School districts across New Jersey face looming layoffs and program cuts after the state government failed for the seventh year in a row to increase state school aid despite rising costs. Nowhere will the cuts be greater than in the state’s urban districts.

In Paterson, 363 jobs will be cut, while in Atlantic City 223 positions will be eliminated. Trenton is set to cut 163 positions and Camden, 90. Newark, the state’s largest city, is already slated to lose 155 support staff for next year and is bracing for even more cuts.

The reductions will have a substantial impact on individual schools. At School 7 in Paterson, nine of the 30 teachers will be laid off. Students will return in the fall to a school with no librarian or music teacher, and they will receive science and social studies instruction for only half the year. In addition, fewer classroom aides will be available to help students who fall behind.

“Are we able to survive and open the building next year? Yes. But it’s going to be tough to maintain the level of rigor and the options that exist for students now,” said the school’s principal, Nicholas Vancheri.

Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, insists that the state does not have more money for schools and that additional funds will not help schools anyway.

NorthJersey.com, June 15