A judge has ruled that Montclair's referendum to vote on a school funding plan cannot move forward.

The special election was scheduled for next Tuesday, December 9th, and residents were asked to answer two questions.

Both would increase the tax levy by millions of dollars.

One of those options would put in place a state monitor to oversee the Montclair School District's finances.

But after two lawsuits were brought by township residents, a judge decided the wording of the questions was not clear.

He called it a, quote, "convoluted statement" and threw it out.

The questions asked residents to approve the referendum, but never specifically asked them to approve a tax increase.

Without the additional funds, the district has said it would be forced to lay off more than 100 teachers and staff, which Superintendent Ruth Turner says will impact critical programs and services that students depend on.

The next possible election date for a reworded referendum is March, and the district says it's considering all of its legal options.

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