Bureaucrats are winning the Race to the Top.
Less than a quarter of the $107 million that the school system received in federal Race to The Top funds last year was sent directly to school principals.
The decision on how to spend most of the money — $83 million — was made by the central Department of Education, which channeled the federal funds to support staff, consultants and fringe benefits, according to a study by the Independent Budget Office.
“I am flabbergasted that much of this federal money stayed within central offices and didn’t get to the kids,” said Community Education Council District 2 president Shino Tanikawa. “What’s the point of getting this money if it’s going to central?”
The DOE insisted that almost all the federal funds ultimately ended up in the schools in 2012-13 and defended the use of funds.
“Running the largest education system in the country requires support, management and other essential operations,” said DOE spokesman Liem Marcus.