N.J. lawmaker wants to revamp school funding

A conservative New Jersey senator is proposing a change in education funding.

Republican Sen. Mike Doherty says the current state funding system is unconstitutional. His plan would provide equal state aid per student regardless of need.

“Right now we have a system where 20 percent of the students are getting 60 percent of the funding and we have a system that has been hijacked by the New Jersey Supreme Court,” Doherty said.

He maintains schools in about 85 percent of the towns throughout the state would get more funding for their schools.

But David Sciarra, Education Law Center executive director, said Doherty’s plan would end the longstanding practice of making sure funding is based on student need. He said it would amount to an educational disaster for poor school districts.