Is there any non-corrupt public servants out there?

[mikeg826]

Seriously, 6 years and you never realized you weren't packing your kids lunch?




Elizabeth, NJ - Elizabeth Board of Education officials say they will now cross-check payroll information against the applications of all employees seeking free or low-cost meals for their kids, following allegations of abuses in the school lunch program.

The move came a day after board President Marie L. Munn said she had paid back $2,682 to cover the cost of free meals her children had improperly received over a six-year period.

At the same time, the district said it had followed all proper procedures in processing the applications for Munn and two other high-level school administrators who were receiving benefits through a federally supported program that helps feed the children of needy families.

"The board did what it was supposed to, based on the information provided," said Kirk C. Nelson, the board’s general counsel.

The state Attorney General’s office has launched a criminal investigation into the Elizabeth school district, following an examination of the free lunch program by The Star-Ledger.

Nelson said administration of the program is largely based on the honor system.

"The program is meant to encourage, not discourage, free meals at school for those families who cannot afford them," he said.


Nelson said the board audits 3 percent of all applications at random, as required by law, but has been told it cannot specifically target individuals for income checks.

"Nevertheless, to the extent allowed by law, the district will proactively cross-check all employee families who apply for the program to compare known salary information with program guidelines," he said.

Basically, Nelson said, that means the district will compare the list of families participating in the subsidized lunch program against all employees with salaries above the federal qualifying incomes.

Both administrators whose children were receiving free or reduced cost lunches have already been placed on paid leave, pending an investigation of the matter.

Nelson said the two have discussed reimbursing the board for the benefits they received.

Marlene Abitanto — who makes $73,350 as supervisor of custodians — told the board her application for her daughter was submitted by her husband without her knowledge. Nelson said that when she discovered it, she immediately asked to repay the program.

The Abitantos received $1,738.95 in benefits, according to Nelson, and are making arrangements to return the money.

Carlos Lucio — an Elizabeth school principal who makes $103,163 a year — told the board the application for his daughter was submitted by his divorced spouse without his knowledge. Nelson said the board, subject to further audits by the state, determined Lucio’s child received $833.85 in benefits. Lucio also made an offer to repay the money, Nelson said.

On Wednesday, Munn, the board president, said she had repaid the district $2,682 to cover the free meals her children had received over a six year period.

In a statement, Munn — who is employed and acknowledged she was ineligible for the program — blamed misunderstandings for the fact she was unaware her two children were receiving free lunch until contacted by a reporter for The Star-Ledger.

Nelson said approximately 19,000 Elizabeth students, or 88 percent of the school population, qualified for the free lunch program last year. The district received $7.6 million in assistance.



Maria Munn

[NEVRL8T]

My daughter was on the school lunch program for a couple of years after she first started school. We have come a long way since then.

[Bill]

I guess the lunch fairy just magically fed their kids each day at lunch.

Criminals, all of them. They should not only lose their jobs, they should enjoy a some free meals themselves.....in the pokie.

[Yerf Dog]

Cheats and liars.

[HeatherO]

Elizabeth NJ is a shithole. This article does not surprise me at all...

[theriver]

Originally Posted by HeatherO

Elizabeth NJ is a shithole. This article does not surprise me at all...

and doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of thievery

[wicked_c6]

School district one county over from mine just started a new program this year. All kids, regardless of income, are now allowed to get breakfast and lunch from the school. Under some grant provided by the feds. Apparently, the admins didn't want to unfairly embarrass those kids getting free lunches so they opened it up to all kids...

Hey I'm all for feeding kids if they are hungry...but cmon... I don't know what the solution is... I wouldn't want a kid being harrassed because he/she doesn't have parent(s) with enough money to make lunches... THough I do think its more about parents being responsible vs irresponsible.

I make breakfast (not cereal - but a hot breakfast like eggs/bacon or pancakes sausage, etc) every day for my two daughters...and pack a good lunch.

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I guess the lunch fairy just magically fed their kids each day at lunch.

Criminals, all of them. They should not only lose their jobs, they should enjoy a some free meals themselves.....in the pokie.

[Firevette]

Originally Posted by HeatherO

Elizabeth NJ is a shithole. This article does not surprise me at all...

This.

[HeatherO]

my kids bought lunch at a reduced cost when they were very young and I was newly separated from a DB that refused to work and support his kids

the lunches were horrible and they didn't care to eat them, so I would pack them lunches that they liked that were waaaay better than what they were passing as food at the school...when they got to middle school, they were too cool to bring lunch from home

[Luetic]

Ron Paul

[VatorMan]

Truthfully, I wouldn't mind the school feeding all kids. Yes, it might give som dirtbag parents more $$$$ to play with, but it would also feed the kids that HAVE dirtbag parents that don't feed them properly.