School Budget Vote Today

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

 

Commissioner King talks East Ramapo on Public Radio

Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

  1. Message From a Reader
  2. Three Days Left to Sign to Save East Ramapo
  3. Budget Revote Tuesday
  4. Commissioner King discusses East Ramapo on WNYC
  5. New Video Featured on Power of Ten

1) Hillcrest Resident Encourages Contacting Governor Cuomo

I urge everyone who received Steve’s message about contacting the governor’s office about the situation in the East Ramapo Schools to call or e-mail Governor Cuomo immediately.  I called today, and the phone was answered without any waiting, the representative listened to everything I said without interrupting, and I could hear typing sounds.  I was told that the message would be passed on.  It was very easy, and it only took about five minutes out of my day.  If all 4,000+ who signed the petition make a personal contact, there will be no doubt in Albany that we care about our children who have been left behind, and we expect the state to take decisive, fair action.  Thank you.

Nancy Mirsky

Member:  Neighbors of Hillcrest

The Governor’s number is (518) 474-8390

You can also Tweet him: @NYGovCuomo #SaveEastRamapo

His email is gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us

Talking Points:

  • East Ramapo Central School District was once considered among the best in NY State. Today, the graduation rate is just 74%, and for Hispanic Students just 54%!  Tell him he cannot let the destruction of East Ramapo continue!
  • The East Ramapo School Board has gutted public education! They have dramatically increased class sizes, decreased or eliminated arts, music, advanced placement and sports programs.
  • East Ramapo is not just another district with budget problems.  Our board has illegally diverted funds to segregated private religious schools, depriving public school students of their right to a quality education.  NY State MUST intervene!

2) Our Petition Is Now Over 5,700!!!

Have you signed yet? The petition is open to all people, regardless of your age, residency status, or where you live, so please invite all your friends far and near!

http://poweroften.us/sign-the-petition/

Join the Petition Event on Facebook:

3) Budget Revote

The revote will be held 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.

4) East Ramapo on WNYC Again!

On The Brian Lehrer Show, John King, New York State education commissioner and president of the University of the State of New York, talks about the state’s response to the East Ramapo school funding dispute.

Listen to the show

5) New Video

A new documentary video by local videographer Lisa Karrer is featured on the homepage: www.poweroften.us

Call Governor Cuomo, tell him: “Save East Ramapo”

Power of Ten Update

Call Governor Cuomo, tell him: “Save East Ramapo”

(518) 474-8390

In his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo appointed himself the students’ lobbyist. He said “…consider me the lobbyist for the students,” and “I will wage a campaign to put students first…”

Well, the students of East Ramapo public schools are in need of some results from their Governor/Lobbyist.

CALL GOVERNOR CUOMO TODAY!!!

(518) 474-8390

Tell him the East Ramapo Central School District was once considered among the best in NY State. Today, the graduation rate is just 74%, and for Hispanic Students just 54%!  Tell him he cannot let the destruction of East Ramapo continue!

The East Ramapo School Board has gutted public education! They have dramatically increased class sizes, decreased or eliminated arts, music, advanced placement and sports programs.

East Ramapo is not just another district with budget problems.  Our board has illegally diverted funds to segregated private religious schools, depriving public school students of their right to a quality education.  NY State MUST intervene!

Also, don’t forget, the online petition at http://poweroften.us/sign-the-petition/ will close on June 15th, so tell all your friends to sign right away!

Last Chance to Sign the Save East Ramapo Petition

Power of Ten Update

Last Chance to Sign the Save East Ramapo Petition:

PETITION CLOSING DATE IS JUNE 15TH

The East Ramapo Central School District was once considered among the best in NY State. Today, the graduation rate is just 74%, and for Hispanic Students just 54%!  School board members have diverted funds to promote religious schools and gutted the funding of the public schools. They have discriminated against and segregated students on the basis of race and religion. At the same time they have created a massive budget deficit which threatens BOCES payments and thereby neighboring school districts.

Sign the petition at http://poweroften.us/sign-the-petition/

A bill, S4183-2013: “Relates to intervention in chronically underperforming school districts” would give the NY State Education Department the power to intervene. This bill has the support of NYSED, the chairs of both the Senate and Assembly education committees, and all of the state level elected officials representing East Ramapo.

Sign the petition at http://poweroften.us/sign-the-petition/

Then, join the Facebook event and invite your friends to sign too!

Tell Governor Cuomo and the leaders of the NY State Senate and Assembly that they must pass this bill to INTERVENE for the children of East Ramapo!!!

This petition is open to all people, regardless of your age, residency status, or where you live. Please add your name to those calling for state intervention for East Ramapo by signing TODAY!

Massive Student Walkout in East Ramapo

Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

  1. Student Walkout
  2. Save East Ramapo Petition Now More Important Than Ever
  3. Budget Revote
  4. Message from the Editor

1) Student Walkout:

Hundreds of Spring Valley and Ramapo High School Students walked out of school on Wednesday to demand their right to a quality education.  The best estimate of the number of participants came from News 12, which had to dispatch a helicopter to capture the full extent of the 1,000 strong who attended the walkout!

Journal News: Hundreds of students walk out to protest cuts

Newsday: East Ramapo high school students walk out to protest cuts, poor conditions

2) Our Petition Is Now Over 4,000!!!

Have you signed yet? The petition is open to all people, regardless of your age, residency status, or where you live, so please invite all your friends far and near!

http://poweroften.us/sign-the-petition/

Join the Petition Event on Facebook:

3) Budget Revote 

The Board of Education of the East Ramapo Central School District will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, beginning at 7:00 PM at the central administration building at 105 South Madison Ave, Spring Valley.  A public hearing on the proposed 2013-2014 budget will be held at 7:45 P.M. The revote will be held Tuesday, June 18.

4) Message from the Editor

Once again, East Ramapo activists brought out more voters than any other district in the area. Why is it that our students and families cannot get a break? When the racial and ethnic makeup of the student body matched that of the larger community, there was never a problem. Everyone wanted to pitch in for the kids.  Today, thousands of our neighbors are told not to participate in public education, and they are being told they don’t need to care about other people’s children. It is my firm belief that if people knew how much suffering is being caused they would not go along with this. However, they are told not to use the internet, or even watch TV.  It seems incredible that these things are happening in a sleepy NY suburb in the year 2013.  As has been reported in several national news sources, the racial/ethnic/religious nature of the divide has people very worried that hate could grow and fester. At this point in time, it seems as if only state intervention can protect education and defuse the hurt feelings. The time has come for us to hold our elected representatives accountable.  The first step is to get as many signatures as possible on our petition.  Please sign and share today.  Justice is coming to East Ramapo, and WE can make it happen!

Steve White, editor