More than 140 Lakewood public school staff have received RICE notices, which means their jobs are in jeopardy.
The public schools, reportedly, yesterday were devastated with teachers and staff understandably crying, shocked, and wondering what the “end game” is? Some teachers spoken to by TLS stated that the schools “resembled a funeral.”
TLS contacted renowned education attorney Michael Inzelbuch, who stated:
“I have been contacted by no less than 30 staff, a travesty to the children and staff, and I suggest:
1. All staff should attend the upcoming May 8th meeting.
2. All staff should ask to have their jobs discussed in PUBLIC – not closed session. YOU must write an email to Superintended Laura Winters ( [email protected]) by this Friday. Follow up with a fax (732- 905-3687). Ask Superintendent Winters what the basis for you losing your job is (besides the district being “broke” ) and why you were “bumped” as opposed to others? Ask her for the analysis completed in who received a RICE and who did not (see below).
3. Do NOT only rely on the LEA to speak on your behalf. YOU have a job to keep. YOU have students who need YOU!!!
4. Prior to the May 8 meeting, ask to see your personnel file. Review your file. Ask for copies of any reviews/evaluations as to your performance. Bring to meeting.”
“Stay strong. DO not falter. DO not believe anything nor anyone as to your job. “
Inzelbuch lastly stated that he will have more information later today.
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SAMPLE
BY email ( [email protected]) and Fax (732-905- 3687 ) ( Then call Joanne Szamba and confirm receipt of both )
Dear Ms. Winters:
I, ___ (insert your full legal name) ____________, would like my positon and status discussed in public at the Board meeting.
Also, please provide me with information how I can review my personnel file and obtain copies of all my reviews / evaluations prior to the Board meeting.
Also, please advise in writing what method was utilized to RIF people and was there a “pecking order” as to who would receive RICE notices (and who would not ) .
Also, please provide all information utilized to determine that I have no job for next year and/or why I received a RCE notice based on my certificates, experience, etc.
Also, please provide a review of my certificates, experience, etc. or anything that was accomplished prior to you deciding that I was to receive a RICE notice.
Lastly, please provide a letter of recommendation for me to utilize should I not have a job next year in Lakewood.
Thank you
INSERT Your NAME ADDRESS PHONE # CELL # EMAIL
Bring back Michael!
Very sad. The entire Lakewood community owes public school children better.
what do you mean by the entire community owes the public school?
As far as I know I pay over 12,000 in property tax and almost all of that goes to the schools here. Many in this town don’t even send to the public schools yet we pay plenty and get very little in return.
By owes, I don’t mean money, but rather that we have a moral and ethical obligation. We should care about the education of all children both public and private.
what about the teachers who have given everything and have worked three years and are getting bumped because their not tenured. it means losing your job!! its terrifying its so so stressful. the mother who is probably bringing more money then her husband by being a teacher now has to spend her summer/vacation sending resumes out and taking interviews. that stinks!
I think this is a big mistake for lakewood. While the public schools may save some money, crime will increase due to the drop outs, due to the large classes, and the lack of after hours programs.
I hope lakewood doesnt learn this too late.
I believe there should be a ONE time, 10% extra property tax to cover these issues as a stop gap so we can ensure proper staffing for the district.
you are out of your mind
Not sure what you mean by “stop gap”. The issue will keep re-incurring UNLESS THE FORMULA IS CHANGED (all caps to make sure everyone gets it). The problem is the state funding formula and until it is changed, Lakewood’s public schools will have a financial crisis.
Every time a new house is built in Lakewood, state aid goes down (because the property value of the town’s real eststae went up but no more kids were added to the public school). In other towns, when new houses are built, it generally won’t cause state aid to go down (because a new house usually means more kids in the public school).
We Do Not owe the public school nothing i pay 13000 a year taxes and they dont even clean the street. and for some reason around public schools the roads are spotless and some are even new, why ? almost nobody that pays tax sends their !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Close it let them all send to private schools TRUMP!!!!!
Wow! Did you go to school?
Obviously he hates school, look at that grammar.
Wow, that’s all I can say Jack
Laura Winter’s email address is now [email protected]
Actually, ALL DISTRICT EMAILS now end in @lakewoodpiners.org
Great Job Micheal and your not even our boss yet. Just remember when you are and this continues each year with Rice notices not to blow us off and tell us to sit down. Once again today Thank You
Thanks for the advice Mr. Inzelbuch- just sent an email to Laura & Jo-Ann…
my wife used to be a teacher Jo-Ann is the nicest person hope all ends well
We all know the problems in Lakewood and the causes that have developed. This is not an ethnicity problem, it’s a problem of too much development in too little span of time. Its unfortunate this effects people who are not responsible for the mess Lakewood created for itself. If property taxes aren’t adequate, the tax levy needs to be increased to support the educational and public works of the municipality. Ocean County and State governments aren’t responsible. Lakewood governing body is. Do an audit and find a solution. If it can’t, let the state take over and run Lakewood with state employees and abolish hometown rule.
RICE IS DIFFERENT THAN RIF. Couldn’t the RICE mean they are discussing rehiring??