Mercer Times

Governor Phil Murphy and Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer have announced the allocation of over $42 million in federal grants to support preschool facilities projects across 22 school districts in New Jersey. This funding is part of the Murphy Administration's initiative to expand access to universal high-quality preschool.

Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of early education, stating, "High-quality preschool can positively impact the trajectory of a child’s life, which is why we have made it our mission to expand access to these critical programs." He noted that these grants are an investment in children's futures and a step towards achieving universal preschool in New Jersey.

Acting Commissioner Dehmer highlighted the challenges faced by many districts due to inadequate facilities. "Families and educators in many school districts have been eager to establish new, high-quality preschool programs in their community," he said. The grant aims to overcome this obstacle by providing necessary funding for building, expanding, or renovating facilities for preschool students.

The $42 million represents the second round of Universal Preschool Facilities Expansion Grant funding. It is part of a larger $120 million fund sourced from the federal American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund as outlined in the Fiscal Year 2023 State Budget. The first round had already distributed over $74 million for similar purposes.

This funding supports New Jersey's strategy of combining district-provided preschool programs with those offered by licensed childcare providers and Head Start programs. The awarded funds were prioritized based on specific criteria established by state authorities.