Red Bank, NJ (October
30, 2001) – Representatives of the New Jersey Economic Development
Authority, (EDA), joined by Senate Majority Leader John O. Bennett, Assemblyman
Michael Arnone, and Red Bank Councilman Robert J. Bifani, visited Red
Bank Middle School today to present a ceremonial check for over $4.5 million
to Red Bank school officials for renovations underway at Red Bank Middle
School. Todd Poole, a member of the EDA schools division, presented the
check on behalf the EDA.
The
funding amount represents a "Section 15" grant agreement, between the
EDA and the school district. Officials on hand to accept the ceremonial
check on behalf of the school district were Superintendent J. Michael
Rush, School Board Secretary Fran Finkelstein, School Board President
Rosemarie Kopka, and School Board Vice President Janet Jones, as well
as Middle School Interim Principal Jean Cina, Assistant Principal Terence
Wilkins, Accelerated Schools coach and Association President JoAnn Hartswell,
and Accelerated Schools coach and gifted and talented teacher Mary Wyman.
Also present were Mrs. Kim Sullivan, representing the PTO and Mr. Holcombe
Hurd, the music teacher, who led the members of the Middle School chorus
who opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "God Bless America."
"By solidifying these grant agreements, the EDA is making good on its
responsibility to provide the state share of financing for the school
projects that will benefit children throughout New Jersey," said EDA
Executive Director Caren Franzini.
Senator Bennett added that "the funding will result in property tax
relief for residents of Red Bank, who otherwise would be responsible
for covering the entire cost of the school construction project, which
totals $11.3 million."
Assemblyman Arnone, who is a lifetime resident of Red Bank said that
"our children are our future. You can count on me as Red Bank's elected
representative to do everything possible to support educational opportunities
for all of our children."
The Department of Education deemed over $11.2 million of the construction
to be eligible costs. Under Section 15 of the school construction law,
the EDA is responsible for providing the State share, or 40 percent
of the approved eligible costs of construction, which amounts to $4.51
million.
Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, the
EDA is responsible for providing grants to fund the State share of eligible
school facilities projects in school districts that receive less than
55% in state education funding, which includes Red Bank.
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