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governor Cuomo

We did it! Here are the next steps:

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Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. We surpassed our goal!
2. Phone the Governor
3. Martin Luther King Day
4. 2016 Candidates Forum

1) Fundraising Goal Surpassed!

Thanks to everyone who donated to our campaign, and special thanks to those who responded to yesterday’s appeal!

We raised $2,290 in 24 hrs to blow past our $25,000 fundraising goal for this campaign!

2) Call Gov. Cuomo

The debate over how to help the East Ramapo district will be among the top issues facing the state Legislature this year. It deserves to be mentioned in the Governor’s State of the State address on Wednesday.

Please now take 30 seconds to call the Governor’s office. The number is 1-518-474-8390, then press 3 to talk with a person. You can say, “I am calling to ask the Governor to include support for strong oversight for the East Ramapo School District in his State of the State Address.”

3) Martin Luther King Day

The sixth annual Martin Luther King Celebration 2016 will take place on Monday, January 18th. It will be a remarkable event with 117 sponsors and 100’s of supporters. The whole community is invited. The admission is free and food will be provided for everyone free of charge. Weldon McWilliams IV is the keynote speaker and there will be exceptionally good entertainment.

Please help us get the word out so we fill Ramapo High School in a great Unity Celebration which not only honors the great work of Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement but examines what has to be done to make our community, the nation and the world a better place for all.

What: Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Where: Ramapo High School, 400 Viola Rd, Spring Valley NY

When: Monday, January 18th from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Details: http://mlkmpc.org/2016/01/08/2016-martin-luther-king-day-celebration-ramapo-high-school/

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1745327839029244/

4) 2016 Candidates Forum:

Its time to start thinking about the May school board and budget vote!

Last year’s candidates have maintained a presence on social media to give this year’s candidates a head start.

We will hold a public forum on Thursday January 28 to give an opportunity for all who would like to run for school board in 2016 to present themselves to the community. 

Our goal is to strengthen the unity in our community, and to provide the very best support to a unified slate of candidates.

You can help by encouraging others to think about becoming candidates for school board. Or maybe you might be interested yourself? The Center for Public Education says a good school board candidate should: have vision and goals for high academic achievement for all students; be able to inspire parents and other stakeholders to have confidence in the local public schools; enhance the mix of skills and backgrounds on the board; and help the school board represent the diversity of the community.

Those who wish to run should fill in this google form.

What: 2016 School Board Candidates Forum

Where: Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center

When: Thursday January 28 at 7:00 PM

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

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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!

7-31-12

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Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

  1. Governor Cuomo Vetoes S7722!
  2. East Ramapo Parents: 5 on School Board Must Go!
  3. What YOU can do to be part of the action!
1) Governor Cuomo Vetoes S7722:

Governor Cuomo has vetoed S7722, the “special education placement bill”. He says: “This bill unfairly places the burden on taxpayers to support the provision of a private education”.

The East Ramapo School Board has been doing just that with its unapproved placements which continue to be a violation of State Regulations.

Power of Ten submitted a petition with 1715 signatures asking Governor Cuomo to veto this bill. We congratulate him for doing the right thing and for noting that part of the reason for his decision was communication he received from “hundreds” of individuals. East Ramapo was the only local school board not to write the governor requesting a veto. You can call Governor Cuomo at 518-474-8390, and thank him for vetoing S7722.

2) “Advocates for Justice” needs YOU:

The New York-based public interest law firmAdvocates for Justice, on behalf of 14 East Ramapo parents and community members, said it is calling for the removal of five board members and the appointment of a an overseer to remedy rampant abuses of office within the ERCSD School Board, and prevent future abuses. This major development has been covered in The New York Times and The Journal News, and featured with Art McFarland on Channel 7 Eyewitness News.

3) YOU can join in this action and be part of the solution:

To sign on, contact Stephanie Torre at storre@advocatesny.com , or (212)285-1400 or through the web form. Please contact them by the end of business on Friday to be sure to be included in any action.

7-29-12

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Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

  1. East Ramapo Parents: 5 on School Board Must Go!
  2. Petition Deadline is Midnight Monday!
  3. What YOU can do to be part of the action!

