Christie Administration Announces Nearly $16 Million in State Funds

Trenton, NJ – The Christie administration today announced that six vocational school districts are eligible for nearly $16 million in state funds toward the cost of 25 capital maintenance and construction projects.




“Vocational schools need ample facilities to continue providing innovative and high-quality job training programs,” Governor Chris Christie said. “The state grants we are providing to vocational districts will allow critical projects to move forward and give New Jerseyans the necessary tools to find a quality and meaningful job.”



“The grants will enable the six recipient vocational schools to undergo much-needed repairs and improvements while lessening the weight on county taxpayers,” Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler said.



The 25 eligible projects are estimated to cost approximately $30 million in state and local funds. The state grants represent at least 40 percent of eligible costs for projects in the vocational districts. The grants are contingent on approval of the remaining share of costs from district budgets or school bonds sold by county governments.



Facilities grants for vocational school district projects are approved by the Department of Education(DOE) in fixed annual allocations based on a prioritization process that considers critical needs, such as health, safety, handicapped accessibility, renewal of existing buildings and improvements to vocational instructional space to meet industry certification standards. Types of construction include capital maintenance, renovation, expansion and new facilities.



“Suitable facilities are critical to New Jersey's county vocational schools to enable them to provide exceptional education and training to students,” said Schools Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Marc Larkins. “The release of these grants for county vocational schools along with the grants for the regular operating districts continue to show the state's strong commitment to the future of our schoolchildren.”



DOE determines which school projects receive grant funds from the Schools Development Authority. The full list of school districts, eligible projects and available funding can be found on DOE’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/education/facilities/projectapplication/rod/apvoc.pdf