The controversial College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS) network, currently under investigation by the state comptroller for mismanagement of taxpayer funds and ethical abuses, has applied to expand its empire to a seventh location in Jersey City. This proposal comes despite ongoing scrutiny and the recent implementation of new charter school legislation aimed at increasing transparency and accountability. The application to open the College Achieve Jersey City Charter School for the 2026-27 school year has sparked debate, as CAPS has a history of controversy and financial mismanagement. The proposed school would enroll 350 students between kindergarten and sixth grade, according to application documents. CAPS argues that the school would fill a gap in the market by providing an academically rigorous charter option for families in Jersey City. However, the network's application is under review by the state Department of Education, and a decision is expected next week. The controversy surrounding CAPS is not new. A 2024 investigation found that Michael Piscal, the network's founder and CEO, earned a substantial salary of $795,515 in the fiscal year ending in June 2023, making him the highest-paid charter school official in New Jersey. This, coupled with widespread allegations of financial and ethical abuses in CAPS schools, has led to calls for stronger safeguards and transparency in charter school governance. The state comptroller's office has also found that the network's operating agency failed to provide transparency on the use of $57 million in public funds and violated nepotism policies. This raises concerns about the network's ability to manage taxpayer funds effectively and ethically. The expansion of CAPS to Jersey City is particularly concerning given the network's history of controversy and the ongoing investigation. State Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, who chairs the Senate Education Committee and helped craft the new charter school law, expressed concerns about the network's actions, especially regarding the flag football team in Asbury Park. The team's roster was stacked with elite talent from across the state, leading to cancellations and protests. These issues highlight the need for continued scrutiny and oversight of charter schools to ensure they are serving students effectively and ethically. The state Department of Education's decision on CAPS' application will be crucial in determining the future of the network and its ability to expand. The ongoing investigation and the network's history of controversy suggest that the department will need to carefully consider the implications of its decision. Ultimately, the expansion of CAPS to Jersey City could have significant consequences for the state's charter school system and the students it serves. It is essential that the department acts in the best interest of students and taxpayers by ensuring that charter schools are held accountable for their actions and that the network's expansion does not exacerbate existing issues.
