2-14-13

Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

  1. Governor Cuomo comments on East Ramapo
  2. Rockland County Legislature to Honor East Ramapo Board Members
  3. Dept of Education warns district again on violations
  4. Message from the editor

1) Gov. Cuomo: NYSED will do the right thing:

Governor Cuomo was in a part of the East Ramapo School District on Tuesday, giving a speech recapping his State of the State address.

A number of East Ramapo parents, denied attendance at the event, stood outside with a banner reading “Save Our Schools”.

Reporters managed to get in a few questions, including one about East Ramapo.

His response – “They are under the state Education Department, which has great management and they’re looking at it and I’m sure they will do the right and proper thing,” puts the burden of correcting the situation squarely on the shoulders of State Education Commissioner King.

The Journal News: Cuomo overlooks East Ramapo activists

Newsday: Cuomo won’t step in to help East Ramapo

2) Rockland County Legislature to Honor East Ramapo Board Members:

Rockland County Legislator Joseph Meyers will honor two former members of the East Ramapo Central School District Board of Education, Stephen Price and Susan Young-Mercer, for their many years of service to the school district and the community in a ceremony that will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19th in the Legislature’s chambers at 11 New Hempstead Rd., New City, NY. There will also be a musical performance by East Ramapo student musicians. Both the ceremony and the meeting are open to the public.

When: Tuesday, February 19 at 6:30 PM

Where: 11 New Hempstead Rd, New City

3) NY State gives East Ramapo yet another warning to clean up their act:

The NY State Dept of Education has found the district in violation of Federal and State law regarding special education placements multiple times over the past 3 years.

The district has not corrected the violations.

The Journal News: State firm on E. Ramapo special education violations

Newsday: State officials again blast East Ramapo special ed practices

4) Message from the editor:

According to an interview in the Journal News, a school official says the “private school community” has not “felt comfortable” with placing the students in public school. It should be noted that many district parents who use private schools are not included in the group that school officials routinely call the “private school community” and do feel perfectly comfortable with having their children attend integrated schools. A public school official, whose salary is paid completely by public school dollars, is certainly not the appropriate person to be a a spokesperson for the “private school community”. Every public servant should be aware that when some people say “uncomfortable” what they mean is they want to receive a privilege based on their race, religion or ethnicity. It is the public servant’s duty to be a spokesperson for the civil rights of all.

If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired of the destruction of our schools – do something! Contribute to Advocates for Justice, the public interest, non-profit law firm which has filed a class action, civil rights lawsuit on behalf of the parents, students, and taxpayers. Go to www.poweroften.us and click “I want to support the class action lawsuit”. – Steven White

Justice is coming to East Ramapo … and WE can make it happen!

 

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