By Joanne Degnan, Managing Editor
PLUMSTED — Plumsted Township public schools have been awarded a $281,600 grant from the state Schools Development Authority for security upgrades at all four public schools as well as improvements to the high school auditorium.
The security system project includes a new districtwide phone system and the installation of security cameras and electronic access controls in each school building, according to Plumsted Schools Superintendent Karen Jones.
The total cost of the security enhancements is $407,108 and breaks down to $85,698 for the primary school; $79,980 for the elementary school; $69,458 for the middle school; and $171,972 for the high school.
The other capital project covered by the SDA grant is new lighting and sound systems for New Egypt High School’s auditorium at a total of $153,610.
The grant will cover about 50 percent of these projects’ costs, Dr. Jones said. The Plumsted School District already has put aside money in previous capital improvement budgets to do these projects, Dr. Jones said.
”As a district, we were very pleased to receive the funds,” Dr. Jones said Monday. “These projects address building infrastructure upgrades while providing tax relief at the local level.”
The grant, part of SDA’s Regular Operating District (ROD) grant program, was announced Friday by the governor’s office and 12th District legislators who represent Plumsted in the Senate and Assembly: Sen. Sam Thompson, Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Assemblyman Bob Clifton.
SDA Chief Executive Officer Marc Larkins, in cooperation with the Department of Education, announced the resumption of this ROD grant program in May 2010. Since then, the SDA has executed 810 grants to local school districts totaling more than $245.5 million, which has leveraged $573.4 million in projects.
The sale of $500 million in bonds by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority is what has made the SDA grant program possible.
The SDA grant program funds at least 40 percent of eligible costs for projects that address health and safety and overcrowding, provide spaces to deliver in-district programs for disabled students or help meet other critical needs, according to the SDA website.
The state Department of Education selects school projects to receive grant funding from the SDA.
