NJ Recommends $63K In Grants To Rumson-Fair Haven Regional HS

RUMSON, NJ - The Murphy Administration is recommending $317.2 million in awards that is on its way to the Legislature for final approval - and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School is slated to receive a chunk of the funding if passed.

$63,265 has been recommended to the Legislature for allocation to Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School under the first round of projects for the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act (SOCFBA), a $500 million statewide capital grants initiative approved by voters in November 2018, according to a spokesperson from the governor’s press office.

The grants will fund school security, water infrastructure improvements, and enhancement of career and technical education (CTE) in county vocational-technical school districts and county colleges, according to a news release from Gov. Phil Murphy’s office. Approximately $26 million has been allocated for county college CTE projects, $220.2 million for county vocational school district CTE project, $5.6 million for water infrastructure projects and $65.4 million for school security projects.

For the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School District, the funding will go towards the installation of silent panic alarms to alert law enforcement during an emergency and for other school security upgrades including exterior lighting improvements, surveillance cameras, intercoms, remote locking/unlocking doors, shatter-resistant glass, signage improvements, generator installation and impact-rated vehicle barriers.

“I have long believed that investments in our students and schools are investments in the future of our state,” Murphy said in a statement. “These projects will help our school districts and institutions of higher education keep students safe and healthy, while also ensuring that they are ready for the careers of the future.”

“This is an investment in future opportunities for our children,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “It will help provide them with job skills for the modern workforce, improve their safety and security in schoolrooms, and protect their health and well-being by ensuring clean water. It is an investment in their future and in the future of New Jersey, and I look forward to reviewing the proposed projects.”

The first round of the SOCFBA will fund 494 proposed projects, totaling approximately $65.4 million. Murphy plans to announce a second round of grants at a later date.

For the list of round-one recommendations in this category, click here.

“Our children deserve the chance to learn in peace,” said Assemblyman Ralph Caputo. “It has taken many years to get to this day. Alyssa’s family and community have been steadfast champions of the legislation that has brought us here and I commend them for that. Coupled with security measures already in place, this project funding can increase the chances of diffusing a bad situation without further harm to students and staff. I'm proud to see the project moving forward.”