Six employees from the New York City Department of Education (DOE) allegedly misused funds meant for homeless children to take their own families on trips, according to a report released by the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) for New York City schools. The trips, which were meant to provide educational and recreational experiences for disadvantaged students, were instead used by the employees for personal vacations between 2016 and 2019.

The investigation revealed that these employees utilized city-funded excursions to popular destinations like Disney World, Washington, D.C. and New Orleans for their families. Among those implicated is Linda Wilson, the DOE region manager who oversaw students in temporary housing in Queens. Wilson reportedly took her daughters on several trips funded by the DOE and encouraged her colleagues to do the same. The report alleges that Wilson forged permission slips for students and planned trips under false pretenses.

Wilson’s misconduct included an incident in June 2018 when she was supposed to visit Syracuse University with students but instead detoured to Niagara Falls. The university later confirmed that no tour took place. The report suggests that Wilson learned of the investigation and canceled a planned trip to Philadelphia, instructing her colleagues to conceal the misuse of funds.

Other employees involved include Program Manager Shaquieta Boyd, Family Assistants Joanne Castro, Mishawn Jack, Virgen Ramos and Community Coordinator Maria Sylvester. The SCI concluded its investigation in January 2023 and recommended their dismissal and restitution of the funds to the DOE. However, the cases were not referred for criminal prosecution due to insufficient documentation.

The misuse of education funds not only highlights a severe breach of trust but also underscores a broader issue of corruption within public institutions, affecting those who need support the most.