BAYONNE – New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner David Hespe will visit Bayonne to meet with city and Bayonne Board of Education officials on Monday, March 16 to discuss the ongoing issue of where millions of dollars in state-reimbursed money is, both the city and board confirmed on Feb. 12.
City officials contend that $7.4 million sent by the state to the Board of Education to pay for a portion of projects completed in Bayonne schools has not been reimbursed to the city, which had to bond for the initiatives because of the type of school district Bayonne was at the time. Another $4.4 million for open projects is also at issue.
The Board of Education counters that it is up to date in all monies owed the city, including payments made and projects with the city that the board has written off.
The meeting was requested for 10 a.m. on March 16 at the Board of Education offices on Avenue A, a source said.
“We received from the Department of Education for the state, the commissioner’s office, a request for a meeting with me, the mayor, and the superintendent of schools,” said Business Administrator Joseph DeMarco when asked about the gathering. “We expect a member or two of the Board of Education also. We’ll bring along our chief financial officer, Terrence Malloy.”
Board President William Lawson said he had received an email about the meeting and would be attending. Lawson said that Schools Superintendent Patricia McGeehan and Assistant Administrator/Business Administrator Leo Smith would be attending as well.
Mayor James Davis had sent a letter to Hespe’s office on Jan. 22 regarding the matter.
Lawson said he was not aware of any agenda for the meeting.
DeMarco said city officials were “looking forward” to the upcoming get-together.
“Hopefully, we can resolve this,” Smith said. –Joseph Passantino
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