Newark Public Schools Comes Through State Audit with Flying Colors

NEWARK, N.J. - The state audit report concludes that the district’s financial transactions were properly recorded in the accounting systems, were related to the district’s programs, and were reasonable.

Superintendent León said, “This audit was an exercise in due diligence and transparency.” He added, “As a reflective organization, the Newark Public Schools takes seriously every recommendation that can advance our progress and incorporates that feedback into meaningful, continuous improvement.”

“No stone went unturned,” said Valerie Wilson, who served as the district’s School Business Administrator for 30 years. “The state auditors went far beyond financial records. We opened all our books, systems, and databases, and we answered all their questions. Newark Public Schools is the largest district in the state and, in accordance with the constitutional mandate to ensure a thorough and efficient education, we spend wisely and strategically, and this audit proves that.”

“Having been under state control for decades, we recognize the value of state oversight. We are proud of our results under local control and we will work tirelessly to continue to deliver excellence for our students,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “I agree with the recent calls by other districts for a review of the State’s school funding formula, in light of declining enrollments in many other districts and the increasing costs affecting all districts throughout the state.” 

The Newark Public Schools’ enrollment continues to increase, and serves more than 44,000 students, more than ten times the number of students in 85% of New Jersey’s school districts. It includes 66 schools, more than ten times the number of schools in two thirds of New Jersey’s districts. With that size comes scrutiny, but never excuses or blame from us. This is why the district already undergoes an annual independent audit and continues to receive an unmodified opinion, the highest possible rating. In fact, Newark Public Schools has received this high rating every year under local control, including the period reviewed by the state auditors. 

The Newark Public Schools is judged by the same standards as all other New Jersey school districts, and by all measures it stacks up. Newark Public Schools has been designated a high-performing school district by the New Jersey Department of Education, with a perfect score on the Quality Single Accountability System (QSAC) in fiscal management. The district’s bond rating was raised to an A- by the S&P Global Ratings agency, which reflects the strength of the district’s financial standing. And most recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Newark’s high schools amongst the top in New Jersey with significant increases in national rankings. This state audit further confirms that Newark Public Schools is a district with high graduation rates, low chronic absenteeism, and its financial house is in order.

The recently published Education Scorecard issued by the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University reports that Newark Public Schools ranks higher than 93% of all school districts nationwide in average learning rates achieved during the 2022-2025 school years.

“All of this was made possible by stakeholders who assisted in designing the historic 10-year strategic plan that presents an honest assessment of where we’ve been, where we are now, a bold vision for where we must go, and a clear explanation why these priorities are critical to the future of the children and families we serve in Newark,” said Superintendent León.

The district commends and applauds every member of the school community who continues to contribute to the implementation of the district’s strategic plan.