A few weeks ago, the accounting firm KPMG issued an appalling Report detailing $16 million in wasteful spending in a few school districts, especially in Camden. Over $13 million was wasted in that district, including car payments for a former superintendent and her legal fees stemming from a state investigation. The full report is at: state.nj.us/njded/news/2007/0130abb.htm.
It's a sick story and all too familiar to residents of a state saddled with Abbott districts and an absurdly strong teacher's union. Then comes this report from Camden today:
17 students arrested, 6 in the hospital after a schoolwide brawl. Police actually had to lock down the building and all the students were sent home. Mace and Tazers were used. Students were forced to leave the school without coats, and had to walk home, since the buses weren't running. The situation sounds Third World. But it happened Monday in Camden, where school administrators had access to $13 million of state aid that went for car payments.