Senator Rice Calls for an Investigation into Newark Schools

From the District Office of Senator Ronald Rice:

NEWARK – Senator Ronald L. Rice has reissued his call for top state education and law enforcement officials to launch an investigation into the handling of administrative and fiscal affairs within the Newark Public Schools.

Senator Rice, who serves as co-chair of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, recently sent a letter to acting state Education Commissioner David Hespe requesting that he coordinate with acting Attorney General John Hoffman and acting state Comptroller Marc Larkins to investigate a host of serious issues involving the district, and affecting the educational environment for students throughout the city. The senator also requested an audit of the district.

The letter follows correspondence Senator Rice sent to Acting Commissioner Hespe on May 20, 2014 requesting an investigation. This latest letter also comes after calls by other members of the Legislature for an investigation into reported spending abuses at the Newark Public Schools.

“Newark students are preparing to begin another school year and, unfortunately, the questionable handling of numerous matters concerning the district has yet to be addressed,” said Senator Rice (D-Essex). “I am reissuing my request for an investigation into the administrative and financial decisions that have been made within the district. These are issues concerning conflicts of interest and potentially more serious matters that cannot be ignored. Since the state-appointed superintendent is not answerable to the school board or to the public, it is up to the state to examine the district’s affairs.”