The New Jersey School Development Authority (SDA) announced the approval of an additional 16 project to its 2022 Capital Plan that will address critical facility needs in some of the state’s neediest districts. The projects, approved at yesterday’s SDA Board of Directors Meeting, will become part of the SDA program portfolio following expiration of the gubernatorial veto period on September 22, 2022.
“It is our job to ensure New Jersey’s young scholars have equitable access to outstanding school buildings that will allow them to learn, thrive and succeed as they embark on a lifetime of learning,” said SDA CEO Manuel Da Silva. “The Administration’s investment toward the improvement of New Jersey’s educational infrastructure has allowed this Board to advance projects that will address critical needs in districts throughout New Jersey.”
“The Board’s approval of these projects, identified in the SDA’s Statewide Strategic Plan as priority projects, will significantly reduce District-wide overcrowding and facility deficiencies that impact thousands of students statewide,” said SDA Chairman, Robert Nixon. “These projects will deliver thousands of new or replacement student seats in state-of-the-art facilities that will foster learning and student achievement.”
The advancement of 16 additional capital projects is possible due to the funding appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget by Governor Murphy and the State Legislature. As part of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget agreement, the State allocated $1.55 billion to support the SDA’s 2022 Strategic Plan to advance more than a dozen school construction projects in SDA districts, and an additional $350 million for facilities projects in regular operating districts. These funds will be appropriated through the Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund.