2 N.J. Panels Diverge on Funding-Equity Solution

By Karen Diegmueller

A pair of commissions charged with finding a solution to New Jersey's protracted problem of inequitable school funding appeared last week to have clouded the issue by recommending dramatically different approaches.

The divergent proposals present Gov. Christine Todd Whitman with tough political decisions as she attempts to deliver on her campaign promise to reduce taxes while satisfying a mandate from the state supreme court that poor schools be funded fairly.

Last week, a commission created by the legislature and former Gov. James J. Florio approved a plan that would bring per-pupil funding in the poorest districts up to the average level of the wealthiest...