NEWARK, N.J. – For the third time since the school district’s return from state operation to local control, the Newark Public Schools has earned a perfect score – 100% – in fiscal management, declared by the New Jersey Department of Education. The 100% score is reserved for school districts that satisfy all 26 indicators of capacity and effectiveness in the fiscal management component of the Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) review.
Newark received that score in 2020, upon its return to local control after 25 years of state operation, and again after another QSAC review three years later. Now the district has done it again, this school year.
“The 100% score confirms what we already knew – that the Newark Public Schools are, by the highest of standards, run efficiently and effectively,” said Superintendent León.
“Others already knew it too,” he continued, and listed the district’s recent accolades in the area of fiscal management: “Independent auditors have issued unmodified opinions for Newark. The district has received the ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Budget and Finance for five consecutive years. The district’s S&P Global rating increased from BBB+ to A-.”
Board of Education President Hasani K. Council echoed the Superintendent’s sentiment. “This 100% score in fiscal management is a testament to our commitment to excellence at all levels of the organization.” That commitment is one of the core values of the district’s 10-year strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020-30.
We want to commend the entire finance and budget team and everyone at the schools and central office. The entire fiscal team from purchasing to accounts payable, the comptroller’s office, and every single staff member in the entire organization.