Teacher Health Benefits Take Stimulus Dollars Away From Special Education in New Jersey

Asbury Park Press reports:

Kim Vaccaro of Brick wasn't aware that last year's
federal stimulus package included a $2.4 million
grant to help her district enhance its special
education program.

So it was news to her that Brick spent just half of the
money on new initiatives for special education kids.
The rest went to pay the health benefits of some 250
special education teachers and staff.

"That's pretty outrageous," said Vaccaro, 45, who is
president of the Brick Township Special Education
Parent Teacher Association.

"That is totally unfair to our kids," said Vaccaro,
whose 12-year-old son Joel has autism. "Once
again, they get shortchanged."

An Asbury Park Press investigation found that
school districts in Monmouth and Ocean counties
used the special aid to pay legal bills, expand non-
special education programs and pay benefits for
non-special education teachers.

Don't they care about the children? Great moments in stimulus spending.