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Board approves BEST grant application to replace aging infrastructure at Running Creek Middle School

Elizabeth School District Board of Education · February 25, 2026

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Summary

The board approved submitting a BEST grant application seeking roughly $2.3 million for infrastructure projects (boilers, water heaters, smoke detectors) at Running Creek Middle School; staff noted the state match calculation currently shows an 81% local match requirement and that waivers will be pursued if needed.

District staff presented an application for the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant program, identifying priority infrastructure needs at Running Creek Middle School and other sites: roof and heating system replacements, boilers and hot water heaters, and a smoke-detector upgrade estimated at roughly $73,000 for a fire-code-required component. Staff said the total project ask is about $2.3 million and noted the state-calculated local match is currently 0.81 (81%), a high local contribution driven by the county’s calculated bond capacity and demographic factors.

Staff said they will submit the application by the March 2 deadline, meet with the grant program reviewers the following morning to review details, and prepare waiver arguments to reduce the required local match if appropriate. The board discussed timeline (awards announced by the end of the summer) and construction windows (projects would largely be scheduled for the summer of 2027 to avoid student disruption). The board then voted by roll call to approve the application as presented.

Board members asked staff to prepare implementation plans and clarified that the grant (if awarded) requires proof the district can complete projects within a 36-month period. No additional local funding appropriation was approved at this meeting; staff will return with implementation plans if the grant is awarded.