As many remember Learning Commons project organizers believed a state facilities grant, would supply the last additional needed funds for the community-driven project, even though grants had been awarded across the state, including $434,220 to Ridgewood to finance other work at the high school, the Learning Commons did not fall within the parameters of the grant requirements.
In September 2012 The Ridgewood High School (RHS) Home and School Association (HSA) launched an aggressive fall fundraising campaign to pay for the transformation of the RHS library into a space better suited for 21st century learners. At the time it was thought that the renovation would potentially cost $850,000.The new RHS Learning Commons was needed to replace a library that has not been renovated since it was originally designed in 1963. After a little debate the Village embraced the idea and the needed funds were raised .
