South Orange-Maplewood Schools To Get Large State Aid Increase

SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Public schools, and their students, can always use more funds. Luckily for kids in the South Orange-Maplewood School District, numbers released on Thursday say that the district will get more state aid for the 2020-2021 school year than the current year.

On Thursday, the administration of Gov. Phil Murphy released proposed state aid numbers for every school district. A total of 193 school districts, or about a third, will see a decrease under his school funding plan (see list here). However, overall, state aid for all districts is expected to increase 3.8 percent next year.

The plan still requires approval from the state legislature.

The South Orange-Maplewood School District is one of several in Essex County that will see an increase this year.

According to the numbers released Thursday, the district will get a whopping 15.8 percent more state aid for grades K-12 next year than during the current year.

Some districts will have to make up for a loss by finding other revenue sources (such as raising property taxes), tightening their budgets, or starting layoffs.

Those wanting to see the fruits of the students' and educators' labors can check out Patch's articles on school plays and other programs in the Maplewood and South Orange schools by clicking here.