As The Lakewood Scoop reported here last Friday, Board Of Ed Attorney Michael Inzelbuch was granted a $50/hour raise, bringing it to a total of $250/hour. The app is now reporting the story with some more detail. School Board Attorney Michael Inzelbuch received a 25 percent raise last week, igniting ire among some as the district prepares for further staff layoffs and faces a voter-rejected tax-rate increase. The Board of Education voted unanimously April 29 to increase Inzelbuch's pay from $200 to $250 per hour, although afterward several members complained of not having enough information to vote intelligently. "I was duped,'' said Jonathan Silver, who was elected this year on a platform of fiscal responsibility. He added that he voted for the raise largely to avoid confrontation during his first board meeting … something he now regretted. He and others claim that the vote on the appointments and re-appointments of more than a dozen professionals and consultants at the reorganization meeting was rushed and the agenda vague. For example, there was no comparison listed of Inzelbuch's previous fees to show the increase. "I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't aware,'' member Leonard Thomas said by phone this week. "To say the least, with some of the challenges the board is having and the staffing problems, I am a little discouraged that there was a raise at this time.'' Despite the large increase, Inzelbuch's fees remain below those of other attorneys hired by the district, some of whom are charging $400 per hour or more. Yet the one other firm that vied for Inzelbuch's job offered to do it for about $200 an hour. "When you're laying off teachers, it's preposterous that something like that would be approved,'' said Bill Hobday, a senior resident. "Sacrifices need to be made at the top of the ladder, too,'' said NAACP leader Jim Waters. You can read the entire article here.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Inzelbuch Raise Continues To Make News
As The Lakewood Scoop reported here last Friday, Board Of Ed Attorney Michael Inzelbuch was granted a $50/hour raise, bringing it to a total of $250/hour. The app is now reporting the story with some more detail. School Board Attorney Michael Inzelbuch received a 25 percent raise last week, igniting ire among some as the district prepares for further staff layoffs and faces a voter-rejected tax-rate increase. The Board of Education voted unanimously April 29 to increase Inzelbuch's pay from $200 to $250 per hour, although afterward several members complained of not having enough information to vote intelligently. "I was duped,'' said Jonathan Silver, who was elected this year on a platform of fiscal responsibility. He added that he voted for the raise largely to avoid confrontation during his first board meeting … something he now regretted. He and others claim that the vote on the appointments and re-appointments of more than a dozen professionals and consultants at the reorganization meeting was rushed and the agenda vague. For example, there was no comparison listed of Inzelbuch's previous fees to show the increase. "I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't aware,'' member Leonard Thomas said by phone this week. "To say the least, with some of the challenges the board is having and the staffing problems, I am a little discouraged that there was a raise at this time.'' Despite the large increase, Inzelbuch's fees remain below those of other attorneys hired by the district, some of whom are charging $400 per hour or more. Yet the one other firm that vied for Inzelbuch's job offered to do it for about $200 an hour. "When you're laying off teachers, it's preposterous that something like that would be approved,'' said Bill Hobday, a senior resident. "Sacrifices need to be made at the top of the ladder, too,'' said NAACP leader Jim Waters. You can read the entire article here.
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9 comments:
Silver is getting the job done.
Good work Yoni and the LAC
silver was duped? or is he just a dope?
One thing Silver has managed to accomplish in his first days is to double-talk on why he screwed up.
First he claimed he was "duped" which means he had no clue. Then he says he was scared to get "confrontational" which means he DID know.
This kid doesn't understand that he can't have it both ways. We realize he's inexperienced, but at least he should try not coming across as plain stupid.
Doesn’t he understand that being a BOE member is a serious responsibility?? Platform/Shmatform.. Let’s get someone real in there!
Anon 1:28,
I don't understand what your problem is. He was "duped" in that it was never clarified at the meeting that reinstating MI included increasing his fee by $50 an hour.
He didn't want to be "confrontational" in that he didn't demand a full explanation of every detail of MI's contract.
It is his first couple of days on the job, give him a break. He was man enough to admit a mistake. Would you rather have the others who will continue business as usual "milking the BOE for personal benefit".
Also being that becoming a BOE member is a serious responsibility and you are obviously super qualified maybe you volunteer for this unpaid headache l'tovas ha'klall. Or all you know how to do is criticize others when they are trying to do their best.
In response to Anon 1:28:
I would like to add the people you are reffering too dont even have the decency to come out and vote never mind take on the headache of boe member.
Anon 1:28,
I voted. And I feel I was "duped" into voting for Silver. It's nice that he may be trying his best.. But if that's his best then we need someone better.
Pleading ignorance is no excuse for voting to spend taxpayer $$$ when your entire “platform” is to mitigate taxpayer expense.
Further, what do you mean by your statement "He didn't want to be "confrontational" in that he didn't demand a full explanation of every detail of MI's contract.” Are you ridiculous? All he needed to do was ask ONE question; What was his salary last year? Period.
I also don't see where he came out and admitted to a mistake BEFORE he was "caught" by TLS. At that point it was quite obvious that his so-called "platform" was just political rhetoric and he was left with no choice but to fess up..
Anon 2:12,
I voted. And I feel I was "duped" into voting for Silver. It's nice that he may be trying his best.. But if that's his best then we need someone better.
Pleading ignorance is no excuse for voting to spend taxpayer $$$ when your entire “platform” is to mitigate taxpayer expense.
Further, what do you mean by your statement "He didn't want to be "confrontational" in that he didn't demand a full explanation of every detail of MI's contract.” Are you ridiculous? All he needed to do was ask ONE question; What was his salary last year? Period.
I also don't see where he came out and admitted to a mistake BEFORE he was "caught" by TLS. At that point it was quite obvious that his so-called "platform" was just political rhetoric and he was left with no choice but to fess up..
Anon 3:50,
Never answered when you are going to your part in introducing fiscal responsibility apart from criticizing others.
Also, while sitting back and criticizing you yourself are employing the doublespeak you accuse Silver of.
On one hand you label him as "inexperienced" and disparagingly refer to him as "a kid". Then you accuse him of political chicanery and that he is politically savvy enough to have invented a platform to further his political career.
Don't YOU understand that YOU can't have it both ways.
P.S. I don't think Silver is "a kid" unless you are a real old bitter geezer. Also, I don't think Silver has any interest on being on the BOE beyond attempting to lower his/our taxes. So he is probably thankful to TLS for "catching him" because that is his only agenda.
Having someone on the BOE whose only interest is lowering taxes is asking for a big time Chilul Hashem and Sinas Yisroel
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