The Lodi Board of Education and its Business Administrator Have Not Been Honest or Transparent About the Business Administator’s Compensation…

Michael Rinderknecht sent a 2024-25 user friendly budget to the State showing his annual base salary to be $173,250 (he listed a contract ending June 30, 2024).

UFB25_2740.pdf

Monthly payroll for this school year shows Michal Rinderknecht’s salary was $209,920.08.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BttO6iKdLpEClnUR1yq4OdDmMBg1gU7q/view?usp=sharing

The Lodi BOE is showing that it gave Michael Rinderknecht a 36,670.08 pay raise for this current school year.

It is being reported that the Lodi Board of Education awarded a new contract to Michael Rinderknecht at this weeks’ BOE meeting without posting it on any meeting agenda.  It is being reported that his new salary is $213,000.

This is excessive for an interim that is only required to show up to work 4 days a week. 

This is a public body using public funds.  The lack of honesty and transparency from this Board of Education and its administration is unacceptable.  

With all the Millions More in Additional State Pouring into Lodi in Recent Years, the Lodi Board of Education is Still Showing a 2% Tax Increase.

 

2024-25 Tax Levy: $39,060,220

2025-26 Tax Levy: $39,841,244

Increase: $781,024; 2% Tax Increase

Link to 2025-26 User Friendly Budget Posted to the district website:

2025-26 User Friendly Budget.pdf

Link to 2024-25 User Friendly Budget:

UFB25_2740.pdf

Sean Spiller and the NJEA Love Playing the Victim...

All the Millions from the NJEA Couldn't Get Spiller on the Debate Stage...

Link to story:

https://sunlightpolicynj.org/new-jersey-101-5-nj-teachers-are-shocked-and-furious-when-they-learn-the-truth-about-njea-president-spillers-run-for-governor/

The New Contract for Lodi Board of Education "Interim" Business Administration, Micheal Rinderknech, Exemplifies the Excesses and Abuse at 8 Hunter Street...

Everyone that negotiated and approved the new contract should be thrown out of office.

They represent the excesses and abuse in government that disgusts most people.

A lesson should have been learned a few years ago with Frank Quatrone and Robert Brown. The BOE received a huge stack of resumes for a highly advertised open position for BA. Many resumes were great. Quatrone refused to interview one person. He said he wanted Robert Brown as interim BA and nobody else. Robert Brown was sleeping at his desk and forging vouchers for additional pay.

These interim BAs that Lodi has been using for too long are not impressive. They are not special. They are extremely overpaid and  greedy. They are overly political. They grab as much as they can while providing no long term plans or vision. They are reckless with our tax dollars.

Who should be BA? Any honest, fiscally conservative person that can use a software program. They exist but the people running our Board wouldn't want that. Because they have too much to hide.

If the Board Office and BOE members are proud of awarding the new contract, why isn't it posted on our district website? They all went out of their way to undo every transparency measure that existed until 2019.

Alan Spiniello Has the Same Pay Arrangement as the Board Attorney in Lakewood. How is Lodi Getting Away With It?

 

Click on link below:

http://lodioverhaul.blogspot.com/2023/03/how-does-lodi-mayor-and-council-get.html

Past posts containing "Spiniello":

http://lodioverhaul.blogspot.com/search?q=Spiniello&max-results=20&by-date=true

Once Again, OFAC Was Very Late to the Game in Addressing Lakewood's Attorney Pay Abuses. Lodi Was Committing the Same Violations for Decades (At a Smaller Cost Scale Compared to Lakewood). OFAC Doesn't Do Its Job Until it is Publicly Shamed into Doing Something.

 

Link to recent article about Lakewood:

Lakewood board attorney Michael Inzelbuch new pact blocked by monitor

Link to OFAC report about Lakewood:

OFACReport-RELegalServicesContract-February252025.pdf

The Lodi Board of Education was committing the same violations (at as smaller cost scale compared to Lakewood) until I shamed OFAC into taking some action.

