TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.— A recent federal court ruling has given the Westwood Regional School District renewed confidence that two long-delayed infrastructure projects will be completed, after a surprise policy change had placed more than $500,000 in federal reimbursements at risk.
Dr. Patrick J. McQueeney, superintendent of schools, shared the news in a letter to families, faculty, and staff on Saturday. He said that earlier this week, a U.S. District Court judge granted a preliminary injunction in a multistate lawsuit brought by New Jersey and other states against the U.S. Department of Education.
The suit challenged the department’s March decision to revoke previously granted extensions for using American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds—federal money earmarked to help schools recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden policy reversal placed at risk about $510,000 in funding for two key projects in the district: replacement of the HVAC system in the Westwood Regional High School’s Campbell Auditorium and electrical upgrades at George School.
(See “Westwood Regional faces $510K bill after sudden cutoff of federal reimbursement,” April 2, 2025.)
“These funds are vital to the completion of two important infrastructure projects,” McQueeney wrote, noting that both were delayed due to pandemic-era supply chain issues. “This funding is essential to ensure safe and functional learning environments for our students and staff.”
According to McQueeney, the judge’s ruling suspends the new March 28, 2025, deadline imposed by the federal agency and requires the U.S. Department of Education to provide at least 14 days’ notice before making any future deadline changes. Additionally, USDE staff must now comply with the court order.
McQueeney said that following the ruling, the New Jersey Department of Education issued new guidance to local districts for submitting reimbursement requests. He credited Westwood Regional School Business Administrator Keith Rosado and his team for working “closely with the NJDOE county office to ensure our application is submitted successfully by the May 16 deadline.”
The superintendent thanked the local Board of Education and the wider community for their support “as we navigated this unexpected and rapidly evolving situation.”
McQueeney promised to provide another update once the district’s reimbursement application is accepted and approved.