1) “Advocates for Justice” file appeal to remove 5 board members

The New York-based public interest law firmAdvocates for Justice, on behalf of 14 East Ramapo parents and community members, said it is calling for the removal of five board members and the appointment of a an overseer to remedy rampant abuses of office within the ERCSD School Board, and prevent future abuses. The release of the52-page documentthat accuses the East Ramapo school board of:

  • A pattern of fraud in the sale of school property
  • Willful noncompliance with Special Education Rules causing loss of funds
  • Unlawfully using state money to purchase religious textbooks
  • Dangerously compromising the security of students
  • Failure to provide oversight and guidelines for purchases … a breach of fiduciary duty
This major development has been covered in The New York Times and The Journal News, and featured with Art McFarland on Channel 7 Eyewitness News
YOU can join in this action and be part of the solution! To sign on, contact Stephanie Torre at storre@advocatesny.com , or (212)285-1400
2) Petition deadline is rapidly approaching:

Governor Cuomo has until August 1 to veto the “special education placement bill”. Only Governor Cuomo can stop this bill from becoming law!!!

The petition started by Power of Ten will be sent on the morning of July 31. Please sign, and urge all your friends and neighbors to sign.

The deadline to sign is midnight of Monday, July 30.

3) What you can do to be part of the action:

You can see all the news and info at www.poweroften.us

7-24-12

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Power of Ten Update

Our Petition is on Fire!

Yesterday, Newsday reported that our online petition had doubled overnight!

“A petition calling for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to veto a special education placement bill has doubled in signatures overnight, surpassing the creator’s goal of 500 supporters.”

Today, we have doubled again to OVER 1000 signers!!!

The bill we are asking the Governor to veto is an unfunded mandate that will have devastating consequences, according to educators.

The NY State Senate sent the ‘education placement’ bill to the Governor on Friday. He could sign it any day now, so there is no time to waste.

Please reach out to all your contacts right now! E-mail, facebook, twitter, or any other way you know. Let’s stop this unfunded mandate that will promote segregation in special education. Thanks!

Only governor Cuomo can stop this bill from becoming law!!!

Sign the Petition Today

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-andrew-m-cuomo-veto-s7722-the-special-education-placement-bill?share_id=TePXefzKwg

7-22-12

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Power of Ten Update

The Clock is Ticking!

The NY State Senate sent the ‘education placement’ bill to the Governor on Friday. He could sign it any day now, so there is no time to waste. Please reach out to all your contacts right now! E-mail, facebook, twitter, or any other way you know. As I write this, we are at 405 signatures, only 95 away from the goal. There is a link right from the Power of Ten homepage. Let’s stop this unfunded mandate that will promote segregation in special education. Thanks!

Only governor Cuomo can stop this bill from becoming law!!!

Power of Ten has created an online petition to the Governor

Sign the Petition Today

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-andrew-m-cuomo-veto-s7722-the-special-education-placement-bill?share_id=TePXefzKwg

7-20-12

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Power of Ten Update

Urgent: Action Needed Now!

In a previous update, it was reported that NYSED found the East Ramapo district to be in violation of regulations pertaining to placement of special education students.
A new law has been proposed which would allow the district to make these placements at taxpayer expense. The impact of this new unfunded mandate would devastate East Ramapo!!!
Only governor Cuomo can stop this bill from becoming law!!!
Power of Ten has created an online petition to the Governor

Sign the Petition Today

 

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-andrew-m-cuomo-veto-s7722-the-special-education-placement-bill?share_id=TePXefzKwg

7-16-12

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Power of Ten Update

Special Edition: Urgent Action Needed

In a previous update, it was reported that NYSED found the East Ramapo district to be in violation of regulations pertaining to placement of special education students.
A new law has been proposed which would allow the district to make these placements at taxpayer expense.  Only governor Cuomo can stop this bill from becoming law.
Please call Governor Cuomo’s office this week!

Call 518-474-8390 then ext 2. and leave a voice message:

I am (your name), live at (address and county) … I urge Governor Cuomo to to VETO S7722 (SAY THIS NUMBER!!!) – “special education placement bill”.  The bill DOES NOT protect special education children.  The bill favors religious groups over everyone else. The bill will cost public school districts hundreds of thousands of dollars and will create a segregated school system using taxpayer money.

