“N.J. says Winslow educator hid trail on various jobs.” Philadelphia Inquirer (PA), 9/9/2011
A top Winslow School District official who moonlights at three South Jersey charter schools misled state investigators assigned to look into her nearly $300,000 annual income, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.
Ann F. Garcia came under investigation early this year after state officials noted that she had worked the equivalent of almost three full-time jobs simultaneously since 2009, an "unusually high" number, authorities said in a report by the department's Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance filed last month.
The case is under review by the state Attorney General's Office Criminal Justice Division, a spokesman said. The State Board of Examiners, which reviews public education credentials, is set to conduct a hearing Tuesday...
In addition to working as business administrator in the Winslow district, a full-time position, Garcia was executive director of the Vineland school and business administrator of the ECO Charter School in Camden and the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts in Somers Point during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.
Garcia continues to hold those positions. According to published reports, she and her husband, Esteban, cofounded the Vineland charter school. Esteban Garcia serves on the school's board...
Ann Garcia's combined income last year exceeded the base salary of the highest-paid public school official in New Jersey, the Newark School District superintendent, who was paid $280,000 during the last school year, according to state records...
"There is nothing in the statute or code that speaks to allowing or disallowing multiple employment positions," an Education Department spokeswoman said in an e-mail.
But holding multiple jobs with overlapping responsibilities "could involve criminality," the spokeswoman said.
24 comments:
I wanna know y dr garcia is at the millville charter school running things an making decisions
The VPCS "Office Administrator" who was willing to attest that she inadvertantly pulled the original employment contracts provided to the state investigative team from the "voided contracts" file, got a raise from $31k to $39k immediately after. Appears that "taking one for the team" pays handsomely. Dr Garcia's husband is the "Dean of Students" at the Millville Public Charter School. He was paid $40k last year, but will get $60k this year. Her daughter is an uncertified kindergarten teacher at the same school in Millville. It's all about $$$ for the Garcias. They break the law all the time. For example, they reject student applications as they wish and for their own reasons, when the law requires that if applicants exceed available space, there must be a random, or lottery, selection process. They typically reject students based on thinking that they will be difficult to educate for one reason or another, such as health problems, etc.
Just curious as to where everyone is getting this so called information? Thank you
I have a child attending that School, Garcia's daughter is abrasive and harsh, and he is quite an erie character himself
I have a child in the MPCS system, so many of those children are afraid of Mr Garcia. He is very abrasive and yells. He has absolutely no business being around any children whatsoever. I am currently looking into who in the state legislature I can call about him. Many children avoid him in the halls and I have heard several of them say they are afraid of him. My spouse recently called him over a concern and he overpowered my spouse and would not let them get but three words in edgewise. I do feel as if Mr Garcia is in this profession for the money and NOT the children. He was given the pink slip from the Millville Board of Education, he was the head of the janitorial department. I am not letting this go until I get someone in the state to look into his harsh and abrasive behavior toward the children and parents, and I have other parents who are on board with this as well!!
I currently have my Kindergartener in this school and this is our first year with the school. So far the only person in the school i've had an issue with is Mrs. Cribbs, the current principal of the school. I feel she makes the school seem beyond unorganized! Since the first day we met her in the Parents Night (the meeting for first time parents with a child attending school) she had so many 'rules' to the uniform code on what they can vs. can't wear - but when asked where the parents could purchase the uniforms, she had no idea besides one uniform website. Some teachers suggested stores such as Old Navy, Target, and Walmart in which Mrs. Cribbs stated ''I don't shop at any of those stores, so I wouldn't know.'' I feel like she is just rude and inconsiderate of the parents of the children who attend her school. I don't know her financial situation but to make sly comments like she is better then someone else is beyond what I would consider professional for a person who is running an elementry school. Recently she has sent letters regaurding the uniform code and resending paperwork home that I had already completed in the begining of the year stating who may pick up my child. If they don't have this figured out yet why is she allowing just 'anyone' pick children up. My child has been there since the year started in August 2012 and she has learned so much already. She has an amazing teacher who is great with communication between herself and the parents of the classroom. This is a new school, so they do have a handful of new teachers; unfortunately she does not have Mrs. Garcia's daughter as a teacher, so I am unable to comment on her teaching abilities. The most we come in contact with her is when we pick our daughter up from school, and she remembers us by name and seems pretty nice to our daughter. As far as the application process goes - I don't think there is a 'special' process. There are MANY varieties of children in that school, rich/middle class/poor, behavioral issues/no issues, and many races. I've seen my fair share of the span of children that attend that school. I don't see how they could be considered picking a choosing only certain children, I don't think that is the case at this school. As far as Mr and Mrs. Garcia; I happen to like them. They know many of the children by name, my daugther has never been to the office or principals office for anything negative but they still respectfully know my daughter. If people feel this negative about these people then why did you enroll your child in this school in the first place. Parents -- DO YOUR RESEARCH. If you enrolled your child while knowing the past about these people and disagreed with it, why did you partake in an education for your child at this school. There are TONS of good schools in this area and you could've found another school to send your child to instead of sitting here and downgrading these people. Everyone has a past; not everyone lets it dictate their future!
