Schools

Newark Schools Spend $22K Per Month on Take-Out Food, Report Says

District says purchases were justified for school-related events to encourage parent involvement and to recognize student achievements.

Newark Public Schools spent more than $330,000 on take-out food over a 15-month period ending in May, according to an NBC New York report.

NBC New York's I-Team discovered the district spent an average of $22,000 per month on food from places like Sandwiches Unlimited, SuzyQue's BBQ and King’s Family Restaurant and Catering.

Vanessa Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the district, said the food expenses were justified. She said nearly all of the food went to school-related events geared toward encouraging parent involvement and recognizing student achievements, according to the report.

Rodriguez also pointed to union rules that require food service to be available for teachers working late as another reason for the high amount of purchases, the report said.

Newark schools, which have been under the state's control since 1995, have seen several student protests in recent years against budget cuts.

More than 500 Newark students rallied in April to call for local control of the schools. A similar protest was held last year outside the home of Superintendent Cami Anderson, who was recently reappointed by Gov. Chris Christie to remain the city's schools chief.


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