Wake Up Call NJ Co-Founder Donated $500K To Ciattarelli Super PAC: Report

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The co-founder of a nonprofit whose ad trucks have become a common sight in Montclair recently donated $500,000 to a super PAC for gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a report says.

Over the past weeks, Wake Up Call NJ has purchased advertising space and used trucks bearing large ads as part of a campaign to raise awareness about public school test scores in Montclair, which it says are too low.

The nonprofit’s campaign comes as the district struggles with a multi-million-dollar budget gap – which may cost more than 100 jobs.

>> Read More: 103 Montclair School Staff Laid Off, Given ‘Reduction In Force’ Notices

On its website, Wake Up Call NJ identifies itself as a “501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization and does not support or oppose any political candidate or party.”

“We started Wake Up Call because the children of the Garden State deserve better,” the nonprofit states.

“Too many of our students in public schools are behind in math and reading, and too many of our recent graduates are forced to take remedial classes in college,” the website reads. “We are not pointing a finger at teachers, principals or policymakers. Playing the ‘blame game’ doesn’t help our children.”

Last week, Montclair Local reported that Laura Overdeck, a co-founder of the nonprofit, donated $500,000 to Change NJ Inc., a super PAC that supports Ciattarelli.

Campaign donation filings with the state show that the donation was made on Sept. 23.

Overdeck, a registered Republican, told Montclair Local that the donation was “totally separate and unrelated” from her work with Wake Up Call NJ, noting that the group’s other co-founder, Pete Shulman is a registered Democrat.

“I find it puzzling that people think this campaign, or the towns we chose to highlight in this round, are relevant to the election,” Overdeck said.

The nonprofit is also conducting a similar campaign in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District.

Read the full article here.

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