The East Orange School District is under fire from the state for violating regulations after the school system failed to notify the Department of Education about budget problems.

The East Orange School Board last week voted to approve widespread layoffs, including 71 in school staff positions and four district employees, all due to an estimated $8 million budget gap, according to the board, which members say they were unaware of.

According to the Department of Arts regulations, districts are at risk of falling into a fiscal deficit, need to promptly notify the state of the conditions that caused the budget gap.

Representatives from the D.o.e.

met with East Orange district officials earlier this week, and say they're gathering more information to better understand the situation.