| State of New Jersey Schools Development Authority |
|
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 2007 |
| Preceding agency | New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation |
| Jurisdiction | New Jersey |
| Headquarters | 1 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625 |
| Agency executive | Kris Kolluri, Chief Executive Officer |
| Website | |
| http://www.njsda.gov/ | |
The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA or SDA) is a public agency in New Jersey that is responsible for implementing an overhaul of the educational infrastructure of hundreds of schools in districts throughout all 21 counties of the State of New Jersey. It is an independent authority in but not of the Department of the Treasury.
SDA was created on August 6, 2007 as the successor of the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC). Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine signed legislation in July 2008 that authorized $3.9 billion in funding for the NJSDA.[1]
Kris Kolluri serves as head of the Schools Development Authority, having taken office as of December 1, 2008, when he succeeded Scott Weiner.[2][3]
The SCC was created on July 18, 2000 when the New Jersey Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act was signed into law. The law created a program for financing, design, renovation, repair and new construction of primary and secondary schools in New Jersey. The law significantly changed the level of State aid for public school construction. Previously, school districts received State aid for construction debt at the same percentage as their State aid for operating costs, making almost half of the State's school districts ineligible for any construction aid. The new law guaranteed construction aid for every school district in New Jersey. The minimum level of aid was 40%, and Abbott Districts received 100% of eligible costs.[4]
Cost overruns and charges of corruption led to criticism of the SCC. Delays and added costs led to unfinished buildings and the lack of funds to complete existing and planned projects.