CHRISTIE SCHOOL FUNDING OVERHAUL PLAN WOULD MEAN BIG BUCKS TO SOMA SCHOOLS

Gov. Chris Christie's proposal to drastically change the state school funding formula would mean a huge windfall for South Orange and Maplewood.

The proposed plan, revealed Tuesday, would give each district the same amount in state aid per pupil - $6,500.

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While it would have a severe adverse effect on urban districts like Newark, which now gets $21,000 per pupil, and Camden, which receives $30,000 per pupil, the South Orange-Maplewood district would see a huge increase.

According to a Star-Ledger statewide analysis, our $626.83 in aid per pupil would jump more than 900%, adding another $5,873.17 per pupil to meet the $6,500 amount.

But the likelihood of it passing may be slim, given its impact on poor districts. Still, if it is a voter referendum in 2017, anything is possible.