Link to 2017 article from northjersey.com:

Lodi: School board working on legal contract corrective action plan

Link to 2017 OFAC report and corrective action plan for the Lodi Board of Education:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5rsibgv_9q_dG1RX3ViY3NiWjA/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-D_RW1_FMi3WFg0XURx-Yzg

I had told the Record reporter at the time that I had flagged Anthony Scirarrillo's billing which initiated the investigation.  The truth is I outlined all of the violations that Lodi was committing with legal billing and based it on a 2013 report from the New Jersey Comptroller's Office.  I did all the work for OFAC.  I shamed OFAC into doing something after I called out its double standard for addressing something in Bogota and ignoring the same for Lodi.

Is Lodi better off today with its handling of legal costs and practices? No. Matthew Giacobbe engages in very dishonest practices as outlined on this blog over the years.  He bills worse than other firms.  He is retained without any competitive procurement processes.  He illegally redacts invoices and other public records that other firms would never attempt to redact.  He engages in bad pay-to-play for his contracts.  And he gets away with it by making members of the legislature Partners in his firm.  There is no accountability from the State or from the Board of Education with regards to his billing and practices.

John Cannizzaro Should Be Thrown Off the Lodi Board of Education and Deported to California Where He Can Spend All His Time Pushing Higher Taxes and Polluting the Minds of Young Children...

 

Link to video of John Cannizzaro being his loud, obnoxious self:

https://www.facebook.com/Lodi07644/videos/lodi-tax-payers-getting-away-with-murder/2056300234879946

February 2025 Payroll for the Lodi Board of Education...

 

Link to February Bills:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BttO6iKdLpEClnUR1yq4OdDmMBg1gU7q/view?usp=sharing

February 2025 Bills for the Lodi Board of Education...

Link to February Bills:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QCZX0dg4r8PEzj3GiAmSfWdDJ4E6BvJR/view?usp=sharing

The Babylon Bee Covers the Dismantling of the Department of Education...

Link to story:

https://babylonbee.com/news/layoffs-delayed-as-dept-of-education-officials-unable-to-calculate-how-many-employees-fifty-percent-would-be

Main Witness, Who is Funded by Randi Weingarten and Spoke Against School Choice Before Congress, Attended Private School. This is So Common Among Teacher Union Hypocrites...

 

The Lodi-Paramus Town Job for Town Job Tradeoff...

 The Boro of Paramus employs Lodi Mayor Scott Luna’s Sister:

The Boro of Paramus employs Lodi Mayor Scott Luna’s Son:

The Boro of Lodi Employs Paramus Councilman Robert Kaiser’s Wife in Sheryl Luna’s department:

Scott Luna and Vinny Martin who run the Lodi Democrat Committee fund the “Republican” campaign of Robert Kaiser in Paramus so there appears to be some special friendship/relationship:

Lodi By The Numbers: Campaign Contributions by Lodi PRIDE and Joe Leto Reported on ELEC for October...

Tony Luna long engaged in the town job for town job tradeoff and it continues today.

February 2025 Payroll for Lodi Borough Hall...

 

Link to February 14^th Payroll:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rSh3HIBWlvj-0_2FNluCVdSBsHQPjyO9/view?usp=sharing

Link to February 28^th Payroll:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qNKIhXrMdCeRPd2L5NoPajH9-vmq5zLK/view?usp=sharing

February 2025 Bills Approved by the Lodi Mayor and Council...

Link to February Bills:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MWpitvWKI3jDnsV56fhYgeZicanxOqB2/view?usp=sharing

All Resolutions of the Lodi Mayor and Council for the Month of February 2025...

 Please download these attachments from the links below:

