NEWARK, N.J. — Your school district might be faced with closing and selling schools to close their budget gap, but the prime beneficiary of New Jersey school state aid is living high on the hog.
The Newark School Board authorized spending up to $2.8 million in taxpayer money for catered meals at meetings and events, drawing sharp criticism from a Republican state senator who accused the district of reckless spending.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) slammed the move, citing it as another example of what he called the district’s “obscene spending habits,” which have included travel expenditures and recreational staff events.
“Newark School system has set the gold standard of setting taxpayer dollars on fire,” O’Scanlon said in a statement.
The catering expenses reportedly covered continental breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and afternoon refreshments.
The Newark School District in New Jersey has recently come under scrutiny for authorizing up to $2.8 million in spending on catering and takeout meals, primarily for administrators rather than students. Over the past two years, the Newark School Board approved this expenditure in three unanimous votes, allocating up to $200,000 each to 14 different restaurants and caterers.
This decision has sparked outrage among critics who argue that the funds, derived from taxpayer money, should be directed toward improving educational resources—such as updating outdated textbooks or repairing deteriorating school infrastructure—rather than lavish spending on administrative perks.
The controversy highlights broader concerns about fiscal priorities and accountability within the district, especially as it manages a $1.57 billion budget for the upcoming school year.
The district, which serves a large student population and receives significant state funding ($75 million additional next year, comprising 84.2% of its budget), is already navigating enrollment growth and potential federal funding uncertainties under the incoming Trump administration.
While Superintendent Roger León has emphasized conservative spending in areas like Title I funding, the $2.8 million catering allocation stands in stark contrast, fueling debates about resource allocation.
The Newark School District now faces pressure to justify this expenditure and demonstrate how it aligns with the needs of its students and teachers, rather than solely benefiting administrators.
The senator compared the district’s spending to “an all-you-can-eat buffet style of fiscal irresponsibility.”
O’Scanlon has been an outspoken critic of the Newark School District’s financial management. In June, he publicly condemned the district’s use of public funds for a “Superintendent’s Staff Fun Day” and for costly out-of-state travel, including trips to Hawaii.
He also pointed out that while Newark spends heavily, over a hundred school districts across New Jersey are struggling with severe State aid cuts. “If we don’t address this ongoing waste, it won’t just be our tax dollars getting cooked—it’ll be our students,” said O’Scanlon.
Last week, the senator announced plans to introduce legislation that would fully restore State aid to any district that experienced a net funding loss between fiscal years 2018 and 2025.
