Hitting the Street in Albany and East Ramapo

Assembly Members Jaffee and Zebrowski, along with Education Chair Nolan, meet with students from East Ramapo who are delivering a petition with over 6,000 signatures asking for state intervention.

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. School Board Campaign Hits the Streets
2. Protests at School Board Meetings Continue
3. Volunteer Opportunity at Ramapo HS
4. Former Board Member Favors Monitor
5. Message from the Editor

1) School Board Campaign Hits the Streets

Many of those who attended last weekend’s campaign event volunteered to talk to their neighbors about the issues and the upcoming (May 19) election.

YOU can also participate! Just send me a note at steve@poweroften.us, and I will set you up with handouts and instructions.

If going door to door is not your thing, you might want to make some phone calls host a meet and greet fundraiser. Just send me a note and let me know what you are willing to do.

Of course, EVERYONE can make an online donation at: https://charlespierremoraleswhite.wordpress.com/donate-to-the-cause/, The amount you give is completely up to you.

If you would like to go with a group, we will be gathering at the BRAVO parking lot (corner Eckerson Rd and Rt 45) on Saturday at 11:30 AM.

2) Protests at School Board Meetings Continue

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?

The next meeting is scheduled for April 21, 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.

3) Volunteer Opportunity at Ramapo HS

Saturday April 25 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Ramapo HS, 400 Viola Rd, Spring Valley, NY

Bring your own garden tools and help spruce up Ramapo HS!
More info: 845-634-7828 x125 or rocklandchurches@gmail.com

4) Former Board Member Favors Monitor

Former East Ramapo School Board member Mimi Calhoun has written a letter to the Journal News which succinctly makes the case for a monitor.

View: In East Ramapo, it’s about governance

5. Message from the Editor

Over the past several years, multiple independent organizations have looked at the actions of the East Ramapo School Board. The Education Department has cited them multiple times for failure to comply with federal and state law. The Commissioner ruled the board “abused its discretion” in the sale of Hillcrest Elementary school.  The State Attorney General prosecuted one individual involved in the sale, the appraiser, who plead guilty to filing a false instrument. The investigation continues, and the Commissioner has ruled that the board cannot spend public dollars on a lawyer defending board members from the Attorney General’s inquiries. In the media there have been multiple investigations, most notably on “This American Life“. The attention culminated with an investigation at the request of Governor Cuomo, and the report by respected former federal prosecutor Hank Greenberg confirmed what all the others (and especially the students and parents) had been claiming.  The problems in East Ramapo are not the fault of the state formula, or the parents, or the teachers. NY State did not cause this crisis, but it is ONLY NY State that can solve it. We will be visiting Albany on April 28 to advocate that the bill for a monitor in East Ramapo becomes law. I want to thank all of the readers of this newsletter for your continued support, and encourage you to redouble your efforts now at this crucial moments, when a legal remedy to our crisis is within sight.