Administrative Buffoonery: Massachusetts Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy

Wilfredo Laboy, Superintendent of public schools in Lawrence, Massachusetts, likes to spend the taxpayers money in some rather unusual ways. So unusual, in fact, that he has attracted the interest of Inspector General Gregory Sullivan, who is looking into Mr. Laboy's spending habits during the last several years.

These were the three expenditures that drew all the attention:

• $269 for a remote control starter in his city-provided vehicle, a Chevrolet Trailblazer
• $490 for running boards that were installed on his trailblazer
• He bought six Blackberry wireless devices for $500 each, with $85 monthly subscription services, but Laboy doesn't use them, because, he says, "They were too technical or too cumbersome."

Like many public school superintendents, (and unlike any public school teachers) Laboy gets the "perk" of a district-provided vehicle.

We would like to offer Mr. Laboy a solution to his problem. (We know it's a solution, because it works for the rest of us.) The solution is this: Buy your own vehicle out of your salary like the rest of us that work in public schools. Then you can accessorize it as you wish, without worrying about troublesome people like the Inspector General questioning your need to have a remote start or running boards.

There. We put it in language that even Laboy can understand.

As for the Blackberrys, maybe Laboy can enroll in an evening class on how to use them at his nearest DeVry Technical Institute. Or if he doesn't want to do that, he can read the interesting novel that was enclosed with each of the devices.

It's a Spanish story, about a guy named "Manuel."

Here at the 'Wonks, we like to keep an eye on those that bring disgrace or dishonor to the Education Craft. We will continue to do so.

Mortarboard Tip: Jay Tea of Wizbang!

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