A New Jersey school district will begin slashing jobs after a botched attempt to raise taxes to cover its nearly $20 million deficit , its superintendent said.

Montclair Public Schools will also try again to hike taxes through a voter referendum as it reels from a stunning budget crisis that’s divided the wealthy town, Superintendent Ruth B. Turner wrote in a letter to the community.

The district had warned of up to 150 job cuts or reassignments and deep cuts to student clubs, sports and busing unless the deficit could be closed through tax increases or a state loan. “Nearly all” cuts outlined at an October school board meeting will now go into effect, Turner wrote.

A judge last week ruled that previous referendum questions were too confusing and canceled a Dec. 9 vote, even aft

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