Where I stand on the important issues:

$7.5 Million Administration Building

I will do everything in my power to stop the project.  There was no transparency.  The Board is taking millions away from our schools, hurting students and teachers.  All of the $7.5 million is Lodi tax dollars.  Lodi is ineligible for any grant money from the State.  The public was never given an opportunity to vote on it.  The whole process needs to be investigated. 

Excesses for school leadership.

In his 4^th year, Business Administrator Marc Capizzi’s salary is $168,318.  It is one of highest in the State.  Capizzi had no prior school experience when he was hired and his position was never advertised.

Superintendent Frank Quatrone is receiving the maximum salary of $167,000 and a $25,108 merit bonus each year even though our district is failing in many areas.

I will never approve contracts like these for administration. 

Lodi High School was ranked 292 out of 337 by NJ Monthly Magazine.

I will make it a top priority to improve SAT scores and passing rates on Advanced Placement Exams. Lodi is not meeting its targets for “College and Career Readiness”. 

I have seen some low performing districts get so caught up with their low PARCC scores that they neglect their SAT and AP issues.  Lodi has to multi-task and take on all at the same time.

For years, I was an SAT tutor for Math.  I have experience in this area.

Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest

The majority of Board members have immediate family members employed by the district.  They are not supposed to vote on the most important things.  Because there are not enough members to make a quorum, they vote anyway by invoking “Doctrine of Necessity”.  They have to send a copy of their vote to the School Ethics Commission listing their conflicts.  It’s a bad situation all the way around.

The Lodi Board needs a strong, local anti-nepotism policy.

Problems with Curriculum

In 2015, Lodi failed its QSAC review for “Instruction and Program”.  The Board responded by adding two more “Supervisors of Curriculum”, bringing the number to four.  Supervisors of Curriculum are making over $140,000 a year.  Lodi doesn’t need four supervisors of curriculum.  Lodi needs the right curriculum, not a bloated bureaucracy.

Improve morale for school employees.

Talented and dedicated school employees cannot advance because almost promotions go to family of Board members.

Teachers are currently working without a contract.  Middle School teachers have been given additional responsibilities and see others getting paid for the additional work they are doing.

Many teachers feel disrespected and mistreated by a certain administrator tied to Board members.

Ethics Reform

I filed an ethics complaint against Board President Joseph Licata for multiple violations.  Licata and his attorney received two unfavorable decisions so far and his case is going before an Administrative Law Judge.

I will bring the toughest ethical standards to the Board.