NYC School Employees' Kids Took Trips Meant for Homeless Students: Report

NYC School Employees Abused Funds Meant for Homeless Students

A shocking report reveals that six employees of New York City's public school system took their own children or grandchildren on trips to Disney World, New Orleans, and other locations using tickets intended for homeless students.

These trips, meant to provide enrichment for students living in shelters and temporary housing, also included excursions to Washington, D.C., Boston, and Broadway shows.

The investigation, led by the special commissioner of investigation for New York City schools, revealed that Linda Wilson, the Queens regional manager for the office that supports students in temporary housing, was at the heart of the scheme. Wilson took her own children on trips paid for by grants for homeless students and encouraged her staff to do the same, warning them to keep it quiet.

The investigation began in March 2019 after a whistleblower came forward. The report, completed in January 2023 but only made public this month, found that Wilson forged permission slips to bring family members on trips and evaded city Department of Education oversight by using an outside agency to book travel arrangements.

The special commissioner's office recommended that Wilson and the other staff members involved be fired and that they be required to reimburse the school system for their family members' trips.

Wilson told the New York Post that she retired and was not fired. However, the Department of Education spokesperson confirmed that “All staff identified in this report are no longer employed by New York City Public Schools."