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WESTWOOD, N.J. — Westwood Regional School District is one of 20 public school districts in New Jersey that stand to lose federal COVID-era infrastructure funding following an abrupt decision by the U.S. Department of Education to change the reimbursement deadline without notice.
The move, announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in a letter issued Friday, March 28, retroactively altered the deadline to that same day at 5 p.m. for districts to apply for reimbursement. The funds in question were allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act and other pandemic relief measures for projects aimed at improving student health and safety—many already approved and underway.
Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday said the action could cost New Jersey districts $85 million in expected federal support.
“We were recently notified that New Jersey is facing yet another devastating federal funding cut from the Trump Administration — impacting critical infrastructure projects across 20 school districts to improve student health and safety,” Murphy said in a statement.
He added, “These cuts are reckless and irresponsible, allowing us very little time for contingency plans. 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.”
And he said, “At a time of unprecedented chaos and uncertainty at the federal level, Washington is failing the next generation.”
The last round of federal education relief funding, authorized in March 2021, gave schools until this fall to obligate funds and until January 2025 to spend them. Many districts, including Westwood Regional, had sought extensions to finish out contracts related to construction, mental health services, or academic support.
McMahon, in her letter to states, argued that continued extensions were no longer justified.
“Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion,” she wrote.
Districts may still apply for extensions on a project-specific basis, but must demonstrate that the funds are essential to mitigating COVID’s effects on student learning. The department said it would make those determinations individually.
State education officials and national advocates have criticized the timing and communication of the decision, especially for districts that were counting on the funds to close the books on pandemic-era upgrades.
The districts affected include Bergenfield, Brick Township, Bridgeton, Clifton, Delran Township, East Orange, Elizabeth, Fairview, Gloucester City, Guttenberg, Hamilton Township, Keansburg, Linden, Newark, North Bergen, Passaic City, Paterson, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional, Robert Treat Academy Charter, and Westwood Regional.
On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, advancing a long-held campaign goal. The move follows earlier steps by his administration to shrink the department, including staffing cuts and reductions to key offices such as Civil Rights and Education Sciences.
While the executive order initiates the process, fully abolishing the department would require an act of Congress—a difficult hurdle, as a similar bill failed last year with notable Republican opposition. A new bill to eliminate the agency, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), is awaiting a vote.
Westwood Regional School District serves K-12 families in Westwood and the Township of Washington. Asked if the district had a position statement in the works, superintendent Patrick McQueeney told Pascack Press on April 1, “We have nothing yet. I am waiting to speak with the county superintendent. We received notice yesterday morning and have not received any additional details. I will keep you posted.”
