Trump Administration cuts $85M from health, safety projects in New Jersey schools: Murphy

The Trump Administration cut tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for school health and safety-related projects from 20 school districts in New Jersey, including two school systems at the Jersey Shore, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.

The districts — which include the Brick and Keansburg school districts — are facing $85 million in cuts that would have funded "critical infrastructure projects… (for) student health and safety," Murphy said in a statement.

"These cuts are reckless and irresponsible, allowing us very little time for contingency plans," the governor said. "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."

School leaders at Brick and Keansburg school districts did not immediately return calls and emails for comment.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey School Boards Association, which represents elected school board leaders across the state, declined to comment.

The other 18 districts facing infrastructure cuts are: Bergenfield, Fairview, Westwood Regional, Delran Township, Gloucester City, Bridgeton, East Orange, Newark, North Bergen, Guttenberg, Hamilton Township, Clifton Township, Passaic City, Paterson City, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional, Elizabeth, Linden and Robert Treat Academy Charter School, Murphy's staff said.

"At a time of unprecedented chaos and uncertainty at the federal level, Washington is failing the next generation," the governor said.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.