Get On This Bus!

The Power of Ten

In This Issue:
1. Get On This Bus!
2. Justice for East Ramapo is a Civil Rights Issue!
3. Protests Continue
4. School Election Update

1) Get On This Bus!

On April 28, buses will leave Rockland for Albany, bound to deliver our message of support for the Bill for Oversight for East Ramapo.

I am making a personal plea to every person reading this message. Get on this bus. Take the day off from work. Bring the kids. Bring your neighbors. Bring your friends. If you ever spent a moment asking yourself what you could do that would most help the children to have an opportunity for a better education, THIS IS IT!!!

Sign up right now at http://www.strongeastramapo.org/april28/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1420180211628079/

2) Justice for East Ramapo is a Civil Rights Issue!

The Rockland County Civil/Human Rights Hall of Fame will induct two East Ramapo Justice Advocates:

Judith Johnson and Steve White

Wednesday, April 8, 2015, Nyack Seaport,
21 Burd Street, Nyack, NY 10960, 845-353-3200
$40 per person (Checks payable to Commissioner of Finance)
RSVP: Human Rights Office 845-364-3886
email to Jean_GiD@co.rockland.ny.us
11:30 AM chck in Lunch Reception 12:00 to 3:00 PM

Also inducted this year:
Harry Edelstein (Posthumously)
Irving Feiner (Posthumously)
Earl Miller
Dwaine Perry
Bayard Rustin (Posthumously)

The New York Civil Liberties Union Hudson Valley Branch will honor Oscar Cohen, Willie Trotman, and Steven White at their annual dinner, Tuesday June 9th at 6 PM at The Riverview, One Warburton Ave, in Hastings-on-Hudson NY. More info at lowerhudsonvalley@nyclu.org

3) Protests Continue

Even when the school board cancels, the community still shows up to protest. This past Tuesday, 75 people stod out in the cold. Some did not know the board had canceled at the last minute for lack of a quorum (again!). Others came to show that we cannot be distracted from our goal. How sad is it that our school board members are so often unable to make meetings.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 14, at 7:30 PM, the protest will be held at 7:00.

The address is 105 S. Madison Ave, Spring Valley

To receive reminders about meetings or cancellations, text the word POWEROFTEN to 84483 from your mobile phone.

4) School Election Update

The school board election is May 19. You can get involved by coming to an informational event. Learn about the issues and how you can get involved. This campaign period is short. All of us will need to participate and solicit others to help us as well. Please ask your friends and neighbors to join us. We need all of you to help communicate with the voting public so they will be aware of how the school boards fiscal mismanagement is destroying our kids future and our home values. This effort is dedicated to providing the information that every voter need to know.

Date: Saturday April 11, 2015
Time: 2:00 – 4:00pm
Location: Hillcrest Firehouse
300 North Main St, Hillcrest NY
Rear of Building entrance and parking

Please RSVP to miller66@optonline.net if you can come

Another Attack; Another Protest; Your Help Needed

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Another Attack On Supporters of Public Education
2. Important Protest on Tuesday
3. School Board Campaign Needs Help

1) Another Attack On Supporters of Public Education

Today, I received an 8 x 10 glossy mailer attacking Assembly Member Ellen Jaffee, someone who has stood steadfast for children’s issues and for quality education for all children. Remember in a previous update, school board supporters had photo-shopped her head into a picture with the Ayatollah. This time, she is being accused of serving unnamed “special interests”. They want her to support a bill which would give $1 billion of public money to private investors. This is a bill which would subsidize the worst education system in America, an education system that graduates call “a fraud” and “a pretend education”. This bill would support the same “school” that got such a nice deal from the East Ramapo school board when they sold the Hillcrest Elementary school. A deal so nice that the appraiser is now a convicted felon and the Attorney General is continuing the investigation! A school which is not allowed to issue a New York State diploma, and yet state tax credits would be given to those who create “scholarships”.

Please call Ellen Jaffee’s office at 845-624-4601 and thank her for standing up for public school children.

