The New York Post has reported that the School Construction Authority (SCA) of New York City, responsible for designing and constructing public schools, has been making billion-dollar decisions without the legally required oversight.
This has raised concerns among education watchdogs, who have questioned the legality of the SCA's actions.
According to the law, the SCA is required to have three trustees at all times, including the chancellor and two others appointed by the mayor. The law states, Each appointed member shall continue in office until a successor has been appointed and qualifies. However, when trustee Lorraine Grillo stepped down on August 31, 2023, the mayor failed to appoint a replacement. This left only Chancellor David Banks (or first deputy Daniel Weisberg acting in his stead) and technology businessman Peter McCree to oversee the sprawling agency.
As reported by The New York Post, the two trustees have approved contracts with consultants and construction companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars, passed a $287.3 million operating budget, and adopted a $17 billion four-year capital plan in the past year. Leonie Haimson, executive director of Class Size Matters, criticized the mayor and the SCA for their lack of leadership and disregard for the law. She said, It shows a fundamental disrespect for the law and a continued trend of poor leadership by the mayor and those running the show at the SCA and Department of Education.
The mayor holds complete control over the SCA, with the power to appoint all three trustees, including the chancellor. Laura Barbieri, a civil-rights lawyer specializing in education, pointed out the lack of independent oversight, stating, There is no independent oversight.
William Schaeffer, the SCAs inspector general and vice president, holds an unusual dual role. He is appointed jointly by the SCA and the city Department of Investigation, and reports to both but is on the SCA payroll. His role is to prevent waste or fraud and ensure the agency follows the law. Schaeffer told The New York Post, We need to appoint a third trustee, not because were violating the law, but because thats what the statute requires.
David Bloomfield, an education professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, expressed his concern over the SCA's neglect. He said, This longtime board vacancy reflects the mayors casual attitude toward governance and disrespect for due process in this key function.
In response to these allegations, City Hall denied that Mayor Adams has failed to appoint a third trustee. A spokeswoman stated, Our search is active and ongoing. Despite this assurance, the concerns raised by education watchdogs and experts highlight the need for adherence to the law and proper oversight in the management of public funds.
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