Panel: No irregularities in LEAP Academy's food-service contract

A subcommittee of the LEAP Academy University Charter School charged with looking into the Camden school's food-service contract has found no irregularities in the choice of a new vendor for the 2012-13 year, according to a board statement.

While the LEAP board - through its attorney, Nicholas Repici - declined to release documents from the May 14 subcommittee meeting that discussed the solicitation of bids and ultimate award of a food-service contract for the 2012-13 school year, the board issued a statement saying in part:

"Following an investigation, the board found no evidence that any school official or board member violated or compromised any laws, regulations, or code of ethics."

The decision came nearly three months after The Inquirer raised questions on LEAP's food-service contract bid specifying a $95,000 salary for school chef Michele Pastorello. Ultimately, Metz Culinary Management of Luzerne County accepted the conditions and signed the contract, in effect giving Pastorello a $24,000 raise.

The position typically pays about $40,000.

In addition, LEAP had to pay a $151,428 penalty to its previous vendor, documents showed.

Pastorello lives with LEAP founder and board chairwoman Gloria Bonilla-Santiago. She has recused herself from all food-service-related votes, including the recent investigation, said LEAP spokesman Adam Dvorin.

The special subcommittee included board members Wendell Pritchett, Rutgers-Camden chancellor; Luis Garcia, Rutgers-Camden psychology professor emeritus; Jennifer Perkins Young, vice president for public affairs for Verizon New Jersey; and Adam Lorber, general manager of the Camden Riversharks.

As a charter school, LEAP receives most of its funding from the state and federal governments.

For the 2011-12 school year, LEAP had to cover a $272,241 loss in its food-service fund using state money it receives for general operations. That was before the $246,428 it spent to keep Pastorello.

LEAP's 2012-13 budget of $17 million is funded through local school taxes and state and federal aid.

There are no rules against putting general fund money toward breach-of-contract penalties, a state Department of Education spokeswoman has said.

In its statement, the board said it was committed to managing funds "in an efficient and transparent manner" and would be consulting "with experts in the field to review all organization procurement procedures, and recommend changes to such procedures."

LEAP has since renewed its contract with Metz for the 2013-14 school year. There were no changes in salaries with the renewal, Dvorin said.

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