Delivered to 15,000 Plainfield "doorsteps" Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Friday, June 27, 2014

Former superintendent Steve Gallon in the news again. Uh oh.


Former Plainfield schools superintendent Steve Gallon
is in the news again -- this time it's charter schools in Florida.

Former Plainfield schools superintendent Steve Gallon III is in the news again. This time it's an exposé by the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel on fiscal and other improprieties at three Florida charter schools for which Gallon's firm Tri-Star had management contracts (see the complete story here).

Among allegations made in the story are Gallon's executing contracts without the approval of the schools' boards, improper salary adjustments, and creating a conflict of interest by engaging in a sideline business venture with a board member.

Additionally, reviews showed that the three schools (located in three separate counties) had major academic issues under Gallon's operation -- including lack of reading, ESL and disabilities programs; lack of study guides and textbooks; and a neglect of math and science. Two of the three schools have since gone under.

It may come as no surprise to Plainfield readers to learn that Gallon's harem (including Lalelei Kelly and Angela Kemp, accused of defrauding the South Plainfield schools by fraudulently using Gallon's home address to enroll their children in that district while living in Perth Amboy) were given jobs by him with these Florida charter schools.

One previously unknown Plainfield connection has surfaced in relation to the Florida charter school story.


One Lenee Clarke, who is said to have been a 'compensation administrator' for the Plainfield school district, was brought on by Gallon's firm for 'support services' at $40,000 annually.

Interestingly enough, Clarke's residence is given as Lithonia, Georgia -- hardly in commuting distance of the Florida schools -- in a house registered in Gallon's name. A source in the Plainfield district says Clarke was employed by the district prior to Gallon's arrival, was promoted during his tenure and quit shortly after Gallon departed.

Same old movie, different background scenery.


  -- Dan Damon [follow]


View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe.

3 comments:

Dottie Gutenkauf said...

Is anyone supposed to be surprised? Same old Gallon, same old games.

Anonymous said...

But wait, Dan...There's more!
Let's not forget the fact that the "perfect storm" of mismanagement and corruption plagued PPS prior to Gallon's arrival, AND that his departure did NOT rid it of the same sort of impropriety. So much more to tell, unfortunately.
There is an air of intimidation in the district, as well as duplicity, scandal and complicit acts that hinder true progress.
Some will try to fight me tooth and nail on this, but it will all come out in the wash, as they say. On to the cleansing and the healing.

Anonymous said...

What a bumb,! Where is Barksdale, Cathcart, Rivers, Gilbert, Cox and Hoc. Somewhere hiding with egg on their faces yet again. How embarrassing. Oh that's right Rivers is now President of city council. What an incompetent joke.