NYC Schools Scandal: Improper $180,000 No-Bid Contract Involving Former Chancellor Kamar Samuels
The former NYC Schools Chancellor, Kamar Samuels, was involved in an improper $180,000 no-bid contract with an unapproved Department of Education vendor during his time as superintendent of an Upper West Side school district. The Special Commissioner of Investigation for city schools found that Samuels, along with his former deputy Mariela Graham and vendor Sean Kreyling, conspired to evade DOE procurement rules. The report did not mention Samuels, but emails and a signed contract obtained by The Post revealed his involvement in splitting payments to Kreyling's companies to avoid city oversight.
The contracts signed by Samuels and Graham with Kreyling's companies were below $25,000 to bypass the requirement for three contractor bids and city comptroller scrutiny. The investigation was triggered by a complaint about a temporary teacher placed at two Upper West Side schools by Kreyling, who had a history of sexual misconduct with a student. The report blamed Graham for approving the contracts and recommended her termination, but she received only a two-week suspension without pay.
Despite the findings, Samuels rewarded Graham with a high-paying position at Tweed, raising concerns about accountability within the DOE. Kreyling defended his actions, claiming ignorance of procurement rules and alleging that Samuels and Graham guided him through the process. The report recommended barring Kreyling's firms from future DOE business due to the improper no-bid deals and check-splitting scheme.
The investigation revealed that the contracts with Kreyling's Language Learning Network were structured to stay below the $25,000 threshold, with payments split between Kreyco and Reimagine Education Group. Samuels was involved in negotiating the contracts and overseeing the check-splitting process, as evidenced by emails provided to The Post. The report highlighted systemic issues with vendor check-splitting and procurement problems in city schools, prompting calls for a thorough audit of DOE contracting practices to ensure transparency and accountability.
In conclusion, the scandal involving the improper contract signed by Samuels, Graham, and Kreyling raises serious concerns about procurement practices in NYC schools. The lack of accountability and oversight highlighted in the investigation underscores the need for reforms to prevent financial losses and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately. The fallout from this incident underscores the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in educational leadership.