AR-News: (NJ - US)Tax $ for needy children's education instead bought prime beef cuts, etc.

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Posted on Sun, Mar. 21, 2004 
 
Audits find preschools not using tax money for education

Associated Press


HACKENSACK, N.J. - Tax money slated for needy children's educations has instead bought prime cuts of beef and denture cleaner and gone toward other unrelated expenses for some New Jersey preschools.

About a dozen audits have been sent to the state Attorney General's Office for possible prosecution, The Sunday Record of Bergen County reported.

The audits by different state agencies were conducted of preschools funded under the state Supreme Court's Abbott vs. Burke decision. The case decided in 1998 that preschool education was vital for children in the 30 poorest school districts to achieve as highly as those in wealthier regions.

Abbott preschools receive about $10,000 per child per year, with the state spending a total of $400 million.

But auditors, who have reviewed just a fraction of about 500 Abbott preschool programs, said some are operating "without fiscal controls and accountability."

The state Department of Education must tighten contracts with school programs "in order to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of public education funds," auditors said.

The state Education Department official charged with dealing with the Abbott districts said oversight of the preschools has increased since he started work in 2002. He said the department uncovered the information in the audits.

"We're very attentive to this and want to see every dollar go where it should. The idea that this is representative of what's going on is totally incorrect," said Gordon MacInnes, an assistant commissioner in the state Department of Education

He said of about 30 audits, about 12 were referred for possible prosecution by the state Attorney General.

An audit by the Office of Legislative Services found that centers in Newark, Pleasantville, Millville, Camden, Trenton and Vineland spend money on gift certificates, church donations and back taxes.

A lack of required criminal background checks for workers and questionable withdrawals from cash machines were found by a separate audit by a different agency.

Details of the audit reports found that three day care centers in West New York used money for home furniture, adult clothing, prime cuts of beef and fish, Efferdent, cat litter and coffee.

In Vineland, auditors found that Unique Discovery Preschool failed to pay employees and vendors on time. They also said the owner did not have adequate education materials and had made cash loans to "officers."

A Newark school, which is now closed, couldn't provide sufficient documentation to support the business purpose of more than 1,600 bank withdrawals totaling $160,677.

Auditors said the director of The Children's Center for Learning in New Brunswick gave herself a salary and bonus of $175,000 last year and $184,750 the year before. She also hired her own cafe to feed the children.

The newspaper also reported that it found a wide range of quality during visits to more than 24 preschools. Some children played in dimly lighted basement rooms, and may lack supplies or playgrounds. Other children have elaborate play areas, colorful classrooms and new toys.

"Some programs are wonderful. Others are not," said Carolyn Fleischer, a veteran teacher hired by the state to evaluate Abbott schools.

MacInnes said there was no excuse for misuse of taxpayer money intended for educating children. "I'm not opposed to people making a living operating this program or making a profit. I'm opposed to people abusing it," he said.

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