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School Budget Vote Today

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Power of Ten Update

Vote Today:

The Budget Revote will be held today, Tuesday, June 18.

For info on registration, polling places, etc., go to www.poweroften.us/voting-info.

The administration is saying that if this budget is voted down, there will be no sports at all next year, among other extremely serious cuts. They are also saying that the ‘yes’ budget contains uncertainty and that they will reduce the spending amount if they don’t get certain revenue sources.

Uncertainty about the actual result of the ‘yes’ vote, along with a feeling of being abused and manipulated, and a looming collision with state regulators has many of those who have always supported school budgets thinking they may stay home or even vote ‘no’.

However, the threat of losing essential programs such as AP classes and sports may bring out many new ‘yes’ voters.  A documentary film has been produced regarding the impact of cuts to sports programs

Meanwhile, vote “NO” signs have been going up in the ultra-orthodox neighborhoods where the majority of the ‘NO’ vote usually comes from.

There has been a spirited debate among public school supporters, I have chosen two well written pieces to represent each point of view:

Vote “NO” on the ERCSD Budget – by Carole Anderson

Discrimination is alive and well in the ERCSD.  The superintendent and school board have totally disregarded the Supreme Court Decision of Brown vs the Bd. of Education of Topeka, Ks. which put an end to segregation in the public schools.  They have cut public school programs to the bones and haven’t made any cuts to the non-public schools.  In order to save public education in ER we must take a stand and force Cuomo and King to put their big pants on and take over ER.  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!  Our children deserve better!

 Please Vote “YES” on Tuesday – by Stephen Price

To everyone that wants to vote “No”, you should know that there is likely no one that understands your frustrations better than I do. You are correct to feel as you do. But, unfortunately we cannot afford to vent frustrations. I am still hoping and encouraging everyone to vote “Yes”.

A defeated budget will not force the State to act. But, it will give Dr. Joel St Klein and the BOE more opportunities to delude themselves that everyone else caused this disaster. The District debt is still growing and no amount of State Aid, lottery spin up or building sales will turn that around any time soon. If the budget passes, then the usual spin will not work. Instead, the blame will fall squarely on Dr. St Klein when he later has to make more cuts because he gambled and lost on the lottery spin-up and the sale of Colton.

Let’s pass the budget and then hold Dr. St Klein and then BOE accountable before the Governor and the Commissioner. Please vote “Yes” on Tuesday!

 Message from the Editor

You can tell from the thoughtful and passionate essays above that our diverse community does have many people who care about ALL of the children. That spirit that made our schools among the best in the nation is still here. East Ramapo votes at a higher rate than any other district.  Our students are conducting massive non-violent protests.  We have garnered steady media attention from local, regional, and national sources. We have petitioned Albany with hundreds of calls and emails. We have filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court.  Justice is coming to East Ramapo, and WE can make it happen!

Steve White, editor

 

5-10-12

Posted on
Power of Ten Update
In this edition:
  1. Emergency Budget Meeting TODAY at Ramapo High School regarding school safety
  2. Neighbor to Neighbor program celebrates public AND private school talent!
  3. How to help with the May 15 election
  4. Message from the editor
1) Emergency Budget Meeting TODAY at Martin Luther King Center
The Concerned Citizens of East Ramapo, are having an Emergency Budget Meeting and Voter Registration at the Martin Luther King Center 110 Bethune Blvd in Spring Valley Thurs May 10th (TONIGHT!) from 6:30pm-9pm.
If you are not already aware of the cuts that face our community, we have eliminated all Elementary Level Assistant Principals, half of the HS Assistant Principals, 3 Guidance Counselors, and 11 of 12 Social Workers in our schools along with some HS ESL services for our most fragile populations. There are many other cuts of concern that pose many questions of our children’s safety and hope for a future that a quality education would otherwise provide.

 

2) Neighbor to Neighbor program event celebrates public AND private school talent!

Saturday, May 12, 7 PM, Green Meadow School, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977

A celebration of our wonderful local talent, featuring performers from Green Meadow, Spring Valley High School and other East Ramapo public schools

A public-private collaboration in support of our public schools and neighbors

Find out how education in our district’s public schools is being affected by budget cuts and how Green Meadow’s Neighbor to Neighbor programs have been reaching out to public school students and their families

3) How to help with the May 15 Election
Are you doing everything you can do to help with the election? Of course you can spread the word to your contacts, neighbors, etc. What else can you do? Here are some ideas:
  1. Go to www.poweroften.us and sign up for the online phone bank. Start making calls, right from home!
  2. Get a list of voters in your area and pay them a visit. It can be a very enriching experience to have a meaningful conversation with your neighbors about the value of public education. Email Michael Miller at miller66@optonline.net to volunteer for the Get out the Vote effort.
  3. Donate to the campaign at www.ccoer.com
  4. Help on election day! Call 845 354 5809 or email at concernedcitizensofeastramapo@gmail.com for info on how to help!
4) Message from the editor
You may have heard the polarization that is occurring in East Ramapo referred to as ‘public school vs. private school’. This is not really an accurate way to describe the situation, as there are many private school parents who do care about the education that students receive in public school. The neighbor to neighbor event on Saturday promises to be one of those moments when the celebration of diversity shows us a path to a better future. I urge everyone to come out and see how beautiful our diverse community can be when the public and private school students are encouraged to work together as peers. – Steve White, editor