Scott Stringer Wants Freeze On Non-Essential Dept. Of Education Contracts
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - As City Hall plans to eliminate as many as 6,000 New York City teachers, there is a demand for more accountability at the Department of Education.
WCBS 880's Marla Diamond: Scott Stringer Says Use Of Contracters Has Exploded Since 2004
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After several scandals, the Department of Education's use of outside consultants has been coming under increased scrutiny with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer demanding the agency put a freeze on all new non-essential contracts, pending a review.
"New Yorkers are fed up with these abuses and we cannot allow consulting contracts to become the new political patronage of our time," Stringer said Wednesday.
Stringer was backed up by United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew, who said, "Their job is to manage the finances and to help the schools. Well, they're not managing the finances and, therefore, the schools aren't getting the help they deserve."
Stringer's outline for reform comes a day after the department's former CFO was cited for using outside contractors to set himself up for a job in the private sector.
"Boss Tweed may have built the Tweed Courthouse as a monument to his corrupt ways, but that doesn't mean the Department of Education should continue the tradition," said Stringer.
He noted that the use of outside consultants has exploded since 2004 and the contracts are kept hidden from public view.
