New Jersey judge to probe fairness of school funding formula

New Jersey’s Supreme Court has appointed a special master to collect more information about the adequacy of education funding.

The Justices voted to name Superior Court Judge Peter Doyne to hold a hearing to consider whether the current level of the state’s school aid is enough to provide a through and efficient education as required by the state’s constitution.

The Christie administration cut spending for education by a billion dollars last year to balance New Jersey’s budget. The high court says the state has the burden of showing funding is sufficient.

Bob Williams is a professor at Rutgers Law School in Camden. He says the appointment of a special master does not resolve the funding issue.

“It will be put off it sounds like for re-argument in March. Then I believe the court is committed to a pretty quick determination that can be useful for the next fiscal year”, he said.

The court’s order calls for Judge Doyne to issue his findings no later than March 31st.