CHIPPENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 23: A primary school pupil at the Bridge Learning Campus completes his school work in a classroom at the school on February 24, 2010 in Bristol, England. The 40million GBP campus in Hartcliffe, Bristol, was constructed as part of the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme and opened in January 2009. It now offers over 800 pupils a life long provision of learning from nursery, reception and primary to secondary and post-16 education. As the UK gears up for one of the most hotly contested general elections in recent history it is expected that that the economy, immigration, the NHS and education are likely to form the basis of many of the debates. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (2010 Getty Images)
An elementary school principal in Brooklyn, New York, is under fire for allegedly taking school funds and using the money to set up, on school grounds, a fully-equipped gym for her personal use.
The New York Post reported Monday that staffers at PS 269, in Flatbush, came up with the allegation last week but refuse to give their names for fear of reprisal.
The accused principal, Jazmine Santiago, has been principal for four years now.
When some staffers questioned the expenditure, Santiago claimed she shares the equipment with older students, according to one source.
Staffers told the Post that when she was confronted about the expenses, she claimed that she shared the equipment with some of the older students. The older students, however, would be fifth graders and not tall enough to handle the equipment.
According to teachers interviewed by the paper, Santiago quietly converted a storage room located on the third floor into a gym in June of last year — without consulting with anybody. They said the unauthorized facility consists of a bench press, pull-up bar, treadmill, elliptical machine and a thigh exerciser.
“She comes in early, she goes to the gym. Even when class is in session, she’s still in the gym,” one of the teachers said.
To make matters worse, the Post says, the school has little to boast of in terms of performance: last year, only 16 percent of students passed state English tests and 12 percent passed math exams.
“Funds should go to helping school issues, like going toward bullying campaigns or extracurricular activities. I don’t understand how this helps,” a parent said as quoted by the Post.
“This is not right at all.”
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