Sunday, July 4, 2021

Correction: Yadiria Jimenez Abstained on the LEA Contract Vote. The Contract Was Approved with Only 4 "Yes" Votes. Kerry Mastrofilipo was the 4th "Yes" Vote.


This resolution never appeared on any meeting agenda.  When I asked for a video link to the meeting, I was told all links to the video were gone the day after the meeting.  When I asked who the four YES votes were, I was told by someone at the meeting that they were from Natalie Delgado, Jocelyn Anderson, Laura Cima, and Yadiria Jimenez.  According to the Resolution above that I had to receive via OPRA, Kerry Mastrofilipo was the 4th Yes vote, not Yadiria Jimenez.  


Taxpayers of Lodi can dig up Kerry Mastrofilipo's past door knockers to see what she said about LEA negotiations, LEA contracts, and "citizens against corruption".  Then they can analyze how her campaign rhetoric lines up with her votes, actions, and procedures while on the board.  Board members have the right to vote however they like but they should always be honest with voters.


This resolution should have appeared on an agenda.  A video of the meeting should be provided on the district website and other platforms used by the superintendent.  An overview of the costs for the new LEA contract (3% annual increases) and its impact on the Lodi property taxes should have been provided to the public.  A disclosure that Natalie Delgado accepted $4,000 from the NJEA in her most recent election should have been disclosed to the public prior to her voting “Yes”, leading negotiations, and being the first signature on the MOA.