I currently have my Kindergartener in this school and this is our first year with the school. So far the only person in the school i've had an issue with is Mrs. Cribbs, the current principal of the school. I feel she makes the school seem beyond unorganized! Since the first day we met her in the Parents Night (the meeting for first time parents with a child attending school) she had so many 'rules' to the uniform code on what they can vs. can't wear - but when asked where the parents could purchase the uniforms, she had no idea besides one uniform website. Some teachers suggested stores such as Old Navy, Target, and Walmart in which Mrs. Cribbs stated ''I don't shop at any of those stores, so I wouldn't know.'' I feel like she is just rude and inconsiderate of the parents of the children who attend her school. I don't know her financial situation but to make sly comments like she is better then someone else is beyond what I would consider professional for a person who is running an elementry school. Recently she has sent letters regaurding the uniform code and resending paperwork home that I had already completed in the begining of the year stating who may pick up my child. If they don't have this figured out yet why is she allowing just 'anyone' pick children up. My child has been there since the year started in August 2012 and she has learned so much already. She has an amazing teacher who is great with communication between herself and the parents of the classroom. This is a new school, so they do have a handful of new teachers; unfortunately she does not have Mrs. Garcia's daughter as a teacher, so I am unable to comment on her teaching abilities. The most we come in contact with her is when we pick our daughter up from school, and she remembers us by name and seems pretty nice to our daughter. As far as the application process goes - I don't think there is a 'special' process. There are MANY varieties of children in that school, rich/middle class/poor, behavioral issues/no issues, and many races. I've seen my fair share of the span of children that attend that school. I don't see how they could be considered picking a choosing only certain children, I don't think that is the case at this school. As far as Mr and Mrs. Garcia; I happen to like them. They know many of the children by name, my daugther has never been to the office or principals office for anything negative but they still respectfully know my daughter. If people feel this negative about these people then why did you enroll your child in this school in the first place. Parents -- DO YOUR RESEARCH. If you enrolled your child while knowing the past about these people and disagreed with it, why did you partake in an education for your child at this school. There are TONS of good schools in this area and you could've found another school to send your child to instead of sitting here and downgrading these people. Everyone has a past; not everyone lets it dictate their future!
My son is in his second year at MPCS & both he and I love it!!! He started last year in kindergarten & had a fabulous teacher. His 1st grade teacher this year is equally as awesome! I have not had one bad/negative experience at this school ever. All of the teachers & staff have been extremely polite, respectful, & helpful regarding every aspect of my son's educational experience there. Dr. Garcia is NOT mean to the children or parents. He's the disciplinarian & he's doing his job very well. I went to private school my entire life (K through 12th grade) & trust me, Dr. Garcia is a teddy bear compared to the priests & nuns that handled discipline in my schools. He may come across "old school" to those of you who don't know how to discipline you're own children, or who aren't disciplined & respectful yourselves...I assure you that you have no idea what harsh is & you should perhaps take a look at your own behavior & what you are teaching your children. I'm a single parent, & an only parent, who has never had help raising my son. I do not play when it comes to teaching him how to act properly. It is my job as his mother to give him all of the tools necessary to successfully survive in this world...which by the way, is a harsh world. If he gets in trouble at shcool (which has happened once in 4 years) then he gets in trouble at home. I'm sorry but how lazy are you if you can't figure out where to buy your child's school uniform?! Come on, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out where to buy all black/white sneakers, navy blue pants or skirt, & a blue/white polo shirt!!! If that's you're biggest complaint then consider yourself blessed, & stop complaining about easily fixable problems! I also 100% agree with the person who posted on here last...everyone does have a past, but not everyone lets it dictate their future! Very well said & valid point...thank you for pointing that out to the high & mighty judgemental people on here that have nothing better than to complain. May I add that every time you point a finger at someone you always have 3 pointing back at yourself!
"Tito" Garcia is a scumbag, posing as an educator. (dr) Ann Garcia is only after money. She hates the kids. She said so herself, (of course not in public.) I know the inside scoop on these people, and I'm telling you they are no good.
I have a relative who works for this school and the Mary's Little Lambs day care center.. Can anybody tell me who actually owns these ? I've heard some strange stories about what the employees have to endure from the administrators of the Day care. Confusing schedules, arguments between the two places about schedules and threats of firings and lawsuits along with strange accounting practices. From what I've heard about the way they keep records and pay, I wouldn't even work there let alone would I send my child into that environment. something just isn't right about that place.
