories can also be shaped by persistence, curiosity, and the willingness to try something new.

Even outside of work, Castagne brings that same spirit of exploration to life. He enjoys traveling—Italy is a particular favorite—and watching football, but he also takes pride in the excitement of his work and in the possibility that the story of Foundation Academies might inspire others.

In the end, his leadership comes back to purpose. Foundation Academies has always emphasized character, excellence, and opportunity. Castagne’s work supports that mission not just by maintaining buildings but by strengthening the community within them. His combination of practical expertise, financial responsibility, and commitment to mentorship has created a facilities program that is as transformative as it is operationally sound.

As Foundation Academies continues to grow, the school’s physical spaces—and the students who inhabit them—will continue to benefit from Castagne’s belief that well-built environments and well-guided young people can change the trajectory of a community.