Caldwell-West Caldwell Will Get $3.6M In School Construction Funds

CALDWELLS, NJ — Are you one of the people who think that New Jersey students should have been going to school during this week’s sweltering heat wave? A new wave of state funding will enable hundreds of schools to make crucial infrastructure upgrades that can help keep kids in the classroom – and some of it is headed the Caldwell-West Caldwell district's way.

On Thursday, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) announced the approval of roughly $450 million in construction funds to address critical facilities needs in 261 school districts throughout the state.

The Caldwell-West Caldwell Public School District will be getting $3,671,408 that will be put towards an estimated project cost of $9,178,520, according to state officials.

Officials said that the projects were “identified by needs” that included critical building upgrades, the replacement of boilers, HVAC and electrical systems, and roof repairs. The funds will also help some districts resolve building code issues.

Funding for the school construction initiative was made possible through legislation signed in 2022 and grant funding from SDA allocations.

State officials said that $350 million of the $450 million will come from the state’s Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund, which was established two years ago to help pay down existing debt and avoid incurring new debt by funding projects outright rather than incurring new borrowing.

“This move is expected to save the state and taxpayers roughly $350 million in total as opposed to issuing 30-year bonds at current interest rates,” officials said in a news release.

In addition to the $449.9 million in state funding, local contributions totaling $598.5 million are estimated to bring the total cost of construction to more than $1 billion.

“This funding is part of a state and local partnership that will invest in hundreds of school projects while saving a significant amount of taxpayer dollars,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“Coupled with an infusion of local funding, this collaboration will generate more than $1 billion in important upgrades to schools throughout New Jersey,” Murphy added.

Thursday’s announcement also got a thumbs-up from Sen. Paul Sarlo, a Republican who chairs the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

“Schools are the centers of children’s lives and they deserve buildings and facilities that encourage progress during this critical time in their development,” Sarlo said. “In collaboration with our local partners, we are making much needed investments in the classrooms and other physical spaces that will support their academic growth.”

Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz said that this week’s sweltering heat wave – which forced several districts to alter their back-to-school plans – should be proof that the money is urgently needed.

“With schools closing early all over the state this week due to the heat, it is clear our educational infrastructure is not only dated and deteriorating but also ill equipped to handle our changing climate,” Ruiz said.

“While it is just a start, it is wonderful to see money getting out the door to allow districts to make much needed improvements to their facilities,” Ruiz added.

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