Hackensack School Board Sues Ex-Superintendent & Administrator Over Alleged “Scheme” and $15M Deficit
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, the Hackensack Board of Education has dropped a bombshell lawsuit against former Superintendent Thomas McBryde, former Business Administrator Lydia Singh, and several vendors. The suit alleges a systemic “scheme” involving reckless spending, unapproved hiring, and payments for services that were never actually rendered—all contributing to a staggering $15 million budget shortfall.
The legal move comes as the district prepares for a “perilous” financial future that will likely involve significant cuts to staff and student programs.
The Allegations: Payments for “Ghost” Services
At the heart of the lawsuit is the claim that McBryde and Singh bypassed state public contract laws to funnel money to specific vendors. According to the board, the district paid for mentoring, instructional support, and data analysis that never took place.
The district is seeking to recover over $250,000 from the following vendors:
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Moment of Mindfulness (Curtis Smith & Samuel Smith)
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Vibrant Ed. Consulting (Adonna Burns)
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Context Matter (Dia Bryant)
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Malasia Walker
The $15 Million Deep Dive: How the Surplus Vanished
The lawsuit paints a picture of extreme financial mismanagement. Rather than raising taxes or following sustainable budgeting practices, the suit claims the defendants “raided” the district’s savings.
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Savings Depleted: The district’s surplus, intended for emergencies and capital improvements, was used to balance the budget and has been “very nearly wiped away.”
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The “Rubber Stamp” Problem: While Singh allegedly warned McBryde privately about his spending, the suit claims she “rubber-stamped” the recklessness and failed to notify the Board of Education despite numerous opportunities.
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Hidden Costs: The duo reportedly pulled money from various department budgets to pay incoming bills without proper purchase orders.
40 New Positions the District “Could Not Afford”
Perhaps the most damaging allegation involves a massive hiring spree orchestrated by McBryde shortly after he took office in January 2024.
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40 Full-Time Jobs: McBryde allegedly created these positions without proper board transparency.
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Price Tag: The salary costs totaled $3.6 million, plus an additional $985,650 in health benefits.
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Conflicts of Interest: The suit alleges McBryde hired individuals with whom he had “close personal relationships” without disclosing those ties to the board.
What’s Next for Hackensack Schools?
The district is currently operating under a cloud of uncertainty.
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Corrective Action Plan: The board is meeting this week to discuss a plan to address the $15 million deficit, which will likely lead to painful cuts.
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Administrative Status: McBryde remains on administrative leave (his contract runs through 2027), while Singh retired in October 2025 following a complex tenure dispute.
Board President Jennifer Harris attributed the crisis to a “culmination of improper budgeting practices” and the actions of prior leadership.
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Gentlemen, we must protect our phony baloney jobs.
Let’s spend tens of thousands on a lawsuit to draw attention away from a Board of Education that approved the spending we now say was improper.
Side question, how are the reading and math scores in Hackensack?
Thanks for ‘axing’ the impotent questions
What do you think the Village Of Ridgewood hasn’t done secret hirings in the past. They sure have, how many members have been hired with no credentials. No schooling, no experience, no proper license, no selective service testing and grading. Zippo, here’s the keys go drive that truck cooperate that equipment. What do you think? We don’t know it’s all documented. We exactly know it was behind it remember, we’re behind the curtain.
Well, he was sup in NYC, and that is the way of the world in NYCDOE. Come investigate the NYC education Department… massive exodus….people would be walking out with handcuffs.