D’Agostino to go; Yeshiva loses Hillcrest lease

Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

  1. D’Agostino to go, but not soon enough!!!!
  2. Commissioner King Annuls Lease to Yeshiva Avir Yakov

1) D’Agostino to go, but not soon enough!!!

At the July 8 East Ramapo School Board meeting, called specially to deal with lawyer Chris Kirby’s notorious outbursts, the school board adjourned with a statement read by the board president, but took no action!!!

A rally was held prior to the meeting and during the executive session.

YouTube Videos of the Rally

The school board could have immediately terminated the contract with the law firm, as was done for previous counsel, but they did not.

They could have apologized to those who have been the victims of obscenities and bullying, but they did not.

Instead, they announced that D’Agostino had told them that he “may not have sufficient resources to service all of the legal needs of our district”.

The board president said that the “process” to “transition to other legal representation” would “begin immediately”.

The school board president never acknowledged that the actions of lawyers Kirby and D’Agostino were in violation of district policy.  NO ACTION was taken to enforce these policies.  It remains unclear what the board means when they say “immediately”.

News Coverage:

ABC News: School board to hire new lawyer after hostile exchange

NBC News: School Board Fires Lawyer After Expletive-Laced Tirade Caught on Video

The Journal News: East Ramapo to split with firm after lawyer’s profane outburst

The Journal News: East Ramapo to keep paying law firm until new one hired

The Journal News: Editorial: East Ramapo’s split with law firm won’t end woes

The Rockland County Times: D’Agostino Law Firm will be replaced

2) Commissioner King Annuls Lease to Yeshiva Avir Yakov:

New York State Education Commissioner King has upheld a petition filed by Robert Forrest in September of 2011 against the East Ramapo school district. Commissioner King annulled the lease of Hillcrest Elementary School to Congregation Yeshiva Avir Yakov of New Square.

It has been estimated that the lease was losing a half million dollars per year compared to what a competitive lease could have brought for East Ramapo students and taxpayers.

The Journal News: State education chief blocks East Ramapo school lease to yeshiva

The Rockland County Times: No Hillcrest Yeshiva

RESPECT Rally Monday July 8

Power of Ten Update

Reminder: Respect Rally Monday July 8

The Save Our Schools Coalition announces ‘Rally for Respect’, a Peaceful Protest in East Ramapo to demand immediate termination of the law firm D’Agostino and Minerva, and to request state intervention.

THE DETAILS:

Rally for RESPECT

Monday, July 8 at 6:45 PM

105 S. Madison Ave, Spring Valley, NY

The law firm of D’Agostino and Minerva was retained by the East Ramapo school board in 2008. Since then there have been numerous outbursts and unprofessional conduct on behalf of the lawyers, specifically Christopher Kirby and Albert D’Agostino. This latest incident took place July 2nd and was caught on film, the video can be seen here: http://youtu.be/qsOcR2mYKq0

The public is outraged by the actions of Chris Kirby and demand the law firm be terminated for their repeated disrespect toward the public school community. Local media and elected officials agree:

  • “These actions were reprehensible and uncalled for in their entirety and demonstrate a lack of professional conduct that should never be tolerated.” – Senator David Carlucci
  • “The ERCSD Board should terminate the contract with Minerva and D’Agostino now. They set a poor example for all of the students, public and private, in the East Ramapo School District.” – Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee
  • The Journal News: East Ramapo must fire outside counsel – now

We will also be expressing our desire for state intervention in our school district. Our school board can no longer provide what is fair for the public school students and it is up to governor Cuomo to intervene.

  • “State intervention is the only answer that I can see at this point. Only time will tell what the solution will be, but it looks pretty dire if it continues this way for East Ramapo and the community.” – Antonio Luciano, parent and videographer

Let’s make this a truly massive and meaningful rally! The theme is ‘RESPECT’.  Those with a creative impulse are invited to make signs that convey that message. The word ‘RESPECT’ should be featured. Please make every effort to attend, and bring as many people as you can!!!!

You can also join the event on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/330386417093071/

Send an email to Governor Cuomo, Assemblyman Zebrowski, and The NY State Bar Association, asking them to join the Journal News, Senator Carlucci, and Assemblywoman Jaffee in condemning the behavior of East Ramapo Lawyers: http://poweroften.us/about/fire-dagostino/

Justice is Coming to East Ramapo, and WE can make it happen!

Lawyer for East Ramapo Explodes with Obscenity and Hostility; Rally for Respect Monday

Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

  1. Lawyer for East Ramapo Explodes with Obscenity and Hostility!!!
  2. Rally for Respect Monday

1) Lawyer for East Ramapo Explodes with Obscenity and Hostility!!!

At the July 2 East Ramapo School Board meeting lawyer Chris Kirby interrupted a parent during the public speaking portion at the end of the meeting: http://youtu.be/x1P-BWF5X4s.

He then threatened to fight another parent (caution: this portion contains unedited profanity): http://youtu.be/qsOcR2mYKq0

This is now the sixth time that a lawyer from the firm of Minerva and D’Agostino has cursed at or threatened a parent or student.

News Coverage:

ABC News: Obscenities fly after school board meeting

The Journal News: East Ramapo must fire outside counsel – now

NY Daily News: East Ramapo district school board lawyer Christopher Kirby launches into profanity-laced tirade at parents

UK Daily Mail: Shocking video shows school’s attorney screaming obscenities in parking lot at mother who thought he had laughed at her special needs son at board meeting

2) Rally for Respect:

The whole of Rockland and beyond is reacting with shock at the continued abusive behavior of the East Ramapo School Board and their attorney. The Save Our Schools Coalition is calling for a non-violent protest immediately preceding the next school board meeting on Monday, July 8. Let’s make this a truly massive and meaningful rally! The theme is ‘RESPECT’.  Those with a creative impulse are invited to make signs that convey that message. The word ‘RESPECT’ should be featured. You can also join the event on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/330386417093071/

THE DETAILS:

Rally for RESPECT

Monday, July 8 at 6:45 PM

105 S. Madison Ave, Spring Valley, NY

Please make every effort to attend, and bring as many people as you can!!!!