SDA Chief, in Brick, Touts $1.2M in Grants to Township Schools

It was a civics lesson to remember at Lanes Mill Elementary School on Tuesday, as students were on hand to hear state Schools Development Authority CEO Marc Larkins formally announce more than $1.2 million in grant funding for the township's schools.

The funding is committed to 10 projects district-wide, including a project at that will replace the interior lighting system with new energy efficient light fixtures and provide a more energy efficient lighting control system for all classrooms.

Most of the projects have already been approved by the Board of Education, said Business Administrator Jim Edwards. Many of those projects are now ready to go out to bid.

In addition to the Lanes Mill project, the grants have helped fund projects at , , , , , , , and .

The projects include the replacement of gym bleachers and auditorium seats at BTHS, HVAC projects and upgrades for server rooms at several district schools, replacement of boilers, electrical upgrades, replacement of exterior doors and installation of visual fire alarms.

The grant funding from the state represents 40 percent of the cost of the ten projects. Local taxpayers will fund the remaining 60 percent.

Larkins touted Regular Operating District, or ROD, grants as job-creators in addition to improving daily life at schools statewide.

"The positive impact of these grants is far reaching," Larkins said.

He credited Brick school officials with putting together an attractive package of projects for SDA funding.

"In our experience, working with Brick, they've been on the ball in selecting projects, making sure paperwork is together," Larkins said. "They understand the process, and that's why they've been successful."