Posted by Anthony Chiappone and Bill Ayala for NJ State Assembly on May 31, 2005 at 10:29:54:

For immediate release:
Contact: Chris Vollmer, 201-683-0289

SCHOOL EXECS WINE AND DINE AT THE EXPENSE OF JERSEY CITY’S CHILDREN

While Jersey City's schools have been under state takeover for nearly a decade, a newly released report shows that the state-appointed school executives have been wining and dining themselves at taxpayer expense around the world - including thousands of dollars spent by School Superintendent Charles Epps on lavish trips to London and San Francisco.

According to the New Jersey Assembly Republican Minority office’s report on spending abuses at the 21 poorest school districts in New Jersey, Superintendent Epps ranks as the state's worst offender in this category - and is immediately followed on the list by 5 of his assistants.

Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone and Bill Ayala, who is the late Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham's former Chief of Staff, said they are demanding that the New Jersey Department of Education "thoroughly investigate these abuses" and pending the results, may ask that the State revoke Epps’ appointment as Superintendent. Epps, who makes over $140,000 per year and drives a new car provided to him with school funds, was named Superintendent of Jersey City Schools in 2000 after the State of New Jersey took over the district.

Among the abuses cited in the Assembly report are:

1. Jersey City Schools Superintendent Charles Epps went to Oxford, England in July 2004 to participate in a roundtable. Total reimbursements to the Superintendent were $5,179. He also went to San Francisco in April 2003.

2. Six Jersey City school employees went to Orlando, Florida from July 12 to July 19, 2003 for a professional development seminar. The total reimbursed cost to one employee was $2,058, an excessive amount.

3. While in Phoenix, a school employee enjoyed a $48.95 entrée of “Lob Sea Brocoli” [sic] and a $20 pork chop. Apparently, 11 employees went on the trip. Total reimbursements to one employee was almost $1,100.

4. While in Orlando, staffers ordered a $65 “degus table” at Emeril’s restaurant. The degus table is a five course gourmet meal. There are also receipts for Islands of Adventure, located in Disney World. The total cost of four degus meals, before sales tax, was $260.

5. Dated July 15, 2003, one receipt shows Samoa Snacks, located in the Disney World Resort. The time stamp says 3:11 p.m. Reimbursements to the employee totaled $2,058.
6. In March 2004, 16 staffers went to Teaneck for a conference. Overnight lodging for at least one person was $250 per night. Teaneck is 15 miles from Jersey City.

But Epps’ quest for the good life apparently hasn’t stopped at a homeroom near you. In April, he declared himself a candidate for Assembly – which pays an additional $50,000. Whether he can serve in the Assembly at all is in question due to a state law that bars state-elected officials to hold another state-appointed job – which Epps does as Superintendent in a state-run district.

Also in question is a for-profit educational services business Epps has been operating while serving as Superintendent of Jersey City Schools. Chiappone and Ayala questioned how Epps could possibly perform his duties in one of the state’s neediest districts while managing a conflicting business and being a politician on the side.

The proof, they say, is in the numbers.

The New Jersey 2004 School Report Card - published by the Department of Education - stated that under Epps tenure, spending on the same administrators cited in the Assembly report on abuse jumped by 12% - which is 50% higher than the state average. The Report Card also noted that spending per pupil on School administrators’ salaries in Jersey City was higher than total spending per pupil on textbooks and educational materials in the classroom.

Finally, the Report Card stated that under Epps’ tenure, SAT Math scores have dropped in Jersey City for three years in a row, graduating students passing the HSPA is at 37.5% (compared to 77.1% statewide) and suspensions are up 400% - all of which Chiappone and Ayala cite as evidence that “Epps and his administrators are too busy taking care of themselves to even care about the future of the children for whom they are responsible.”

“Jersey City has great kids who deserve dedicated leadership in their schools,” said Chiappone and Ayala. “Our children’s future should be a full-time job and what they have gotten instead is more politics in the classroom than textbooks.”