• 07_Approved_Appt_Salary_Modification_Luna_Morrison.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025353665_25-12_Approved_Appointment_Substitute_Court_Admin_Kevin_Cuneo.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025394694_25-13_Approved_HVAC_Plumbing_T_M_Preventative_Maintenance_Binsky___Snyder.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025400250_25-14_Approved_Library_Board_Trustee_Appointments_Viscana__Schrieks__Cannizzaro.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025402056_25-15_Approved_Redstone_Branca_Change_Order.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025404326_25-16_Approved_Redstone_Branca_Close_of_Contract___Final_Payment.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025410799_25-17_Approved_Appointment_PD_Sergeants_Delia__Nobre__Sarabamoun__Watts.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025412384_25-18_Approved_Appointment_Keyboard_Clerk_1_Ramirez.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025440713_25-19_Approved_Haven_Place_East_Solid_Waste_2025.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025524327_25-20_Approved_South_Gate_Condos_Solid_Waste_2025.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025542510_25-21_Approved_GWE_Contractors_Generator_Maintenance_and_Service.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025562662_25-22_Approved_Agreement_Sharp_Business_Systems_Redacted.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025581093_25-23_Approved_Bills_February_2025.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025112462_25-24_Approved_CoOp_Purchase_Rock_Salt.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025150614_25-25_Approved_CoOp_Purchase_Fuel_Oil.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025154183_25-26_Approved_Addendum_Appraisal_Systems.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025461454_25-27_Approved_FSA_Plan_Clarity_IDA.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025462966_25-28_Approved_Payout_Jayne_Mania.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025470656_25-29_Approved_Planning_Zoning_Interim_Secretary_Salvacion.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025490518_25-30_Approved_Architectural___Engineering_Services_EI_Associates.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025520076_25-31_Approved_Release_of_Performance_Bond___Safety-Stabilization_Bond_Urban_Edge.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025534466_25-32_Approved_Vehicle_Dealer_License_Chahrour_Best_Cars_R_Us.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025540286_25-33_Solid_Waste_Cali_Carting.pdf
• 05dc0c12-02025574323_25-34_Approved_Bills_February_2025__2_of_2_.pdf

Karen Viscana and John Cannizzaro are Too Toxic to Place on any Board. They Were Horrible for Our Schools. They Are Horrible for Our Library.

 

The Sister of Lodi Mayor Scott Luna Got a Very Significant Pay Raise for Her "Part-time" Position. The Mayor and Council's Resolution is Lacking an Explanation or Justification.

 

They must have used the same criteria for the raise that Tony Luna used for the initial hiring:

Lodi By The Numbers: Tony Luna was fined $1,000 by the State of New Jersey for multiple violations from when he hired his Daughter, Sheryl Luna Biondi, as Lodi Treasurer...

Lodi By The Numbers: Lodi's CFO, Charles Cuccia, has been fined $1,200 by the State of New Jersey for multiple violations involving himself and the Luna Family...

Lodi Deputy Mayor Vinny Martin Should Explain this Public Notice from Last March Involving the Strip Club that He So Proudly Called Himself the "Owner"...

Lodi Deputy Mayor, Vinny Martin, proudly called himself the owner of “AJ’s” in Secaucus.  The business was busted multiple times for prostitution, cocaine sales, etc.

Link to background:

https://hudsonreporter.com/news/secaucus/go-go-bar-closure/

Vinny Martin’s name never appeared in any news articles or Channel 12 News segments as all news reports omitted the mention of any owner.  Vinny Martin has been given special treatment and a free pass. 

The notice above states that the Plenary Retail Consumption License was transferred to Geoffrey Santini. A person with that name was receiving contracts from the Lodi Mayor and Council when Tony Luna was Borough Manager. He was also featured on an NBC I-Team investigation in 2018.

Link to video:

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-jersey-housing-authority-north-bergen-geoffrey-santini-fired-nj/459963/

Vinny Martin is voting on matters that affect the public as Lodi Deputy Mayor and as a member of the Lodi Planning Board.  The public should demand that the town of Secaucus and the State release all records pertaining to  Lodi's Deputy Mayor and what has transpired with his business. 

Joseph Lagana Gets All of His Campaign Contributions from Lobbyists, "Consultants", Special Interest Groups (Teacher Unions) and Those Receiving Public Contracts. Then He Uses that Money to Pay for His Regular Trips to the Borgata and Restaurants Near His Home and Work. He Funds the Political Campaigns of Politicians Who in Turn Award Contracts to "Cleary Giacobbe". His Entire Campaign is About Self-Enrichment and Pay-to-Play.

 

Link to January 15, 2025 filing of Joseph Lagana:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tj2Xji1mmvH4cvcVaoHq9Wuu0E9z66Pi/view?usp=sharing

"The articles of impeachment also say Platkin acted unlawfully by taking over the Paterson Police Department, failed to uphold state statutes in court, and mishandled legal responses to the pandemic and a rape accusation involving Gov. Murphy’s campaign staffers. It also argues he targeted pro-life pregnancy centers because of his alliance with Planned Parenthood."

