Current:Home > MarketsDisney trips meant for homeless students went to NYC school employees’ kids, officials say -PrimeFinance
Disney trips meant for homeless students went to NYC school employees’ kids, officials say
View
Date:2025-04-18 02:13:17
NEW YORK (AP) — Six employees of New York City’s public school system took their children or grandchildren on trips to Disney World, New Orleans and other locations using tickets that were meant for homeless students, investigators said in a newly released report.
The trips intended as enrichment for students living in shelters and other temporary housing also included excursions to Washington, D.C., Boston and Broadway shows, said Anastasia Coleman, the special commissioner of investigation for New York City schools.
According to the report released this month, Linda Wilson, the Queens regional manager for the office that supports students in temporary housing, took her own children on trips that were paid for through grants for homeless students and encouraged employees she supervised to do the same but to keep quiet about it.
“What happens here stays with us,” one staffer quoted Wilson as saying.
Contacted by the New York Post, Wilson denied bringing her two daughters on trips or encouraging staff members to bring their children. Wilson called the special commissioner’s probe “a witch hunt.”
The investigation began after a whistleblower brought a complaint in March 2019. The special commissioner’s report, which concerned trips that took place between 2016 and 2019, was completed in January 2023 but only made public on Sept. 9.
The special commissioner’s office did not explain the lag in releasing the report and did not respond to requests for clarification.
According to the report, Wilson forged permission slips to bring family members on trips and evaded city Department of Education oversight by using an outside agency to book travel arrangements.
Some of the trips were intended as college tours, but the students and chaperones never actually visited the campuses, witnesses told the investigators.
A group including Wilson and one of her daughters as well as other staff members and their children ate lunch at Syracuse University during a June 2018 trip but never toured the school, witnesses said. They left and went to Niagara Falls instead, according to the investigation.
The special commissioner’s office recommended that Wilson and the other staff members faulted in the report be fired and that they be required to reimburse the school system for their family members’ trips.
Wilson told the Post that she retired and was not fired.
Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, told the Post, “All staff identified in this report are no longer employed by New York City Public Schools.”
veryGood! (54931)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- What will win at the Oscars? AP’s film writers set their predictions
- Rock legend Rod Stewart on recording some oldies-but-goodies
- Social media influencer says Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill broke her leg during football drill at his home
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Idaho delays execution of serial killer Thomas Creech after failed lethal injection attempts
- A California county ditched its vote counting machines. Now a supporter faces a recall election
- 2024 NFL scouting combine Thursday: How to watch defensive linemen, linebackers
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Caitlin Clark breaks Lynette Woodard's women's scoring record, still chasing Pete Maravich
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- The Heartwarming Reason Adam Sandler Gets Jumpy Around Taylor Swift
- 'Shrinkflation' fight: Dems launch bill saying shoppers pay more for less at stores
- The Daily Money: 'Surge' pricing at the drive-thru?
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Dwayne Johnson wants to know which actor 'screamed' at 'Hercules' co-star Rebecca Ferguson
- Woman files lawsuit against Tyreek Hill for 'violently' charging at her, per report
- Andy Reid tops NFL coach rankings in players' survey, Josh McDaniels finishes last
Recommendation
Trump's 'stop
Mitch McConnell stepping down as Senate GOP leader, ending historic 17-year run
Caitlin Clark breaks Lynette Woodard's women's scoring record, still chasing Pete Maravich
How to watch the 2024 Oscars: A full rundown on nominations, host and how to tune in
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
Stephen Baldwin Asks for Prayers for Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber
Judge orders Trump off Illinois primary ballot but puts ruling on hold
Susan Lucci Reveals the 3 Foods She Eats Every Day After Having Multiple Heart Operations