SDA initially rated proposals based on overcrowding, standardization, condition of existing school — but the importance of those criteria was often overridden by factors like project's cost
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TRENTON — The Schools Development Authority decided which construction projects to prioritize in 2011 based on subjective criteria, not need, the authority’s CEO told an Assembly committee today.
Testifying before the Assembly Legislative Committee, Marc Larkins said the SDA initially rated proposals based on items such as overcrowding, standardization of design and condition of the existing school building. But in many cases, he said, the importance of those criteria was overridden by other, subjective factors, like the cost of a project.
"We looked at prioritization as a starting point, not an ending point," he said. "Unique criteria is the overriding criteria."
Larkins’ testimony came in response to questions from committee members about why rebuilding the overcrowded Phillipsburg High School in Warren County was not among the authority’s top priorities. The project received the highest score on the SDA’s own objective ranking, in part because more than half the school’s students take class in 31 aging trailers, Superintendent Mark Miller said.
"If you’re going to set up criteria on a scoring basis and the highest score is the neediest, why is that school passed over?" Miller asked. "Where’s the equity there?"
Larkins said it would cost $123 million to build a new high school in Phillipsburg, a price tag that far exceeds that of the 10 schools selected. But Miller said the district received a cost estimate from the SDA six months ago that put the figure at $88 million.
"That was a cost given to us by the same construction management company that SDA hired," said Miller, who attended today’s hearing. "I think there are more questions that I have now than I had before."
Democratic members of the committee said the SDA’s rationale was an unacceptable method for deciding which schools get built first in the state’s neediest districts. Asked for a list of the subjective reasons why each project was included or excluded from the SDA’s list of 10 priority schools, Larkins said no such document exists.
"If there is a logical explanation for why these districts were selected over other projects, that’s something we all have to live with," said Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-Mercer), who chaired today’s hearing. "All I heard is the that the uniqueness of every situation was the common denominator. The criteria, the objective criteria was the exception."
The projects the SDA plans to advance include a high school in Elizabeth and elementary schools in Long Branch, Bridgeton, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Newark, Paterson and West New York. Announcement of the short list followed a year-long review of the authority’s 2008 capital plan, which called for construction of 52 new schools in the state’s poorest districts.
But even among the prioritized projects, delays continue. Larkins said by year’s end, he expects construction to have begun on only two new schools.
Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-Essex) questioned whether the authority’s intent is to stall school construction indefinitely. Now would seem like the perfect time to advance construction projects, she said, because so many New Jersey residents need to go back to work.
"Plans have been developed and school districts and students have been waiting," Jasey said. "I’m really wondering what’s going on here and why we still don’t have a timetable for getting these projects complete."
By Jessica Calefati and Salvador Rizzo/The Star-Ledger
Previous coverage:
• N.J. lawmaker: Head of Schools Development Authority hasn't adequately answered questions
• N.J. authority reveals approval process for $500M in construction projects at 10 schools
• N.J. lawmakers frustrated by lack of information on how 10 school constructions were approved
• Schools Development Authority CEO mum on spending plan for poor districts
• Gov. Christie announces recommendations for N.J. school construction projects
• Nearly 50 Schools Development Authority employees make more than $100K