Ethics Answer: Debra Kwapniewski V Ryan Curioni 5r2h1k

Answer to Complaint Paragraphs 1 and 2.

1.

I agree with paragraphs 1 and 2. I am aware that Ms. K is very active in the Lodi

Education Association (LEA), the Bergen County Education Association (BCEA) and the NJEA.

Paragraph 3

2.

Ms. K did receive her position in 2001 via patronage. Her brother August Defalco sat on

the Lodi Board of Education in the 1990s. He was the campaign manager for the “machine ticket” in the 1999 board election. He served as campaign manager in following years when there were contested races. His bulk mail permit (No. 35) appeared on every campaign mailing up until 2007 (maybe even later). August Defalco was hired in the Lodi schools as “District Technology Coordinator” shortly before his sister was hired as pre-k teacher.

3.

In my 36 years, I have never seen an elementary teaching position d in Lodi. If

a position is not d, if there is no competition, and someone is hired for their campaign activity, that by definition is “patronage”. There may be nepotism and patronage all over, but Lodi is in a class of its own.

4.

At the June 28, 2017 board of education meeting, I recommended advertising all

positions, and not just Math and Science. I pointed out that Lodi has never d an elementary teaching position. I named some Bergen County districts that do elementary positions and those districts are performing well. Ms. K, Councilwoman Patricia Licata, and some union activists heckled me for saying that.

5.

Ms. K engages in dirty tactics on behalf of Lodi’s political “machine” whether it be for a

mayor and council election or board of education election. She has become even more aggressive in recent years with Emil Carafa as mayor and Jonathan Carafa as a member of the Lodi Board of Education. Ms. K is employed at Washington School where Lodi Mayor Emil Carafa is principal. Ms. K tells a story to Washington School parents that she ran a day care out of her house and Emil Carafa recruited her to teach at his school. The two have been long time friends and share many common interests, most notably their political patronage system and their dirty campaigns.

6.

“Debbie Downer” is an SNL skit. I was unaware that I couldn’t use any humor on a

personal blog.

Paragraph 4 7.

I don’t believe it’s the SEC’s role to investigate the expression: “If you can read, thank a

teacher. If you can’t thank a teacher’s union.” There is a difference between a public school and a union hall. 8.

I never said anything negative towards the Lodi Education Association until May 24,

2017. On May 24th from about 6 pm to 6:45 pm, Councilwoman Licata led a protest outside of my house and my business. In Ms. Licata’s answer to the SEC (arguing why her complaint isn’t frivolous), she wrote: “The LEA arranged the demonstrations and locations.” That is Ms. K’s role within the LEA. 9.

I am not on negotiations and I always had a good relationship with Lodi teachers. I had

many Lodi teachers my campaign because my platform included giving everyone a fair

opportunity at promotions, taking politics out of the workplace, and improving working conditions at the middle school and high school. There was no reason to demonstrate at my house. Ms. K and Councilwoman Licata organized demonstrations only at two ’ houses (there are currently 8 ). Al Mastrofilipo’s house was the location of the other demonstration. Mr. Mastrofilipo and I ran independently in the last board race against the “machine”.

Paragraph 5 10.

I never posted false information about “fee paying ”. I was a public school

Math teacher for 5 years and have a full understanding of union dues. Ms. K may be referring to this article that I posted (Exhibit A) on May 23rd.

11.

Ms. K spoke during the hearing of the citizens on May 24, 2017. She introduced herself

by saying, “I am here from the NJEA.” She then went on to attack me for posting Exhibit A on my personal blog.

12.

After Ms. K spoke, Principal/Mayor Emil Carafa attacked me for posting on my personal

blog. I found it inappropriate that two school employees would spend their time discussing a personal bstead of discussing real issues facing the district.

13.

When I went to respond to the attacks, Ms. K and Mr. Carafa led the union to

first turn their backs to me and then walk out of the room.

14.

At the previous regular meeting (April 26th), I voted to remove Jonathan Carafa from the

board of education because he went four months without attending a meeting because he said he

was “working”. Mr. Carafa and Ms. K clearly used the union to target me one month after I voted to remove the mayor’s son for chronic absenteeism.

15.

I don’t believe it’s the SEC’s role to investigate alleged statements about “fee paying

” and union dues.

Paragraph 6

16.

Lodi residents are constantly asking me why Ms. K attacks me at meetings and organizes

protests outside my house and business when I am not even on negotiations. I explain to them that it’s all about politics, not negotiations. The picture of the lawn signs is just ing evidence. Ms. K is not only active in Lodi politics. She works very hard on behalf of the Bergen County Democratic Organization and their candidates, whether it be for freeholder, state senate and assembly, governor, congress, U.S. senate or president. Ms. K has disdain for me because I am an independent and have expressed some conservative views.

Paragraph 7

17.

Prior to ing the board, I had commented on the inequitable distribution of the teacher

salary guide. Starting teachers start lower than most districts and at 15 years are higher than most. Teachers were receiving a $17,000 raise from Step 14 to Step 15. Raises were being absorbed by teachers at the top. Ms. K complains at meetings about starting salaries as though she isn’t responsible for that.

Paragraphs 8 and 9

18.

I am not on the negotiations committee for the teachers’ contract. I have no knowledge

of what has taken place during negotiations since I ed the board on January 4, 2017. I never disclosed any confidential information about negotiations. I don’t have that information.

19.

