newjerseynewsroom.com

177 districts eligible for project funding

A total of 177 New Jersey school districts are eligible for approximately $270 million in state funds toward the cost of a portion of the 740 capital maintenance and construction projects that sought aid, Gov. Chris Christie announced Wednesday.

Including state and local contributions, the 740 eligible projects are estimated to cost approximately $697 million. The state-funded grants represent at least 40 percent of eligible costs for projects in the school districts. The grants are contingent on voter or budget approval of the remaining costs to a school districts.

The grants were approved by the state Department of Education in fixed annual allocations based on a prioritization process that considers critical needs such as health, safety, special education, renewal of existing buildings and overcrowding. Types of construction include capital maintenance, renovation, expansion and new facilities.

"Efficient, up-to-date school facilities are a priority of this administration and part of ensuring New Jersey children receive a quality education,'' Christie said. "These grants will fund critical projects across our state, helping to improve the learning environments for our students and providing necessary support to districts by easing their local property-tax burden,"

Faced with a $10 billion budget deficit, Christie cut $840 million in regular state aid to schools in the 2010-11 state budget approved last month.

"This funding for school improvements will help school districts keep their facilities properly maintained and ease the burden on local property taxpayers of doing so," Education Commissioner Bret Schundler said.

A breakdown of the allocations — including districts, approved projects and available funds — can be found HERE

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM