New Jersey Senate Republicans

10/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2026 12:24

O’Scanlon Statement on State Auditor’s Newark School District Audit

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O'Scanlon Statement on State Auditor's Newark School District Audit

Declan O'Scanlon Posted on October 01, 2026

Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth) issued the following statement today regarding the State Auditor's latest audit of the Newark School District, which identified millions of dollars in questionable and wasteful spending:

"Today, the State Auditor identified another round of wasteful spending in the Newark School District. It identified tens of millions of dollars of waste on everything from millions for a "museum" that remains a bombed out, fenced off building, a gym in an administrative building; senior trips with no educational components; and overpaying for health care."

"That's on top of past waste on trips to exotic islands, balloons, parties… and future colossal waste on a half billion dollar lease for a new building that costs more per student than total per pupil spending in other school districts."

"State taxpayers fund about 85 percent of every dollar wasted in Newark while other schools are left grossly underfunded. It's disgusting. State taxpayers and children in Newark deserve better. Getting state taxpayer money back and fixing the school funding formula is way overdue."

Pictured: As of May 2026, Newark School District's museum project remains incomplete despite being a year past the contractual completion deadline. Additional photos on page 14 of the State Auditor's report.

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