The rumor mill in Lakewood is abuzz as the Board of Education gets ready for tonight’s meeting. If anyone can suggest some factual information, please use the comment section. Inquiring minds want to know.
Rumor #1: Is Board Attorney Michael Inzelbuch really resigning? Someone seems to think so.
Rumor #2: How displeased is the Lakewood community with the state’s “loan” of $28 million and the Board’s agreement to start paying it back in a year, on top of the $47 million that the district already owes the state?
Item #1 from “First Amendment Activist“:
1. Why is the board taking such large loans?2. What money does the board of ed plan on using for repaying the state loans?
3. Will the Board Of Ed borrow even more money just to be able to repay these loans?
4. There isn’t enough money to cover basic budget, let alone a loan repayment plan?
5. Will Lakewood taxpayers be on the hook for these ridiculous loans, in the form of a massive property tax increase to all Lakewood residents?
Don’t wait until you see a steep increase on your tax bill.
Speak up now, before it’s too late!!!!
Let them know that it’s not ok.
Be heard!
Be sure when you arrive to ask for the list to speak. You must write your name on the list, in order to speak
רבותי
Time to speak up!!
Item #2: Hefkervelt cites tonight’s agenda and asks, “how is the $28 million dollar loan being spent?”
Some answers:
*Adjustment for Increase in Health Care Costs $1,915,006
*Close to $3 Million Yearly contract to Sodexo plus an additional General Support Services Allowance.
*$180,118.00 and another Management fee of $186,947.00
More lawyers because $600,000 a year to Michael Inzelbuch isn’t enough:
*Motion to approve Robert S. Finger, Consultant Services for Negotiations, effective July
1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, at a rate of $125.00 per hour.
*Motion to approve Hillary A. Fraenkel, Esq. of Clausen Miller, P.C., for the remainder of
2017-2018 SY and for the 2018-2019 SY, at the following rates: $250/hour for partners,
$225/hour for associates, $95/hour for law clerks and paralegals.
*Request to renew the contract with Café Clifton to supply Pre-K Kosher Vended Meals for
the 2018-2019 school year which was originally awarded thru Bid 02-1617 on June 22, 2016,
for an estimated cost of $424,320 based on approximately 78,000 meals served annually.
Item #3: Hefkervelt’s list could be longer. Example: per tonight’s agenda, an example of how LPS uses public funds for yeshivas that don’t meet the state’s definition of a school:
For more on Lakewood’s practice of using public funds for religious purposes, see this post where Fiscal Monitor Michael Azzara says under oath that he can’t understand “how children with learning deficits or disabilities could function or progress or catch up in schools that didn’t even really have a curriculum or a substantial academic program.”
The Board will also accept the resignation of Herbierto Rodriquez, who says he can no longer serve because he’s “a man of integrity.” One can only wish there were more of that going around.