Resident wants NJ to demand return of funds

On July 1, 2008, I sent New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Lucille Davy a letter regarding information that the top three administrators of the Freehold Regional High School District have received bogus doctorate degrees from an unaccredited diploma mill. These bogus degrees enabled the administrators (to receive) several years of pay raises, tuition reimbursement and pension enhancements.

She replied in a letter dated July 30, 2008, “… We take such possible abuses quite seriously in the Department of Education. Your complaints have been referred to the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance for further investigation.”

As you may know, in a report dated Aug. 12, 2008, the Department of Education (OFAC Case No. 1592) came out with a scathing report slamming district policies enabling these administrators to attend unaccredited phony schools of higher learning.

My guess is the members of the Board of Education assumed this never would have occurred, since there are laws in place that prevent the use of fraudulent degrees in connection with any profession (N.J.S.A. 18A:3-15.2 – “Use of a Fraudulent Degree”).

This scathing report slammed the policies of the Freehold Regional district. The report was then forwarded to the Commission on Higher Education.

On Aug. 21, 2008, Commission Director Jane Oates, after a complete and thorough investigation into the credentials of Breyer State University, wrote to FRHSD Superintendent of Schools James Wasser, ” … Please advise me … that you have ceased appending the Ed.D. or Dr. designation to your name, which is legally impermissible in New Jersey, because Breyer State University does not meet the statutory definition of a duly authorized institution.”

On Sept. 8, 2008, Superintendent Wasser at a board meeting indicated that he and Assistant Superintendent Donna Evangelista would comply with Director Oates’ order. Wasser and Evangelista indicated that they would relinquish their $2,500 annual pay raise based on degrees that were deemed null and void. This “relinquishment” was effective on the day of the board meeting.

Tuition was “pre-paid” in 2004 — as opposed to “reimbursed” after successful completion of courses — (one of several policies faulted by the Department of Education). Five district employees have been identifiedwith receiving bogus degrees. Are there more? I would assume definitely yes.

Mr. Wasser et al. have refused to retroactively reimburse the district all monies (tuition reimbursement and salary advancements) gained in connection with receiving this degree.

I am requesting that (Commissioner Davy’s) office demand those monies from all identified employees be returned to where they belong — the coffers of the Freehold Regional High School District. If Mr. Wasser feels wronged in being compelled to reimburse the district, then let him have his day in court.
Jim Sage
Marlboro