Queens Principal Accused of Misusing School Funds
A principal in Queens, who has close ties to former Jay-Z manager Damon Dash and his wife, is facing allegations of misappropriating school funds for personal connections, whistleblowers claim.
Aneesha Jacko, leading PS 35 Nathaniel Woodhull in Hollis since October 2020, reportedly spends considerable taxpayer money on books from friends, hiring them as consultants and promoting her brand with an extensive mural that resembles a billboard, according to staff members.
“It’s quite surprising that she’s still in charge of our school,” remarked one faculty member.
The city schools task force has been looking into reports concerning Jacko’s spending habits for over three years, as confirmed by spokesman Jason Brooks. He noted the case remains open, so details are limited.
To date, no criminal charges have been filed against Jacko.
A report issued in 2022 by the Special Commissioner of Investigation pointed out that she allowed improper overtime payments to a favored teacher, totaling $10,500. Additionally, three other complaints have been sent to the city’s Department of Education for further investigation.
Jacko is known to have strong connections with Dash, a figure embroiled in controversy, who recently filed for bankruptcy to escape $5 million in legal obligations and currently owes New York City $2.1 million in unpaid taxes. His wife, Raquel Horn, recently visited PS 35 to promote her book.
According to reports, school funds were used to acquire around 500 paperbacks, priced at $14.95 each. A similar transaction occurred in 2022 for Horn’s earlier book, though the total expenses remain unclear.
Dash defended the purchases and criticized the ongoing investigation. “I have the budget to buy books; what’s the problem?” he questioned, emphasizing positive outcomes from the books. He added that, in his view, the scrutiny of Jacko may stem from racial bias because she is a successful black woman in education.
Regarding academic performance, only 40% of PS 35’s third to fifth graders demonstrated proficiency in last year’s state reading test, falling below the city average of 47%.
Jacko’s Instagram features a “paid partnership” tag with Dash’s clothing brand. However, Dash stated that no such deal currently exists, claiming that the purchased items were just T-shirts sold at cost price.
Photos online portray moments shared between Jacko and the Dash family, highlighting a close relationship. Dash explained their connection formed through education consultant Dennis McKeesey, who has worked closely with Jacko.
School records indicate that Jacko paid McKeesey’s company over $49,000 earlier in 2022. Yet, staff members reported little to no visible impact from his presence at the school.
Jacko’s Instagram also showcases her association with A. McLarty, another close friend for whom she purchased around 100 copies of her book—targeted at young students—with funding from school resources.
Other significant acquisitions include a staggering 1,285 books authored by Jacko’s friend, Brianna Greenspan, with bulk purchases raising eyebrows among faculty. Reports suggest that Jacko allocated nearly $61,000 towards these books.
“There aren’t many other books for our kids included in these orders,” voiced one teacher.
Insiders express concern over Jacko’s extravagant mural, featuring titles and names of her friends, making it appear to be a means of free advertising funded by taxpayer dollars.
Most staff who spoke on the matter requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation. As of now, the Department of Education has not commented on Jacko’s situation, and she has not provided any response to requests for comments.
