Politically connected company gets $40,000 Paterson schools contract to conduct ‘personnel audit’
By Jayed Rahman
Published: March 12, 2021
A politically connected company that has worked for key Democratic Party politicians, including assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, received a $40,000 contract from the Paterson Public Schools to conduct a “personnel audit.”
Thorough Planning LLC was awarded the contract by the school board on Wednesday night. School board members approved the contract in a 7-0-1 vote. Longtime school board member Jonathan Hodges abstained from the vote.
School board members did not discuss the work the company will be doing at the public meeting. Thorough Planning will be doing a “qualified independent” assessment of “current staffing levels and needs across all Central Office departments,” according to the award resolution.
“This is something the Board wanted done in preparation for next year’s budget. They wish to have an outside agency come in and review all human resources procedures and personnel and make recommendations,” said Paul Brubaker, spokesman for the Paterson Public Schools. “The hope is by using an outside agency, the recommendations will be based on more unbiased opinions. They will be presenting a final report which will assist the Board in making decisions as to staffing needs, human resources policies, protocols, etc.”
The district issued a request for quotation (RFQ) to four companies, but received just a single proposal from Thorough Planning, according to district records.
Thorough Planning’s website states the company’s past and present clients include Friends of Benjie E. Wimberly, Menendez for Senate, Booker for Senate, New Jersey Senate Majority PAC, Mapp for Mayor – Plainfield, and Friends of Verlina Reynolds Jackson.
Thorough Planning LLC is owned by Gerard M. Balmir and T. Missy Balmir.
Email: [email protected]