New Database Tracks Cash Given to Newark Schools

Newark Trust for Education has just launched a new online database that tracks philanthropic dollars going to Newark's district public and charter schools down to the very penny.

NET Navigator has begun tracking money used for programs and initiatives in the schools from 2006 to now, with $66.3 million total and 792 grants already acounted for. Data from 2012 is still being collected, officials said.

"Has anyone actually been on the ground to track where the dollars are going or where they're supposed to go is what I think is unprecedented," said Tynesha McHarris, the Trust's director of programs and community engagement.

Until now, external money had never been monitored, said officials with Newark Trust, an independent local education fund created in 2011. For that reason, the total amount that has come into the district over the last five years is unknown, but the Trust is certain it's already collected a good chunk of the data.

"We don't think we have everything but we have more than anybody," said Trust Executive Director Ross Danis. "This is more information than anyone's ever known about what's actually happening in the schools."

Developed over a course of 18 months and launched in the beginning of October, the system breaks down cash given to the district by ward, school, program and fund source. It is available to the public at netnav.newarktrust.org.

As of Oct. 22, NET Navigator shows the majority of dollars over the last five years has gone to district's public schools ($40.8 million, 471 grants) versus $25.4 million over 345 grants to district charter schools.

The bulk of the cash – 45 percent – are going toward six areas: General operating support ($11 million), human capital ($7.5 million), start-up expenses ($4.5 million), as well as $3 million each for Expanded Learning Time, capital improvements and reading and literacy intervention, according to the Trust.

NET Navigator also shows the South, West and Central Wards are receiving the most money (roughly $28 million), compared to the East and North Ward's collective $3.3 million. Sixteen of 27 total charter schools in Newark are located in the Central Ward, with none in the East Ward.

The , accounts for nearly one third of all grant dollars recorded by NET Navigation for the 2011-12 school year, the Trust said.

The Trust lists among its more interesting finds of NET Navigation: Actress Goldie Hawn's "Mind Up" program is hosted in 17 schools and 70 percent of funding in 2011 was made up by Foundation for Newark's Future, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Prudential Foundation, Victoria Foundation and Newark Charter School Fund.

During developmental months, the Trust culled financial information from foundations and funders, checking that data against annual reports, including 990s. Now, the database is updated almost hourly, with a quick turnaround for organizations who need to make corrections. The hope is the public database will create an environment of accountability, encouraging funders to get their numbers right.

"The Trust believes we manage this project, we host it, we support it, we make sure it's current and relevant," said McHarris, "but this needs to be owned by everyone, especially funders, to make sure this information is updated and correct."

The second phase of NET Navigation, expected in February 2013, will include demographic and impact data, including programs' retention and attendance rates, said McHarris. The database will also eventually take into account money given to independent and private schools, officials said.

"This story is always going to be evolving, but we have enough information now that should be informing practice," said Danis. "People should be making decisions based on who's doing what where."