Doesn’t add up
Foes slam $669G deal ex-schools big got for math program
THE LUCRATIVE deal the city is giving to a former school official stinks, critics say.
New Classrooms, started by former city Education Department official Joel Rose, is set to win a five-year contract worth $669,375 for a learning program Rose created while working for the city.
Critics charge the deal is sloppy procurement that violates ethics rules prohibiting workers from cashing in on their public service.
“It’s not appropriate,” said GOP mayoral hopeful Nicole Malliotakis. “This individual, who developed a program as an employee of the Department of Education, is getting a very lucrative contract after he leaves.”
Rose (photo), 46, invented the math instruction program called the School of One while he was working for the school system from 2006-2011.
The city spent $9 million in grant money to help Rose create the program, which uses digital technology to create an individualized learning plan for each kid who uses it.
Time magazine called Rose’s creation one of the 50 best inventions of 2009, but only five city schools currently use it, down from six schools in 2014 and 11 schools in 2012, when Rose first sold it back to the city.
Mayor de Blasio’s Panel for Educational Policy is set to approve Rose’s new deal on Aug. 23, even though disclosure forms note that Rose’s program costs more than similar offerings from other companies.
Tax forms show Rose paid himself a salary of $269,000 to run New Classrooms in 2015 — which is higher than the salary of city schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.
“The city is paying hundreds of thousands for these programs, even though anyone with a brain can see they don’t work,” said Leonie Haimson, founder of the advocacy group Class Size Matters. “It’s inexplicable.” Rose didn’t respond for comment. A spokesman for New Classrooms said that “as a nonprofit committed to personalizing learning, we look forward to having the opportunity to work with more schools in New York City.” “Our model fundamentally changes the way students learn math — one of the subjects most critical to career and college readiness. to requests By enabling teachers to meeting students where they are, thousands of students from across the country are having greater success in math,” the spokesman also said in a statement.
Education spokesman Will Mantell said the city may end up paying New Classrooms more or less than the contract amount that’s set for approval, depending on how many schools use it.
“We give schools a choice of services and materials they might want to meet the needs of their students,” Mantell said.
“Schools may choose to use this service, pending approval by the panel, or other similar services from different vendors,” he added.