Albany Agreement on East Ramapo Up for Vote

Senator David Carlucci, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski in conjunction with the East Ramapo Board of Education announced Tuesday that they have come together in an agreement that would provide additional resources and oversight to the beleaguered school district. 

For months, all parties have been working together with Assembly and Senate Leadership, in addition to the Governor’s office, to secure a deal before the conclusion of the legislative session, the lawmakers said.

Monday night they introduced a bill that would bring $3 million to the district to restore student programs (A.10723/S.8131). In addition to the funding, the agreement would continue the appointment of the monitor(s) to the district as well as oversight over the new appropriations and budget review by the Commissioner of Education. The legislation would be in effect for one year.

There's not a lot of time for the bill to pass. It must be voted on before Thursday when the session ends.

The proposal would require that the new funding be used to restore programs that have been cut including extracurricular activities, support services and full day kindergarten. 

The district, in consultation with the monitors, would have to develop a comprehensive expenditure plan that would detail how the new funding would be allocated. 

The public would have an opportunity to weigh in on the plan and the funding may only be provided to the district upon satisfaction to the Commissioner that the funds were spent appropriately.

The plan includes oversight that would be provided by the Commissioner of Education. Under the bill, the board must submit next year’s school budget for review to the Commissioner, who would have binding authority. They must also submit any sale of a public asset, capital contract or cut in public education programs for State Commissioner approval.

"I have been proud to fight for East Ramapo, and this new legislation will allow us to turn a corner and take the first step in restoring vital programming for our children. With the deal reached today, alongside my colleagues, the dedicated students and advocates throughout the community, our school district will have the oversight and funding it needs for success. The road to today's deal has been long, and our work is not yet done, however I am happy to say that East Ramapo is now moving in the right direction," said Carlucci in a press statement.

East Ramapo School Board President Yehuda Weissmandl had this to say: “We are extremely pleased that Assembly Members Jaffe and Zebrowski and Senator Carlucci have secured an additional $3 million for the East Ramapo schools. This infusion of resources will help address funding inequities that have plagued the district for years.  With the extra resources, we'll make targeted investments in academic programs and services. It will be done with input from state monitors and the involvement of the community, and the result will be an improvement the quality of education in the district. This development was made possible by everyone working together to benefit the students. With continued close cooperation, I am confident that we will continue and expand our progress. On behalf of everyone in the district, I want to thank Ellen, Ken and David for their extraordinary efforts on our behalf."

Jaffee said as a sponsor she believed that this legislation would enhance collaboration between the State Education Department, the school board and community as well as provide additional funds for essential educational programs.

“After almost two years of contentious debate, this bill represents hope for the East Ramapo School District. Hope for meaningful oversight, restored opportunities and a future where both sides can come together for the best interests of the kids,” said Zebrowski.

School Superintendent Deborah Wortham said the additional resources would allow administrators to expand full-day kindergarten, music and the arts and other enhancements that would improve educational outcomes in East Ramapo. 

"This is a source of great encouragement for our students, teachers and administrators. It really builds hope for a turnaround in the district,” Wortham said.

And representatives of two of the groups fighting East Ramapo school officials over budget cuts and the use of resources, Willie Trotman, president of the Spring Valley NAACP, and Oscar Cohen of Rockland Clergy for Social Justice, said they were cautiously pleased.

“On behalf of the Spring Valley NAACP and Rockland Clergy for Social Justice, we welcome the introduction of Assembly and Senate bills authorizing the Commissioner of Education to approve and amend East Ramapo's budget, and maintain the presence of state monitors," they said in a written statement. "We are grateful the legislation authorizes an additional $3 million for the restoration of specific student services and programs. We wish to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Assemblywoman Jaffee, Assemblyman Zebrowski, Senator Carlucci, Governor Cuomo, Senators Flanagan and Klein and Speaker Heastie and Regent Johnson who came together on behalf of East Ramapo's children. While we realize the legislation is for one year, we are hopeful that its effectiveness will lead to its reauthorization contributing to the growth and development of our students.”