This has been going on even during the previous SHEFA administration, Hofschneider reported to the board yesterday.
“I already told my staff to stop giving out denial letters,” he said.
Without disclosing the number of students, he said some trade school students asked for denial letters to “prove” they were not given financial assistance by SHEFA so they could instead seek assistance from the Workforce Investment Agency and the food stamp office.
NMTI earlier complained about SHEFA’s denial of the applications of some of its students.
The school’s owner, Tony Pellegrino, stated that of the over 150 applications submitted by NMTI only 10 received “a few dollars.”
SHEFA said it continues to assist qualified NMTI students, and has increased the scholarship award from $800 to $1,000 for each student each year despite the gradual decrease of funds available for the program.
Hofschneider also reported to the board what he believed was a “threat” from Pellegrino.
Hofschneider read a message from the local businessman stating: “Neither of us will enjoy the alternate result if we cannot talk decently and sincerely to one another. It will not be pleasant.”
“I take his remark as a threat,” Hofschneider said, although Pellegrino explained in his reply that he was not making a threat.
The Variety was unable to get a comment from Pellegrino.
SHEFA Board Chairman Jose Mafnas said Pellegrino’s letter was “unacceptable,” adding that it was the students of NMTI who were “begging” to be denied scholarship assistance.
Mafnas advised Hofschneirder to stop discussions with NMTI regarding SHEFA funding assistance.
