The LEA Union head is about to receive a full salary – despite working no hours – while approximately 140 teachers face layoffs, documents show.
A sidebar on tonight’s Agenda shows the LEA (union) President Kim Shaw will receive full salary – despite working no hours.
During last month’s meeting, attorney Michael Inzelbuch raised an issue with the Sidebar Agreement, specifically, that such “deals” were not appropriate, and were specifically found to be highly questionable by the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation in 2012, and was not transparent as required.
Attorney Inzelbuch says this is a slap in the face to the over 100 staff members facing layoffs.
“Nothing against the Union, but can you believe this is being done again without transparency as required? Sure it could be legal, but when the Board is laying off more than 100 staff who work, the Board is about to agree to allow a teacher to be paid fulltime for not working. What type of message does that send?”
Inzelbuch also stated “They say that ½ her salary will be paid for by the Union. Even so, this is exactly what was happening when Ms. Carol Cousins was president and still frowned upon. C’mon.”
This is actually common. The work of a union Pres. can be full time, grievances, disciplines , contract negotiations etc. As such, the contract is negotiated so that the Pres retains their title, benefits and salary. If you don’t like it, bring that up in the next round of negotiations.
Great. Now how do we stop that. Looks like Mr. Inzelbuch is edging towards something he wants. If it works out good for Lakewood at the same time.. all the better. Put your strengths to real use for the klal Mr. I.
The LEA president is getting full time because she is out and about in the district taking care of the duties of her elected (by her peers) position requires. Recently she was in Trenton advocating for funds from the state the help with the financial deficit that the BOE has yet again incurred.
If The Lakewood Board of Education was able to get their act together and perform their elected duties the LEA president might not require a full time release.
As a side bar:
Full time release president is not unique to Lakewood. In Ocean county both the Jackson and Toms River union presidents, to name a few, (there are many others) are fulltime release positions so that they are available for their members when needed.
the only difference is that Jackson and Lakewood public kids have books and are not firing 100 plus staff
So – I am not as smart as lawyers .
BUT — what has the union done here other than carry signs and screamed .
nothing
I was an aide @ Piners. I was fired. I asked for union help and got zilch
@Union Man
The union has provided information to all staff members-both tenured and non-tenured. Including those have been given notice of the effects of the BOE budget issues. Information and action has been on overload.
@Former employee
What were you fired for? Were fired for unprofessional behavior? Reduction due to bugetary cuts?
I find it difficult to believe that the senior representatives in your building did not respond to your request.
come on Mr I, when are you going to represent the staff and teachers and totally blow this whole thing up?
NOT interested .
Unfortunately , the district will implode —
no need “to blow this whole thing up .”
As a school employee of a neighboring district, I completely understand how hard a union head works and how much time he/she spends addressing the needs of the union members. With that being said, there is an amazing Union head in my district who is also a Middle School teacher. She does an awesome job in both of her duties. I think that a part-time job makes sense but a full-time paid employee?!?!?!
I’d rather see Mr. I (along with a team of other qualified attorneys) represent Lakewood in Trenton to advocate for changing the formula to something more fair to places like Lakewood.