From The Press of Atlantic City — More than 130 school districts, including 11 in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and southern Ocean counties, will get more than $180 million in state aid for construction projects announced Friday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

Most of the grants are for upgrades or repairs to existing schools. The two biggest local projects are new early childhood centers in Buena Regional and Little Egg Harbor Township.

In order to receive the state funds, school districts must also get a local share of money through either a bond referendum or local school budget approval.

The state funds are the first round of grants from legislation signed in July authorizing state borrowing of $3.9 billion for school construction. The law allocates $1 billion to suburban non-Abbott districts called ROD, or regular operating districts.

Corzine said the grants will help those districts pay for needed repairs and upgrades as well as provide jobs to spur the economy.

The local school ROD projects are:

Mullica Township: Install toilet rooms and upgrades to convert six classrooms for preschoolers at the Primary School. Cost: $297,664. State grant: $150,744.

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