The Hamilton Township School District says that on March 31 at 5 p.m., it was made aware of a cut to federal funding through a press release issued by Gov. Phil Murphy. The impact of these cuts, conveyed to the New Jersey Department of Education at approximately 5 p.m. last Friday, was that 20 school districts in New Jersey were “facing federal funding cuts” totaling $85 million. The cuts were effective immediately.
HTSD was listed as one of the 20 school districts.
The funding, now cut, was already spent on projects previously approved by the NJDOE and the US Department of Education. The district was then to be reimbursed for these capital projects.
Upon notification, the district began to gather information in an effort to determine the amount of funding lost, projects that would not be reimbursed, and timing of this situation. The following was determined:
This funding is related to reimbursement of final expenditures for capital projects already approved, started, and completed in HTSD.
The NJDOE allowed districts to apply for the extension of reimbursement of payments to contractors for approved capital projects. This process is known as and defined by the USDOE as “late liquidation.”
Such application had to be submitted to the NJDOE by June 28, 2024, well before the end of the grant project period. HTSD submitted a request for late liquidation because the district had already bid and awarded the projects, but could not begin projects until school was out for the summer.
On July 1, 2024, the NJDOE approved the district’s application for the late liquidation of funds up to $1,950,332.
On September 30, 2024, HTSD requested $1,331,002 of reimbursement of the $1.9 million. That request was rejected by the NJDOE because they informed HTSD that we had to wait until the end of the late liquidation project period, which is December 2025, to submit for reimbursement.
HTSD followed up again in early January 2025 to request reimbursement and were once again informed that we had to wait until the end of the late liquidation period, December 2025. This request was made because the projects were already completed.
The total amount of expended federal funding cut by the federal government is $1,950,332, the full amount of the HTSD’s late liquidation application.
Dr. Scott Rocco, superintendent of schools, stated in a media release: “These funds were already approved for specific capital projects that have been completed and paid for by our district. Any remaining costs are associated with final contractor work, referred to as punch list items. HTSD moved forward with much needed HVAC, structural repairs, and ADA projects with approval of the NJDOE. We applied for and were granted an extension.
“Unfortunately, after following all the requirements and getting all of the approvals, we are not being fully reimbursed for these projects. HTSD is entitled to full reimbursement of these completed and paid for projects. The need for these capital projects and the funding to pay for them has not changed. HTSD’s request to extend our ability to be reimbursed for these project costs was well within all state and federal guidelines.
“The district’s priority for these funds was to help provide our students and staff with the facilities they deserve. These funds assisted with that goal. That should not be a topic for debate and our district should not be shortchanged for working towards it.”
Gov. Murphy released a statement about the funding cuts on the state website yesterday:
“We were recently notified that New Jersey is facing yet another devastating federal funding cut from the Trump Administration — impacting critical infrastructure projects across 20 school districts to improve student health and safety.
“These cuts are reckless and irresponsible, allowing us very little time for contingency plans. New Jersey is proud of its best-in-the-nation public school system and we will do everything we can to restore this funding and maintain our reputation for excellence in public education.
“At a time of unprecedented chaos and uncertainty at the federal level, Washington is failing the next generation.”
According to the governor’s office, the school districts affected by the funding cuts are:
Bergenfield School District
Fairview Public Schools
Westwood Regional School District
Delran Township School District
Gloucester City School District
Bridgeton School District
East Orange Public Schools
Newark Public Schools
North Bergen School District
Guttenberg School District
Hamilton Township School District
Keansburg Public Schools
Brick Township School District
Clifton Township Public Schools
Passaic City Public Schools
Paterson City Public Schools
Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District
Elizabeth Public Schools
Linden Public Schools
Robert Treat Academy Charter School
