NYC Education Officials Took Their Kids on Trips Meant for Homeless Students: A Disney World Scandal

NYC Education Officials Took Their Kids on Trips Meant for Homeless Students: A Disney World Scandal

Six Department of Education employees in New York City are accused of using forged permission slips to take their own children and grandchildren on city-funded trips meant for homeless students, according to a newly released report by the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) for city schools.

These trips included a $66,000 excursion to Disney World for 50 adults and children, along with multiple-day trips to Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Boston, and other destinations in the US. The report alleges that these trips were funded by a $300,000 federal grant from the National Center for Homeless Education, which is intended to provide enrichment and incentives for homeless students to improve their attendance and academics.

The report states that Linda M. Wilson, a Queens supervisor of DOE’s “Students in Temporary Housing,” took her two daughters on trips and encouraged colleagues to do the same, even trying to cover up the practice when the SCI started asking questions.

Several DOE staffers, including Shaquieta Boyd, who is seen above, confirmed that Wilson “not only gave [them] permission, she encouraged it”. They claim that they were told to lie to investigators, and that Wilson allegedly told co-workers, “What happens here stays with us.”

The report also reveals that on a three-day trip to Syracuse University in June 2018, the DOE group only ate lunch on campus before heading to Niagara Falls, more than three hours away. Wilson planned similar trips to colleges, including Howard University in 2019, but the SCI alleges that she didn't contact the colleges to arrange the visits.

After completing its investigation in January 2023, the SCI recommended that Chancellor David Banks terminate all six employees and require them to pay restitution. While the SCI decided not to refer the cases for criminal prosecution due to a lack of documentation, the investigation has raised serious concerns about accountability and the misuse of funds meant for vulnerable students.

This scandal highlights the importance of oversight and transparency in how public funds are used. It also underscores the need to prioritize the needs of homeless students and ensure that they have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.

The DOE has stated that all staff identified in the report are no longer employed by New York City Public Schools, but it remains unclear if they have been required to pay restitution.