The Record of Bergen County-Star-Ledger of Newark's Statehouse Bureau obtained a Nov. 19 e-mail from a member of Christie's transition team that asked the state Education Department not to request a grant from Washington.
The Education Department last week said it would not seek up to $400 million so the decision would be left for Christie.
Soon after, a Christie spokeswoman said the Republican governor-elect was "completely frustrated" that the state wasn't seeking the funds.
The Education Department announced this week that it would apply for the money.
