East Ramapo Mismanagement Continues Unabated, Anti-Defamation League Supports Monitor Bill

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. School Board loses another lawsuit
2. ADL Supports Monitor Bill
3. NY Senators Need to Hear from YOU!

1) School Board loses another lawsuit

New York’s highest court has ruled against the East Ramapo board in their lawsuit against the NY State Education Department. The school board was cited by the education department for unlawfully placing students in private schools at public expense on August 27, 2010. They were notified again on December 23, 2010, and again on March 29, 2011. They were cited again August 23, 2011 and again on May 24, 2012 and again on December 19, 2012.

On April 12, 2013 the school board sued the education department. On December 20, 2013, the NY state Supreme Court ruled against the school board. Despite the court finding that the board had “wholly failed to meet its burden”, the board decided to sue again in the appellate court.

All of these expensive lawsuits were against a state agency enforcing federal law designed to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment, recklessly using funds taken from the education of children.

The board continued its reckless course even while the fiscal monitor, Hank Greenberg was conducting his inquiry and even while Assembly Members Jaffee and Zebrowski and Senator Carlucci were writing the bill for a monitor, and even while they were lobbying Albany that they did not need more oversight!!!

The complete disregard for US law and the regulations of the NY State Education Department are proof that oversight without veto power is completely ignored by this board. The remedy proposed by Mr. Greenberg represents an absolute minimum. There is no more time to lose. Action is needed immediately!

2) ADL Supports Monitor Bill

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today issued its support of an oversight monitor for East Ramapo, indicating that the legislation will be an important first step in restoring trust in the community.

3) NY Senators Need to Hear from YOU!

The Senate Education Committee has not scheduled any more meetings, and so it will be the Senate Rules Committee which can place the Monitor Bill on the calendar.

Now is the time to write the Senators and urge them to pass the bill!

Follow this link to send a message Today!!!