Follow Ups:

• A bigger cancer Doomdays coming for them 13:23:10 05/31/05 (2)
  • Re: A bigger cancer Couldn't happen to nicer fellows. 21:29:51 05/31/05 (1)
    • Re: A bigger cancer Oh yeah and Manzo wears a halo....get real! 23:16:05 05/31/05 (0)

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Comments:
: For immediate release:
: Contact:	Chris Vollmer, 201-683-0289
: 	
: SCHOOL EXECS WINE AND DINE AT THE EXPENSE OF JERSEY CITY’S CHILDREN 

: While Jersey City's schools have been under state takeover for nearly a decade, a newly released report shows that the state-appointed school executives have been wining and dining themselves at taxpayer expense around the world - including thousands of dollars spent by School Superintendent Charles Epps on lavish trips to London and San Francisco.

: According to the New Jersey Assembly Republican Minority office’s report on spending abuses at the 21 poorest school districts in New Jersey, Superintendent Epps ranks as the state's worst offender in this category - and is immediately followed on the list by 5 of his assistants.

: Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone and Bill Ayala, who is the late Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham's former Chief of Staff, said they are demanding that the New Jersey Department of Education "thoroughly investigate these abuses" and pending the results, may ask that the State revoke Epps’ appointment as Superintendent.  Epps, who makes over $140,000 per year and drives a new car provided to him with school funds, was named Superintendent of Jersey City Schools in 2000 after the State of New Jersey took over the district. 

: Among the abuses cited in the Assembly report are:
:  
: 1.	Jersey City Schools Superintendent Charles Epps went to Oxford, England in July 2004 to participate in a roundtable. Total reimbursements to the Superintendent were $5,179. He also went to San Francisco in April 2003.

: 2.	Six Jersey City school employees went to Orlando, Florida from July 12 to July 19, 2003 for a professional development seminar. The total reimbursed cost to one employee was $2,058, an excessive amount.

: 3.	While in Phoenix, a school employee enjoyed a $48.95 entrée of “Lob Sea Brocoli” [sic] and a $20 pork chop. Apparently, 11 employees went on the trip. Total reimbursements to one employee was almost $1,100.

: 4.	While in Orlando, staffers ordered a $65 “degus table” at Emeril’s restaurant. The degus table is a five course gourmet meal. There are also receipts for Islands of Adventure, located in Disney World. The total cost of four degus meals, before sales tax, was $260.

: 5.	Dated July 15, 2003, one receipt shows Samoa Snacks, located in the Disney World Resort. The time stamp says 3:11 p.m. Reimbursements to the employee totaled $2,058.
: 6.	In March 2004, 16 staffers went to Teaneck for a conference. Overnight lodging for at least one person was $250 per night. Teaneck is 15 miles from Jersey City.

: But Epps’ quest for the good life apparently hasn’t stopped at a homeroom near you.  In April, he declared himself a candidate for Assembly – which pays an additional $50,000.  Whether he can serve in the Assembly at all is in question due to a state law that bars state-elected officials to hold another state-appointed job – which Epps does as Superintendent in a state-run district.
:   
: Also in question is a for-profit educational services business Epps has been operating while serving as Superintendent of Jersey City Schools.  Chiappone and Ayala questioned how Epps could possibly perform his duties in one of the state’s neediest districts while managing a conflicting business and being a politician on the side.

: The proof, they say, is in the numbers.

: The New Jersey 2004 School Report Card - published by the Department of Education - stated that under Epps tenure, spending on the same administrators cited in the Assembly report on abuse jumped by 12% - which is 50% higher than the state average.   The Report Card also noted that spending per pupil on School administrators’ salaries in Jersey City was higher than total spending per pupil on textbooks and educational materials in the classroom.

: Finally, the Report Card stated that under Epps’ tenure, SAT Math scores have dropped in Jersey City for three years in a row, graduating students passing the HSPA is at 37.5% (compared to 77.1% statewide) and suspensions are up 400% - all of which Chiappone and Ayala cite as evidence that “Epps and his administrators are too busy taking care of themselves to even care about the future of the children for whom they are responsible.”

: “Jersey City has great kids who deserve dedicated leadership in their schools,” said Chiappone and Ayala.  “Our children’s future should be a full-time job and what they have gotten instead is more politics in the classroom than textbooks.”


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