Governor Christie To Discuss School Fairness Formula In Wayne Tuesday

WAYNE, N.J. — Governor Chris Christie will discuss his controversial Fairness Formula at a town hall meeting in Wayne Tuesday.

The plan calls for all public school districts to receive the same amount — $6,599 — per pupil in tax dollars. The plan is designed to curb the state's ever-increasing property taxes and reverse failing urban school districts, known as Abbott districts. Christie is pushing the plan as a way of equalizing taxes for everyone.

Christie will highlight the formula and take questions from the audience at the Packanack Lake Clubhouse, 52 Lake Drive West, at 3 p.m., doors will open at 2 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The average Wayne homeowner stands to save more than $2,100 in annual school taxes under the Fairness Formula.

The plan was met with immediate opposition. The New Jersey Education Association called it “despicable” and an idea that would set the state’s progress in education back decades.

An interactive website has been created that breaks down the plan’s projected effect on every municipality in the state and how the formula works.

Attendees should send an RSVP to FairnessFormula.Wayne@nj.gov.

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Governor Chris Christie, Patch file photo