Link to more information on the Articles of Impeachment introduced against Platkin:

https://www.njassemblygop.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=707

Northjersey.com Shows a Proposed $1,545,184 Increase (3.82%) in State Aid for Lodi Schools...

 

Matt Platkin is An Overpaid Woke Activist With Quite a Losing Streak...

Link to past posts on Platkin:

http://lodioverhaul.blogspot.com/search?q=Platkin&max-results=20&by-date=true

With Platkin's political connections and losing record, he has a good resume to become partner at Matthew Giacobbe's firm. Maybe he can apply there in a few months when he is out of a job.

The Mafia Running Lodi Borough Hall Really Needs to Stop Weaponizing Government...

Link to video:

https://www.facebook.com/Lodi07644

People don't like double standards and people don't like hypocrites. Keep taking your orders from nasty Karen Viscana, continue to embarrass yourselves, and continue to pay.

Past posts on the subject:

http://lodioverhaul.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-lodi-mayor-and-council-weaponized.html

http://lodioverhaul.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-residents-are-also-alleging-free.html

http://lodioverhaul.blogspot.com/2024/05/double-standards-imposed-by-lodi.html

Nobody Can Tell You When Mayor Scott Luna's Sister Actually Works in Lodi Borough Hall But that Wouldn't Affect a 27% Pay Raise Before the February 11th Resolution...

Recently, Many on Social Media Have Been Questioning Why Matt Platkin Had Participated in NJEA "Screenings" with Sean Spiller and Why Sean Spiller Was Never Charged with Stealing Benefits and Stipends as Montclair Mayor.

 

Matt Platkin charged part-time Wildwood officials with fraudulently attaining benefits but protected Sean Spiller for doing the same:

Lodi By The Numbers: Search results for Platkin wildwood

The NJEA link being shared with Spiller next to Platkin lists Debra Kwapniewski as participating (observer for Bergen County) in the “screening” to endorse Phil Murphy in 2021:

NJEA PAC endorses Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021 Democratic Primary - New Jersey Education Association

At the time that Kwapniewski was participating in these NJEA activities, she was being paid by the Lodi taxpayers for the entire school year for some medical leave.  During that fully paid “leave”, she sold her house in Lodi and purchased a home in Ontario County, New York.  She was able to sell her house in Lodi and relocate to Ontario County.  She was able to participate in NJEA meetings.  And she was paid by the Lodi taxpayers for an entire school year not to work. Debra Kwapniewski's brother, August Defalco, was BOE President Nancy Cardone's campaign treasurer at the time of this arrangement. The NJEA funded their campaigns.

NJEA corruption costs New Jersey taxpayers' big money and it has destroyed public education.

 

There Has Been an Aggressive and Coordinated Effort to Remove this Blog from Lodi to Trenton...

Google has now "permanently removed" this blog twice and reinstated it twice upon appeal.

Linked below is "Lodi By The Numbers" on Truth Social where you can read recent posts, payroll, bills, etc.

https://truthsocial.com/@ryancurioni

January 2025 Payroll for Lodi Borough Hall...

 

Link to January 15^th Payroll:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j75zePa0oTQPQqaugHFgcHzbCTUpgq-s/view?usp=sharing

Link to January 30^th Payroll:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JSxfTihptDe0-u2eloePpsSFUJmeMv1W/view?usp=sharing

January 2025 Bills for the Lodi Mayor and Council...

 

Link to January Bills:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ANWNrIVNdBB40wMWJXqa9OfghqBS1k5V/view?usp=sharing

January 2025 Resolutions of the Lodi Mayor and Council...

 Please download these attachments from the links below:

• f5d377ff-62025594126_Resolution_25-01_Fire_Prevention_Fee_Duplication_Refund.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594126_Resolution_25-10_LOSAP_Increase_2025.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594126_Resolution_25-09_Condemnation_Investigation.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594126_Resolution_25-08_Cheerleading_Commissioner_Lucena.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594126_Resolution_25-02_Solar_Permit_Refunds_Sunrun.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594127_Resolution_25-03_Bergen_County_HIP.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594125_Resolution_25-05_2025_Temporary_Budget_Appropriations.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594127_Resolution_25-04_Mantilla_Veterans_Tax.pdf
• f5d377ff-62025594126_Resolution_25-06_Redevelopment_Attorney_Decotiis.pdf