Officials with the East Orange School District say that the district has received the highest increase in state funding in nearly 20 years.

In a letter to the community, school officials announced that the district would receive a 5.3% funding increase, which equates to an extra $9.3 million. They say this is the largest increase the district has seen in 17 years.

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“This funding increase will allow us to make critical investments in our schools,” school Superintendent Dr. Christopher Irving wrote in a statement. “We are working diligently to settle several collective bargaining contracts and address much-needed capital improvements across the district.”

The funding increase follows the laying off of 75 staff members in December. Irving previously stated that the district had a nearly $8 million budget gap.