The NJ Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) has announced it will stop work on over 200 approved new schools and renovation projects in the Abbott districts, despite a NJ Supreme Court order requiring completion of the projects.

The "stop work" announcement came as SCC issued a "cut list" of 59 projects the agency says it will complete with the funds remaining from a $6 billion allocation by the Legislature in 2000. SCC will immediately shut down work on the other 200 approved projects in the development pipeline.

Hundreds of needed projects in non-urban districts will likely not proceed as well. SCC has announced that the 2.6 billion allocation of construction funding for those districts is running out.

In issuing the "cut list," SCC made no statement about the urgent need for action by the Governor and Legislature to authorize more funding for the school construction program. The agency also offered no plan to request the Legislature to approve additional funding.

"It is deeply disappointing that the SCC Board and Executive Director sat silent today on the need for additional school construction funding statewide," said David Sciarra, ELC Executive Director and Abbott Counsel. "Instead of issuing a stop work order, the SCC should have presented a list to the Governor and Legislature of projects that need additional funding, along with a plan to get that funding approved by Legislature as quickly as possible," Sciarra added.

In separate rulings in 1998 and 2000 in the Abbott v. Burke case, the Supreme Court has ordered the State to fully fund all of the facilities projects needed in the Abbott districts. "The SCC action today clearly violates the letter and spirit of those rulings," said Sciarra.

Prepared: July 27, 2005