Please send a message to NY lawmakers to Protect public education: Reject the private school tax credit

2) Important Protest on Tuesday

According to the NYS Fiscal Monitor, the East Ramapo Board “appears to favor the interests of private schools over public schools”. If you do not accept second class status, YOU MUST COME OUT and protest at the school board meetings. Invite your friends! Make a sign! If not now, when?

Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 PM
105 S. Madison Ave, Spring Valley

Join the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/387763254738338/

3) School Board Campaign Needs Help

Candidates for school board, including myself, are getting geared up to hit the streets with literature, put up signs, etc.

We are going to need your help, especially as the weather gets better. For right now, what we need is a little startup money! 

Won’t you please visit our webpage: https://charlespierremoraleswhite.wordpress.com/ and make a donation?

Thank you!!!

Support for Oversight Grows; Tax Credit for ‘Pretend’ Education Opposed

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. County Legislators Send Message to Governor Cuomo in Support of State Monitor for ERCSD
2. NAACP: Remember Selma by fighting for East Ramapo
3. Yeshiva Parents: ‘Our Children Deserve an Education Too’
4. Questions and Answers from a former New Square Yeshiva Teacher
5. NYCLU: Tax Credit Bill would transfer our public tax dollars to private and religious schools.

1) County Legislators Send Message to Governor Cuomo in Support of State Monitor for ERCSD

Rockland County Legislators sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo in support of NYS Senate and Assembly bills (S.3821/A.5355) that if passed, would authorize the State Commissioner of Education to appoint a state monitor to oversee the East Ramapo Central School District. Copies of the letter have been sent to state legislative leaders and the Commissioner of Education.

A four month-long investigation authorized by the State Commissioner in June of 2014 determined that the district is fiscally stressed, failing academically, with graduation rates well below the statewide average.

Legislator Nancy Low-Hogan said, “We as public officials in Rockland County feel it is our obligation to ensure that all children in the County receive their constitutionally guaranteed right to a ‘sound, basic education.’ Even though school districts have local control, ultimately it is the State’s responsibility to ensure that these constitutional rights are met, thus the need for this legislation.”

The Journal News: Rockland lawmakers back East Ramapo oversight bill

2) NAACP: Remember Selma by fighting for East Ramapo

Those who fought for social justice in the past will always tell you the best way to remember their accomplishments is not by solemn ceremony or joyous celebration, but by continuing the struggle for justice.

Lohud: NAACP leaders support East Ramapo oversight

3)  Yeshiva Parents: ‘Our Children Deserve an Education Too’

An organization called YAFFED has been formed which wants NY State to remember the right to a quality education is guaranteed for ALL children:

The Jewish Week: Bid For Better Secular Ed In Yeshivas Heading Toward Court

Listen to these interviews from The Jewish Daily Forward: Struggle and Triumph of College for Hasidim: “The lack of education is criminal”… “My diploma was not recognized” … “it’s a pretend education” … “In totality, it’s a fraud”.

You can help YAFFED build their campaign here

4) Questions and Answers from a former New Square Yeshiva Teacher

A young father in the insular Skverer sect, Shulem Deen took the one job available to him: teacher. In an exclusive excerpt from his forthcoming memoir, “All Who Go Do Not Return,” which chronicles his painful journey from 18-year-old newlywed to being expelled from New Square as a heretic, he recounts how the need to provide for his growing family led him to practices he would later question.

The Jewish Daily Forward: Lessons of Crime and Punishment in New Square Yeshiva

5)  NYCLU: Tax Credit Bill would transfer our public tax dollars to private and religious schools.

You can help stop this very dangerous law which could cost One Billion dollars over four years, and would help subsidize even the “pretend” education that you heard about in the previous item.

Please send a message to NY lawmakers to Protect public education: Reject the private school tax credit

 

Important Meeting Tuesday; Smear Tactics Exposed

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Important Meeting Tuesday
2. Judith Johnson Picked for Board of Regents
3. Assemblyman Zebrowski: Monitor Bill Balances Rights, Responsibilities
4. School Board Supporters Invoke Ayatollah, Nazis to smear Clergy, Lawmakers
5. 2015 School Board Campaign Getting Underway

1) Important Meeting Tuesday

Tuesday will be the first meeting since the East Ramapo Oversight Bill was introduced. It is very important that we show up and express our support. Bring a Friend! Make a Sign!

Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 PM
105 S. Madison Ave, Spring Valley

The March 3 meeting was cancelled due to snow. Even with the weather getting better, we may still run into cancellations. The board cancelled several meetings last year for lack of a quorum. Power of Ten has a new notification mechanism specifically designed for reminders of important events and quick notice of cancellations. Just text POWEROFTEN to 84483. (84483 is the number you enter where you would normally enter a phone number, enter POWEROFTEN where you normally enter the text of your text message). The service is free, but standard text message charges may apply from your wireless provider, depending on your text message plan. If you have an unlimited text messaging plan, then there would be no additional charge.

2) Judith Johnson Picked for Board of Regents

Journal News: Judith Johnson picked for Board of Regents

Lohud Editorial: Johnson a smart choice for Regents

Congratulations Regent Johnson!

3) Assemblyman Zebrowski: Monitor Bill Balances Rights, Responsibilities

Assemblyman Zebrowski provides the clearest explanation of the Board of Regents Study results and the bill that addresses them in a letter to the Journal News.

Community View: Zebrowski explains basics of East Ramapo bill

4) School Board Supporters Invoke Ayatollah, Nazis to smear Clergy, Lawmakers

After the unbelievable vulgarity of the school board attorney, and the equally dishonorable rehiring of his firm, you might think nothing would surprise you about this board or their supporters again. You would be wrong.

Strong East Ramapo: Behind the PR Smear Campaign, Follow The Money in East Ramapo

5)  2015 School Board Campaign Getting Underway

May 19 is the school board and budget vote. We are very lucky to have two wonderful young women, Natashia Morales and Sabrina Charles-Pierre, who are running for the school board. They are both graduates of East Ramapo and parents of children attending East Ramapo schools. The third candidate is the editor of this email newsletter, Steven White. Together we say: East Ramapo is in crisis.  We MUST do better! The kids deserve better! Join us: www.charlespierremoraleswhite.wordpress.com

Your Action Needed, In Person and Online

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Protest Discrimination Tuesday
2. Bill for Monitor Has a Dozen New Sponsors
3. Civil Rights Lawsuit Still Needs Your Help

1) Protest Discrimination Tuesday

According to the NYS Fiscal Monitor, the East Ramapo Board “appears to favor the interests of private schools over public schools”. If you do not accept second class status, YOU MUST COME OUT and protest at the school board meetings. Invite your friends! Make a sign! If not now, when?

Join the event on FaceBook

Take this opportunity to show your support for legislation for state oversight of East Ramapo!

Tuesday March 3rd, 7:00 PM
105 S. Madison Ave Spring Valley

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2) Bill for Monitor Has a Dozen New Sponsors

Over 2,500 people have signed the petition in support of the bill for a monitor.

12 members of the NYS Assembly have joined our local representatives in supporting the bill, with more joining every day..

Please keep the momentum up by signing the petition at http://www.strongeastramapo.org/

3. Civil Rights Lawsuit Still Needs Your Help

Advocates for Justice is working tirelessly to hold accountable those who have caused irreparable harm to thousands of children by damaging their educational system. The lawyers who are defending our cause have put in thousands of hours at no charge to the plaintiffs. The school board has dug deep into the district’s budget to defend its members, taking millions of dollars away from education to pay high priced law firms to try to get the case dismissed on technicalities. Advocates for Justice is being outspent ten to one, and yet still has kept the case alive so it can one day be heard by a jury. 

Donations are desperately needed to counter the massive legal attack. We know we will win, and our opponents do too, which is why they are trying so hard to keep this case from ever going to trial. Your support at this time is crucial. Please go to http://poweroften.us/links-and-events/donate/ and make a tax deductible donation. Thank You!