Gloucester City School Superintendent Sean Gorman was stunned to learn This week This President Donald The Trump administration stopped the payment for $ 1.4 million Covid assistance funds for its district.
The New Jersey Phil Murphy Governor informed 20 districts on Monday with federal financing cuts, with a total value of $ 85 million and described them in a press release As an attempt to “claw” financing of critical infrastructure projects.
“These cuts are reckless and irresponsible, allowing us to very little time for emergency plans,” said Democrat in the Murphy statement. “In times of unprecedented chaos and uncertainty at the Federal level Washington fails the next generation.”
Schools in New Jersey lose millions of dollars of federal assistance after education secretary Linda McMahon announced the changed date on Friday, so that schools spend money from Covid support. Some school districts have received extensions to spend this money, but McMahon canceled these approval.
Sudden notification meant that the states and circles are trying to come up with the next steps. The funds were approved in 2021 as part of the American emergency plan.
Gormman said his district planned to look for $ 1.4 million Return of the federal government for three projects.
“How can you do this to us? This money was promised to us,” said Gorman.
Murphy was one of several governors in the whole country that sounded an alarm regarding lost funds. Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, also a democrat, did not deal with the changed date, and the spokesman for the Education Department in Pennsylvania did not answer the request for comment.
Here’s what to know about financing, which according to officials in New Jersey is at risk:
How many New Jersey districts have been affected?
Murphy said that 20 districts are facing federal financing cuts, including Gloucester City, Delran, Bridgeton and Penns-Grove-Carneys Point at South Jersey.
Why did you receive funds?
The federal government awarded about $ 200 billion in Covid assistance funds in 2020-2021 to support schools with the influence of pandemic when schools were closed and students learn remotely.
Funds can be used to support students learn how to lose learning, tutoring, mental health services and cover construction projects.
When is the deadline for spending funds?
According to up to the week of education, Schools had to set money for specific projects to the end September 2024 and spend it until January 30, 2025.
Some states asked for extensions to enable schools to 14 additional months.
According to Laura Fredrick, spokeswoman for the Department of State of the Education Department.
Fredrick said that the districts had more time to return capital projects, such as windows replacement or HVAC improvements, which were delayed by the supply chain delays or problems outside their control.
She said that the amounts ranged from less than $ 100,000 to $ 17 million, and the modern date was set for March 28, 2026, she said.
Why a sudden date of spending funds?
In a letter to state heads of education, McMahon said that more time “was not justified”, and the state and school districts “had enough time to eliminate their duties.”
“Extending the dates of subsidies related to Covid, which are actually taxpayers’ funds, years after the Covid pandemic end, is not in line with the department’s priorities, and therefore it is not worth the discretion of his discretion,” she wrote.
Can districts appeal?
McMahon said the department would consider the extension “based on an individual specific to the project.”
Gorman and Superintendent Delran Lisa Della Vecchia said they were planning to ask the US Education Department for reconsideration.
Della Vecchia, in a letter to the Delran school community, said that the district expected Over $ 717,000 for HVAC improvements at high school and junior high school.
Gorman said that in Gloucester City crews are still working on the improvements of the playground at Cold Springs Elementary. He said that two other projects were completed, a renovated life skills class and floor in the media center.
“It would be a serious failure and rejection of other projects,” said Gorman on Thursday.
Both districts said that capital reserve funds would be used to cover costs if they are unable to obtain a federal reimbursement. There are no plans to raise taxes or reduce staff.
Maddie Hanna, an inquirer personnel writer, contributed to this report.