The salaries I posted were either from the 2016-2017 school budget or 2017-2018 school

budget. The business put together the budgets and the school board approved them. They are public information. Everyone has the right to see them. Ms. K is aware of this because multiple posts state that the figures are from the budgets and even list the budget pages. Attached is Exhibit B.

Paragraph 10 20.

I am posting accurate information on a personal blog. It is my first amendment right and

allowed by the Lodi Board of Education by-laws. I have exposed bad behavior by Ms. K in her roles as political activist and union bully. I have not discussed anything confidential or related to her performance as a pre-k teacher.

Conclusion

I am asking that Ms. K be fined for filing a frivolous complaint due to the following:

a. Ms. K is a close personal friend of Councilwoman Patricia Licata and a big political backer of Board President Dominic Miller. All three filed frivolous ethics complaints against me within a one month period. All three complaints were about my personal blog. All three individuals could have filed one complaint together. Their political group

organized these complaints in an attempt to overwhelm me with paperwork, hoping that I will ultimately resign from the board.

b. Everything Ms. K does is political in nature. She has been targeting the two new board because we are reforming things and demanding ability. Her close personal and working relationship with Lodi Mayor Emil Carafa cannot be ignored.

c. Ms. K used NJEA law firm “Oxfeld” to file a frivolous complaint which is more about suppressing free speech (against the abuses of the NJEA) than it is about anything related to the board of education or our schools. Both parties are aware that the SEC’s role is not to investigate the expression, “If you can read, thank a teacher. If you can’t, thank a teacher’s union.”

d. Ms. K’s complaint against Trustee Mastrofilipo is completely baseless and only intended to tarnish his image before the November 7, 2017 election. She even stooped as low as to mention Mr. Mastrofilipo’s young children, students in the Lodi schools.

ING CERTIFICATIQN I, Ryan Curioni, of ful! age, certify as follows: 1. I am of the Lodi Board of Education and a Respondent in this matter.

2. I have read the Verified Answer to which this ing Certification is attached and the responses set forth therein are true unless expressly stated as based upon information and belief. 3. 1 ce11ify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me. are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.

Dated: August 6, 2017

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Lodi by the Numbers: Teachers deserve more money in their pockets. ...

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Lodi by the Numbers Tuesday, May 23, 2017

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"The New Jersey Education Association spends about 15 to 20 percent of its nearly 200,000 ' dues on political activities, such as campaign donations and lobbying," Jedynak wrote in the letter to the Daily Record. "Hut while union leadership may the causes and politicians these donations benefit, not all may agree. This violates the First Amendment, which protects the free speech and free association of everyone, union member or not." "Have you ever looked at your union dues and thought it was a lot of money? Do you wonder what you get for that amount? Are you uncomfortable ing certain political ideologies that your union s? You may live in New Jersey, but you still have options to reduce the costs associated with union hip and be freed from ing the union political agenda, "Jedynak wrote in the letter

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Lodi by the Numbers: Teachers deserve more money in their pockets. ...

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sent to teachers. That letter also outlines how teachers can opt out of the payments, stating that annual N.JEA hip fees amount to $840.

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Link to article from August 2016: https://www.usatoday.com/storylnews/2016108121/njea-advocacy-group-spar-overparsippany-union-dues/8899065 61

This post is not anti-teacher in any way. Teachers should know how much of their paycheck goes towards union dues and how that money is spent. When I was paying union dues, I did not approve of the lavish living of the union big wigs. I didn't approve of all the money going towards political candidates I didn't . I didn't approve of all the money going towards causes that had nothing to do with education. There is a lot of discussion about employees bringing home less today than years ago. Unions should acknowledge this and take less from it's . Posted by RC at 8:12 PM

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Lodi Board of Education School District Detail Budget 2016-2017 School Year SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS

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Line Description

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SALARIES OF PRE-K TEACHERS 20-218-100-101-13 CARAF A, BARBARA KWAPNIEWSKI, DEBRA LEONE, GAETANA SAMPERI, MICHELE SANTOS, FRANCINE 20-218-100-101-23 Substitutes SUB TOT AL SALARIES OF PRE-K TEACHERS SALARIES OF PRE-K AIDES ANNUZZI, ELIZABETH BENANTI, CHRISTINE FRONTAURIA, ROS ANNE MANZETTI, ANTOINETTE MARTIN, JANINE Substitutes SUB TOTAL SALARIES OF PRE-K AIDES

Years of Service Degree

15 15 20

15 23

BA MA+30 BA MA+30 MA+30

Amount$

15 15 15 15 15

$88,134 $95,886 $91,334 $95,886 $99,086 $10,885 $481,211

20-218-100-106-13

20-218-100-106-14

$18,223 $18,223 $18,223 $18,223 $18,223 $3,306 $94,421

GENERAL SUPPLIES - PRE-K

20-218-100-600-13

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - PRE-K Benefits for employees TOTAL PRESCHOOL EDUCATION AID

20-218-200-200-00

NON-PUB. TEXTBOOKS

20-501-100-640-12

$9,999

CH: 192 TUITION COMP ED STUDENTS

20-502-100-560-00

$32,002

CH: 192 TUITION ESL STUDENTS

20-503-100-560-00

$2,200

$11,120

$71,065 $657,817

NON-PUB AUX SERVICES

$34,202

CH: 193 TUIT EXAM & CLASS STUDENTS

20-507-100-560-00

$16,955

CH: 193 TUITION CORR SPEECH

20-508-100-560-00

$711

CH: 193 TUITION SUPP INST STUDENTS

20-506-100-560-00

$15,149

NON-PUB HANDICAP SERVICES

$32,815

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