TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Chris Christie has reportedly offered the former District of Columbia’s schools chancellor the job of New Jersey education commissioner.

Two people familiar with the negotiations told The Star-Ledger of Newark Michelle Rhee is seriously considering the offer.

The job opened up when Christie fired Bret Schundler after a mistake helped cost the state a $400 million federal grant.

Newark school officials said when Rhee was initially approached, she quickly turned down the offer thinking Christie wanted her to run the Newark schools. Rhee declined comment.