Gov. Phil Murphy and other state officials are recommending about $37 million in projects to the Legislature that support career and technical education program expansion for county vocational school districts along with an additional $20 million to support county college CTE projects, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act – approved by voters in 2018 – issued $500 million in state bonds to expand vocational school and county college CTE programs, enhance K-12 security, and support water infrastructure improvements in New Jersey schools. Of that total, $325 million was dedicated for county college and CVSD-related grants. The proposed projects approved by the Murphy administration for this round of funding will now be transmitted to the Legislature for final approval.
In addition to the first round of CTE funding, which appropriated approximately $26 million for county college CTE projects and over $220 million for county vocational school district CTE projects, this second round of funding will bring the total funding awarded for CTE projects to over $305 million.
The latest round of funding recommends the following grant amounts for county vocational school districts:
- Burlington (Medford): $5,895,488
- Burlington (Westampton) $10,416,657
- Cap May: $14,450,859
- Salem: $2,250,000
- Hunterdon: $3,750,000
- Passaic: $197,024
These projects will fund renovation and new construction to increase student capacity in select county vocational CTE programs, including related demolition, site improvements and physical plant upgrades, and furniture and equipment in renovated, reassigned, or new spaces related to county vocational CTE program expansion. Applicants were required to demonstrate that new student seats would be in county vocational CTE programs that prepare students for high-demand, technically-skilled careers.
The SOCFBA also allocated funds for county colleges to construct or expand classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer facilities, and other academic structures to increase CTE program capacity. The second round of the SOCFBA will fund six proposed projects in this category totaling nearly $20 million. View a list of round-two projects in this category.
“This second round of funding builds on my administration’s efforts to provide New Jersey students with access to high-quality education,” Murphy said. “Career and technical education programs are key to providing young people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen career. Investing in our county colleges and vocational schools is how we invest in our state.”
Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillian, acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education said, “Generations of students will continue to benefit from the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act. Through the programs that are being created, countless students will have the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in high-demand careers after graduation.”
Dr. Brian K. Bridges, secretary of higher education for New Jersey, said, “This solicitation continues the course of action set by the first round to help prepare today’s students for innovative and in-demand careers, that benefits not only our New Jersey students but enhances New Jersey’s economic success. These projects are a part of our continued work to meet our higher education state plan goal for every student to have access to high-quality, career-relevant academic programs that prepare them for success.”