Licata: “Last
school year the Board of Education received a report from the structural
engineer that the Lincoln School building, a building that is more than 120
years old and suffered two fires, was not structurally sound.”
Truth: The first line of the structural engineer’s executive summary begins: “The
building is generally sound and in good structural condition …
People can read the whole report for themselves. It is contained in the link below:
As for the fires, they occurred over forty years
ago. That isn’t relevant to the issue
today.
Licata stated at the November meeting that children meet with the Child Study Team in that building and he wouldn't want it on him if someone got hurt. Licata had children meet there for nine months since making that statement. So much for the fake urgency.
Licata stated at the November meeting that children meet with the Child Study Team in that building and he wouldn't want it on him if someone got hurt. Licata had children meet there for nine months since making that statement. So much for the fake urgency.
Licata: “The
board, after weighing a multitude of options, unanimously supported a decision
to build a new building.”
Truth: Neither Licata nor any Board member were able
to name one other option discussed when questioned at the November and December
meetings.
An OPRA request was placed seeking the meeting dates
of the supposed 4-person sub-committee, the location of the meetings, and who
was in attendance. That request was
met with an empty response.
All evidence shows that Joe Capizzi planned this
building before he retired and before there was any engineer report. No other options were ever considered.
Licata: “Fortunately, the board has resources in its
Capital Improvement Fund to cover the project.”
Truth: After the Board already voted to move forward
with $7.5 million project, it did NOT have enough in their Capital Improvement
Fund. They had to make a bunch of budget
transfers after the fact.
Licata: “The Lodi Board of Education has not had to
go to referendum or needed to implement major tax increases to fund capital
improvement projects in our schools."
Truth: By taking away the people’s right to vote
(no referendum), Lodi became ineligible for any State grant money. 100% of the project will be funded by Lodi
tax dollars. A large chunk of the
money came from this major tax increase:
Licata: “Curioni has attempted to label the Lincoln
School project solely as “an administration building,” leaving out the fact
that the new building will house the district’s Child Study Team."
Truth: In
other districts the Child Study Team meets with parents, children, and staff in
a conference room (within a school). Other districts do not spend $7.5 million on
an administration building for approximately 22 employee and then justify it by
pretending that the Child Study Team facility has to be something that it isn’t.
Licata: This project will not increase taxes or
compromise the quality of education in our school district.
Truth: The Capital Improvement Fund has been
depleted. Any future repairs or projects
will result in major tax increases.
Parents at Wilson School and Washington School keep
asking why they don’t have air conditioning when the Board is squandering $7.5
million on this project.
Side Note: There has been no transparency.
Timelines don’t add up. Other options were never considered. What are
the TRUE MOTIVES behind those pushing this project?
Kickbacks?
Will Licata’s wife be working in the building after the Board promotes her?