Anonymous above:
The tax returns for this school will list some of the people who are involved with its management.
Go to http://nccsdataweb.urban.org/PubApps/search.php
Enter EIN 943447590 into the search box and click Submit. On the page that comes up click the tab that says "Form 990 Filings."
At this time three tax returns are posted.
My Child goes to MPCS started last year in Kindergarten. We Love the school!!!! My child is doing great. I do believe there are some issues with the staff, but it doesn't seem to fall on the students. We have a mix of students from the area, and all of the students treat each other with respect. The kids are expected to conduct themselves a certain way and they do it! If you don't like the school or its staff by all means please take your child someone where else. Great school! Great teachers!
While I will agree that the administration does leave a little to be desired, much of the information being posted here is untrue. My child is in his second year at MPCS and I am overall pleased with the experience there.
Mr. Garcia DOES NOT require the children to call him Dr. Garcia, as that is his wife. He also does not hold the title of principal, as one poster suggested. The teacher that is being referred to as his daughter is, in fact, not his. It is his wife's daughter and she is a certified teacher and she happens to be an excellent teacher. My child is not a behavior problem, so I haven't personally had to deal with Tito Garcia as a disciplinarian, but I have overheard things and have to say that I do not always agree with the way things are handled. I can't help but feel though, that if these children were taught proper manners and the proper way to behave at home, less people would have an issue with this. I know that kids will be kids, but some of the behaviors that are exhibited are unacceptable in a school environment. He may seem harsh, but some kids aren't getting discipline at home and they need it. Again, I haven't had to deal with this, because my child is expected to behave appropriately, and he does.
That being said, what affects my child directly, is his experience in his classroom and with his teacher. He has had two absolutely fabulous teachers at MPCS who were knowledgable in their field, caring to their students, and have gone above and beyond to meet his needs. I can't say enough good things about them.
I can't say whether or not the lottery is a "true" lottery, but there are a wide variety of children in the school--races, income levels and academic levels.
I will agree with what one other person said...if you truly feel that these people are disgusting and inappropriate and shouldn't be around children, then WHY would you even send your kids to their school?! Until their so-called "unsavory practices" affect my child's well-being or educational experience, he will remain at MPCS because their teachers are just wonderful.
You don't give a shit if staff go through hell, as long as it appears your kid is OK. I guess I can understand that, but how long until it all spills over? And how long after that until you finally realize it? The sad part is... as a parent sending a child, you are being used. The administration is lining their pockets while they terrorize their staff (as much as they can get away with.) Imagine how good the staff could be if they were actually treated right? I wonder how many are leaving this year?
Wow! I'm just wondering how much money the agency hired by the teachers' Union is getting to post these negative comments about the Vineland Charter.
I'm reading this thing, and over and over again real parents are posting how happy they are to have their child at Vineland Charter. However, a few couch warriors have nothing better to do with their time than antagonize Dr. Garcia. And how is the staff treated improperly? I am friends with several teachers, and they love the freedom they have to teach progressively.
I have met Dr. Garcia 3 times. All three of those times she was tutoring children after hours. If she is a salaried employee, than you critics are truly morons.
My kids go to the Millville Public Charter School, and Dr. Garcia is a saint. She is the one who had the vision and guts to install Charter Schools in an area nobody wanted them. I agree with the comment above about the Unions having it in for Dr. Garcia. It's very simple - if you do your job well, you can stay. If all of your kids are flunking, you are a poor teacher and should be able to be fired despite some ridiculous tenure.
Shame on this article for joining sides with the corrupt bureaucrats and their media slaves.
So true!
Should have went to Little Lamb
Take it from someone who actually had a teaching interview there. I had to teach a lesson to a 3rd grade class at MPCS. Ive had 4 years teaching experience prior to that. After the principal was 20 minutes late to see my sample lesson she had the nerve to tell me that she would not hire me because I didnt make good use of the classroom space. If any parent walked into those classrooms you would be furious. Yeah they might have smaller teacher to student ratios; however, the actual size of the classroom is the size of my apartment living room. So imagine me teaching in the front of a classroom where the front student desks were a mere 1 inch distance from my body. This means that the students had to stare at my rear while I was writing on the board. A mere shoebox size classroom.
And to comment even more on my last statement-I now work at a school servicing over 100 special needs students and they are all exceeding expectations on the state exams. Ask MPCS how many special needs students actually contribute to their wonderful test score percentages. Now you know why public schools rank below such charter schools. Compare english language learners and special needs percentages and then tell me whos the better school.
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