The Board of Education last night made a motion to sue State Monitor Michael Azzara in court after he overrode the Board’s vote that would have awarded services to a particular service provider, as reported late last night on our news alerts.
Despite a report which found “deficiencies” in the Catapult service provider, the attorney for the Board of Education agreed that the Board would be allowed to award a contract of IDEA services for the 2015-2016 school year, officials said.
Following an announcement by the Board to award the contract, the dozens of employees and others present broke out in a round of applause in support of the Board’s decision.
But moments later, State Monitor Michael Azzara announced that he’s overriding the Board’s decision, rejecting the contract.
The announcement prompted Board Vice President Menachem Friedman to make a motion to sue Azzara, and the motion passed with the support of the Board.
“It’s the first time we’re actually suing the State Monitor in court,” a Board official told TLS.
[TLS]
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Who pays for this lawsuit?
Why would the boe sue to help a private business?
Catapult can afford to sue by themselves
The suit is not about Catapult; it is about the 150 students who will not receive services. How ironic that Azzara, who is hired to make sure that things run smoothly and appropriately, does not have the interests of the students/children of Lakewood in mind. If he did he would find a way to create a smooth transition in which the kids would not be the victims of Catapult losing its contract.
If he does successfully override the Board’s decision, the children of Lakewood will have (at least temporarily) no school to attend. This would be grossly neglected on his end, specifically because he could have done this back in January not in July/August. Over the months of June-August the vendors hire teachers for the coming year, prepare curriculum with the new employees, teach them company protocol, review each student with the prospective teachers, place book and material orders and make many other preparations to ensure that the optimal education is in place for each child. These are daunting, tedious, and time-consuming tasks. ‘
Firstly, another vendor would not physically be able to take that all on for 150 students the day before school starts. It means they need to find and hire 50-75 new employees, teach them everything from scratch etc. Imagine opening a complex business and hiring and training 75 employees the day before opening! It is impossible.
Secondly, by doing this the State of NJ (via Azzara) is essentially withholding these Lakewood kids from obtaining an education. I see that as reasonable grounds for a law-suit against the State of NJ
Moreover, this whole “We gotcha!” attitude is deplorable. It would be a lot more effective if rather than trying to catch companies on their paperwork deficiencies the State monitors and auditors would take a collaborative approach.
It would be much more effective for them to come in and say, “This is where things need to be rectified, here are some ways that it can be done. Come back next week with it rectified and we will see if it was done properly or it still needs more tweaking.”
This approach would cause less panic, and allow the companies to focus on actually educating the children (anyone remember that that’s what we all set out to do???)
Is Azzara allowed to override that vote too or is that considered a conflict of interest??
Goverment and delays no suprises. Maybe this guy is giving us a hard pill to swallow and the contract has to really be modified to be compliant to certain standards or ensure proper services. Doesn’t mention what defiencies are?
Knock yourself out BOE!!!
I detest that Azzara overrode what the Board did. That said, the BOE should make alternative arrangements in case the suit is not successful. From a legal perspective, it is very very very difficult to win such a suit.
Can anyone explain in detail why he vetoed, all I’m reading are subjective comments with little substance,azzara came to town to cut pork barrel spending by and large it seems he is doing his job……..,
Our anger is misguided
This cold hearted was sent by Trenton politicians who we voted in.
We need to vote these people out of office together with their cold hearted (moderated) Azzara
This Azzara guy definitely seems out to “get” this community, no matter how you slice it. As “What Shaychis” mentioned, where was the man until last night????? I guess you can’t really blame him, it must have really stung watching all those boys going back to Yeshiva yesterday.
Why did he not allow the contract? Was it because it was not a good one?
I agree with lakewooder. What were the deficiencies? Article appears to be missing pieces.
Here is why Catapult can’t sue. Because they have no standing in the case. Not receiving a contract, particularly if the paper work was not in order is not grounds to sue.
The BOE on the other hand, can sue , as Azarra’s veto will cause damage to the students in their care.
thank you to all the board members for having the courage to finally stand up! we the teachers thank you and the parents and of course the kids!! thanks