School Board to Washington Academy: Pay Up or Ship Out

The Cedar Grove Board of Education has entered into a landlord-tenant dispute with a private school in the township, which could face eviction if it doesn't come up with more than $100,000 in back rent and fees.

According to court papers obtained by Patch this week, the Cedar Grove Board of Education has filed a complaint against Washington Academy on Pompton Avenue for $130,230.92 in unpaid back rent, maintenance and utilities fees and late fees.

If the academy does not pay by 4:30 p.m. on the trial date, which the court website lists as Nov. 28, the school could face near-immediate expulsion from the property it has leased from the Board of Education since 2002.

Washington Academy is a private school housed in the old Leonard R. Parks School building directly across from Township Hall. It serves students as young as three and as old as 21 with mild to moderate behavioral and learning disabilities.

According to court documents, the school pays the board $48,125 a month in rent, and is responsible for expenses resulting from maintenance and utilities for the leased portion of the building.

The total amount owed to the board in the complaint consists of two months rent ($96,250), $24,740.66 in unpaid maintenance and utilities fees, and $9,240 in late fees pursuant to the lease agreement. The board also reserves the right to tack on attorney fees incurred by the board in connection with this legal action.

It is not the first time Washington Academy has been in arrears on its rent. Board of Education President Frank Mandala said this week that in 2005-2006, the Academy owed the school more than $178,000 in back rent, and was ordered by a judge to repay the Board in two installments.

"I'm disappointed that Washington Academy has put the Board in this position again. I think the Board has been more than fair to them in light of all the situations have have gone on there over the years," Mandala said this week.

Earlier this month, police were called to the school on a series of incidents including .

David Schwartz, Director of Washington Academy, did not return emails seeking comment.