Council Approves $17,500 For Controversial Audit Review Of Parsippany School Board

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Tensions between the Parsippany Council and the township Board of Education continue to escalate following the official approval of a vote to allocate up to $17,500 for an audit review of the Board of Education.

Last month, Parsippany Mayor James Barberio announced his intention to authorize a private audit review of the township's school board. He said this measure was to ensure that the board members were making "sound financial decisions" for the district, citing what he described as "irrational behavior" by some board members.

In response, School Board President Andrew Choffo claimed that the mayor was intentionally targeting board members who participate in political activities opposing him.

Choffo argued that the mayor's objections and characterization of these members as irrational were politically motivated, noting that several members have publicly supported Councilman Justin Musella, who is challenging the mayor in the 2025 Republican primary.

The dispute over the audit reached a climax this week when the council voted 3-2 to approve up to $17,500 for hiring the accounting firm DiMaria and DiMaria to audit the Board of Education's finances. Although the resolution does not specifically name the school board, it authorizes a contract with the firm for "professional auditing and accounting services."

In response to public comments at the beginning of the meeting about the resolution, Barberio clarified that the resolution did not approve an audit but rather a review of the board's finances. “It’s not an audit; it’s a review of their audit,” he explained. “Their numbers (the BOE) are all over the place.”

"I have no clue why they are so worried about this... If everything is in check and everything is fine, then there is really nothing to worry about. It's not political," Barberio added.

Barberio has been at odds with the board and Musella over several development projects that were approved for municipal tax breaks (also known as PILOTs) late last year.

PILOT agreements, also known as municipal tax abatements, are deals that allow a developer to replace their standard tax payments for a property with a fixed, yearly payment to the municipality.

Last November, Alison Cogan, former school board president, voiced her frustration over the school district's exclusion from discussions about the PILOTs.

Additionally, the school district issued a public statement expressing its disapproval of the PILOT program and encouraged community members to attend upcoming council meetings to voice their opposition to the projects.

"Let's talk about the PILOT money. There is no PILOT money going to the schools; you want to know why? No PILOTS have taken effect. A PILOT does not begin until there is a CO, a certificate of occupancy. So, not one PILOT has affected the schools whatsoever. Not one. PILOT or no PILOT, they get their money," Barberio said on Tuesday.

Prior to the vote, Neglia, a former school board president who has faced criticism from the current board for supporting Barberio's actions, read a statement into the record defending both the mayor and the council. In his statement, he also accused Musella and members of the board of spreading misinformation.

"Musella and certain Board of Ed members continue to lie that PILOTs take money away from the schools. This is a lie, and they know it," Neglia said. "Stop lying to our residents and children that PILOTs will cause programs to be cut."

"Justin Musella is a fool being used to do the Board of Ed's bidding because he thinks it will get him votes. Justin, that is why I can't respect you," Neglia added.

In his statement, Neglia also alleged that Musella helped distribute a document supporting the board and criticizing the town's administration, a claim that Musella firmly denied.

"Let's go back to your most incendiary charge, that I handed that out. What proof? You were not at this meeting; you showed up with a picture that's not even me, so what proof do you have that I handed out something like that?" Musella questioned. "I have never for one second questioned yours or the mayor's commitment to the town. I'm going to raise my child here, who is going to go through the education system, so don't ever say for one second that I don't care about this town."

Barberio, when asked to comment on the situation, stated that no one was trying to attack Musella. He emphasized that he welcomes disagreement from all council members and respects their opinions.