Gov. Murphy announces nearly $50 million in preschool funding for expansion, renovation
In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy said the funding will enable more districts to expand their capacity to offer full-day preschool programming to more students.
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Gov. Phil Murphy promises $51.9 million of federal money for New Jersey preschools.
The Murphy Administration said the money is going to 23 school districts to support 30 projects that will enable the creation, expansion and renovation of preschool facilities statewide. This is money that goes back to the American Rescue Plan that was passed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murphy made the announcement Thursday while appearing at the teachers' union convention. In a statement, Murphy said the funding will enable more districts to expand their capacity to offer full-day preschool programming to more students.
“Equitable access to early childhood education across the board is key to ensuring the long-term success of our children and our state as a whole. My administration will continue to work toward bringing free, full-day pre-K to every district throughout New Jersey,” Murphy said in statement.
The Murphy Administration says high-quality, full-day preschool programs provide smaller class sizes inclusive of students with special needs and are led by a certified teacher and aide.
The 30 projects that have qualified for these preliminary grants had a total need of nearly $113.5 million in estimated project costs. Of that amount, the administration says the New Jersey Department of Education will cover approximately $51.9 million as the state’s share of preschool facilities in those districts; the state share is set at a minimum of 40% of the total estimated project costs.
Preliminary award amounts, including both the state and local share for each project, range from $113,000 to over $13 million, the administration says.
A second round of funding is expected to be announced at a later date with the remaining funding for preschool facility grants.
Here’s a list of the 30 projects receiving a preliminary grant award:
Davenport Elementary Interior Alterations, Egg Harbor Township
Seaview Elementary Preschool Addition, Linwood City
Gantner Ave. School Preschool Addition, Elmwood Park
Gilbert Ave. School Preschool Addition, Elmwood Park
16th Ave. Preschool Addition, Elmwood Park
Quales School Conversion, Englewood City
Grieco Elementary Toilet Rooms, Englewood City
Glen Rock Middle/High School Interior Alterations, Glen Rock Borough
Teaneck Bryant School Preschool Addition, Teaneck
Teaneck Bryant School Interior Alterations, Teaneck
Riverside New Early Childhood Center, Riverside
Malberg ECC Addition, Cherry Hill
Malberg Construct Toilet Rooms, Cherry Hill
Kilmer Preschool Addition, Cherry Hill
Douglas School Interior Renovations, Lower Township
Seabrook School Preschool Addition, Upper Deerfield
St. Cloud Renovations, West Orange
JFK Addition and Alterations, Jamesburg
Eisenhower Elementary Preschool Addition, Piscataway
Preschool Addition to Administration Building, South River
Village Elementary Interior Alterations, Holmdel Tonwship
Keyport Central School Preschool Playground, Keyport
Cambridge Park Renovations, Matawan-Aberdeen Regional
Ridgeway Elementary Preschool Addition, Manchester Township
Woehr Interior Alterations, Plumsted Township
East and Elementary Preschool Addition, North Plainfield
Van Derveer Preschool Addition, Somerville Borough
Van Derveer Interior Alterations, Somerville Borough
Montague Township School Preschool Addition, Montague Township
Brass Castle School Interior Alterations, Washington Township