Please also send a letter to the Governor: http://www.governor.ny.gov/ContacttheGovernor
An excellent example of a letter on this subject is available at: http://www.lohud.com/article/20120711/OPINION/307110024/Special-ed-bill-will-damage-districts
These sources will provide ample information to compose a letter to the governor:
The Rockland County Legislature has refused to take up this issue:
Full coverage of the action in the legislature is available at: http://www.preserveramapo.org/Preserve%20Ramapo%202012/county_legislators_turn_their_ba.htm
The issue was also discussed extensively on the East Ramapo Underground radio show:

7-8-12

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Power of Ten Update

In this edition:

  1. Action items: Call the Governor, come to the county legislature
  2. Loss of Band Director hurts district
  3. Message from the editor
1) Action Items!
In a previous update, it was reported that NYSED found the East Ramapo district to be in violation of regulations pertaining to placement of special education students.  A new law has been proposed which would allow the district to make these placements at taxpayer expense.  Only governor Cuomo can stop this bill from becoming law.
The problematic nature of this law has been exposed in the Wall Street Journal and denounced on Huffington Post

Please call Governor Cuomo’s office this week!

Call 518-474-8390 then ext 2. and leave a voice message:

I am (your name), live at (address and county) … I urge Governor Cuomo to to VETO S7722 (SAY THIS NUMBER!!!) – “special education placement bill”.  The bill DOES NOT protect special education children.  The bill favors religious groups over everyone else. The bill will cost public school districts hundreds of thousands of dollars and will create a segregated school system using taxpayer money.

Please  come to the Rockland County Legislature meeting on Tuesday!

County Legislator Joe Meyers is planning to introduce a resolution urging Governor Cuomo to veto the bill.  The public can speak at the beginning of the meeting in support of this Resolution.

Time: Tuesday, July 10th at 7:00 pm (come at 6:15- see the next item)
Place:11 New Hempstead Road, New City

2) Loss of Band Director Michael E. Smith hurts district

According to The Journal News, “For more than 20 years with Smith at the helm, the marching band has proven itself a gem among East Ramapo’s athletic and extracurricular programs even as the district has floundered in other areas.”

What kind of school leadership would lay off  the one district-wide employee most identified as creating an image of success and pride in the district?

This same leadership last year fired Pedro Santana, whose leadership was inspiring a revival in school spirit and renewed optimism among students, teachers and  parents.

These were the two most prominent district-wide employees who were inspiring pride and hope in the staff and the students. Coincidence?

The Rockland County Legislature will honor Mr. Michael E. Smith on Tuesday, July 10 at 6:15 pm. (Please stay to support Joe Meyers’ resolution re: “special education placement bill”)

3) Message from the editor

Please take some time to look over the content on the Power of Ten website.  The story of our struggle is told there in documents such as the Comptroller’s report, the NYSED violation notice, and the Commissioner’s Hillcrest sale decision. It is documented in the videos of parents, students, teachers, administrators, and community members pleading with the board not to destroy our educational system.

For years, those who have been at the helm have cited financial reasons for their actions.  But how does this explain that they created a paid position (treasurer) for a close friend, Israel Bier?  This job had previously been performed by a district employee at no extra cost.  How does this explain that they replaced our long time attorney for one that cost about four times as much per hour? Or trying to sell two schools for a fraction of the appraised value? How about losing track of millions of dollars worth of textbooks loaned to their friends who run non-public schools, or violating regulations of the state to place students in non-public schools at public expense?  Is any of this sound financial policy for the district?

And then they fired Pedro Santana, the most effective and beloved administrator the district has ever seen.  And now they have let the LEGENDARY band leader Michael E. Smith go.

Are the board members  sincerely trying to protect the taxpayer?  The record shows that they have been cited time and again for failure to protect the taxpayer’s interest. The record shows that they have taken actions which hurt the reputation and morale of the district even when there is no financial reason for doing so.

This message is to the school board and the superintendent: as former NFL head coach Bill Parcells would say: “you are what your record says that you are.”