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Atlantic City’s Troubling Trends: Contracts, Cash, and Questions

A Superintendent’s Renewal Amidst Controversy

The Atlantic City school board is poised to vote on renewing Superintendent La'Quetta Small’s contract for another five years—despite lingering skepticism. Critics question why she was cleared of past allegations just as this new deal comes into play. Is this a pattern of contracts over accountability, where leadership issues are resolved with extensions rather than resolutions?

A $750,000 Party: Celebration or Excess?

While the school board deliberates over education, the mayor has set aside $750,000 for his 2026 inauguration party at a local casino. That’s 50% more than similar events cost just a few years ago. Taxpayers may wonder: Why this extravagance when public funds could address pressing needs?

Calls for Investigation: What’s Really Going On?

A county leader is pushing for a state review of a prosecutor handling a case tied to rising costs. Such requests rarely surface unless deeper concerns exist—concerns that stretch beyond a single contract or event. When officials demand investigations, it’s often because they suspect something far bigger is wrong.

The Bigger Question: Who Benefits?

These stories share a common thread—timing and priorities. Are decisions driven by education, transparency, or hidden agendas? When major choices are rushed, it’s worth asking:

• Who gains from these moves?
• Who ends up paying the price?

The answers may reveal more than just policy—they could expose the true direction of Atlantic City’s leadership.