As the election campaign comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to summarize some of the points that I have made throughout my campaign. 1) The superintendent and the entire district staff must be held accountable for the education of Lakewood’s children. A plan must be formulate for how and when the failing schools will be transformed into excellent schools. Benchmarks must be set and they must be met.
2) The tax levy must continue to go down. Every dollar that is spent must be scrutinized to make sure that Lakewood is getting value for their dollar. It is inexcusable that 80% of the bus contracts are renewed without seeing if a lower bid would be possible. (By just threatening to put the custodial contract out to bid the district saw significant savings)
3) The district spends a significant amount of money on transportation. The companies must be held accountable. There should be a clear record of every single bus when they arrived at the schools, both in the morning and afternoon.
4) The issue with non public school services is not money. It seems that it would be illegal to supplement the amount that the district receives from the federal and state government from the local tax levy. The issue is administration. The vendors that are not performing should be replaced. We should also do what ever is possible to make Lakewood attractive to the largest number of vendors.
5) The district must adhere to the law and provide transportation on all days when private schools are in session, Monday to Friday, from September to June. This includes legal holidays.
6) The public school children must feel safe and secure in school. The superintendent must produce the security plan that was due over 2 months ago.
7) The board meetings should be made more accessible to the public. They are the opportunity that the board has to hear first hand from the public what goes on in the public and private schools. By delaying public comment till late at night they are squandering that opportunity.
8) The business administrator has proposed a 70 million dollar tax levy. At the same time the superintendent and board have shown a measure of no confidence in the business administrator by terminating his contract. As happy as I am with a 4% decrease in the budget I find it irresponsible to support a 70 million dollar tax levy under such circumstances. I therefore will be voting NO on the budget in the hope that extra savings can be found.
Although I have done my best to run my campaign in a positive way, it is possible that some people may have been offended by things that I have said. If so I ask for their mechilla (forgiveness).
I would like to thank TLS for providing a platform for me to bring my message to the public.
why cant this candidate step up to the plate and say i will help educate the children of Lakewood and get the the therapy and services they need. I will find a way. Instead of saying there is no way because of federal, state ………….
I’m paying 11k in RE taxes 5 of it goes to public schools can’t he throw in a word about vouchers so we can use them to pay our schools ?
No he can’t “throw in a word” about vouchers because it has NOTHING to do with the LAKEWOOD BOE. It’s a state issue to the best of my knowledge. I’d love those vouchers too but they ain’t coming tomorrow.
Because there is NO WAY! Would you rather he lie? Should he say he will find a way and that way be illegal and he should find himself behind bars?
he has my vote!!!
Boruch says – “The issue with non public school services is not money. It seems that it would be illegal to supplement the amount that the district receives from the federal and state government from the local tax levy.”
Illegal? Under what law? No such law!
What is illegal, is all the federal and State money for special ed and services being misappropriated.
Please get the facts straight.
Why is he acting like an attorney insead of a BOE candidate?
Cant wait for this to be over.