Garden State Times

Senator Declan O'Scanlon has strongly criticized the Paterson School Board for its misuse of taxpayer money, particularly in approving excessive travel expenses for a trip to New Orleans. In a statement, Senator O'Scanlon expressed his concerns about the pattern of extravagant travel by school board members, stating, "Paterson schools' misuse of taxpayer money follows a pattern of self-indulgent travel by school board members to extravagant places like Las Vegas, Honolulu, and now New Orleans."

Highlighting the disconnect between increased State aid for certain districts and the lack of direct impact on students, Senator O'Scanlon emphasized the urgent need for reform in the school aid funding formula. He called for the Department of Education (DOE) to take action by deducting wasteful spending from future grants and urged for committee hearings to address these issues effectively.

Senator O'Scanlon also questioned the benefits to students from such luxurious trips taken by school officials, stressing the importance of prioritizing educational needs over extravagant travel. He pointed out that resources should be directed towards helping students recover from learning loss, rather than funding unnecessary trips.

The senator's concerns extend beyond Paterson, as he referenced a previous instance involving Newark school officials using taxpayer dollars for travel to various locations, including San Diego, Miami, Puerto Rico, and Honolulu. This further emphasizes the need for accountability and responsible use of public funds within the education sector.

In light of these revelations, Senator O'Scanlon's call for reforms to address wasteful school spending resonates with the broader goal of ensuring that State aid is effectively utilized to benefit students and educational outcomes across districts.