Carlucci: $1 Million for Emergency Repairs for Ramapo High School Roof

State and school officials announced today that $1 million has been secured by Sen. David Carlucci to fix the damaged roof at Ramapo High School.

After getting calls and emails from parents and teachers, Carlucci toured the school on Monday with Interim Superintendent Dr. Wortham and school officials to see the conditions for himself.

Parents said the situation has been going on for years -- but images of the problems went viral on social media last week.

On Feb. 1, the school principal sent out this memo to staff:

Today BOCES Safety and Health Technician Seth Armstrong and B& G Director Al Perotti met at Ramapo HS to take a look at the leaking roof situation and to investigate the smell in the hallway near the 200 North classrooms.

His recommendations are:

1. Replace the roof. ............and if that isn’t possible...........................

1. Remove all of the wet/stained ceiling tiles.

2. Ventilate the area with fans and open windows.

3. Keep the buckets under the leaks and empty them often.

Until the roof of the building is replaced/repaired the roof will continue to leak whenever we have a snow/ice build up on the roof. Please report leaks promptly so that appropriate actions can be taken. Please be sure that you have accurate, complete, and current information whenever you communicate with others, internally or externally, so that we are dealing with first hand facts at all times.

What Carlucci witnessed during the tour: classrooms that were completely unusable and offensive odors throughout the hallways.

Carlucci said he immediately began to work to secure funds allotted specifically for capital repairs.

“High school is difficult enough without students having to worry if the roof is going to collapse on them,” Carlucci said in a prepared statement. “There are many long term issues we must still address in the East Ramapo School district, however the leaking roof and water damage in Ramapo High is an issue that must be addressed immediately. The funding secured specifically for this project will ensure our students are provided a safe and healthy environment to learn and grow. Working together as a community we will continue to find solutions for East Ramapo now and in the future.”

The funding is allocated through the State and Municipal Facilities Funding Program overseen by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), and can only be used to cover costs associated with this specific project.

This will ensure that funding is being used effectively and will go towards its intended purpose. East Ramapo parents rejected a $40 million bond referendum for repairs including the roof in early 2015, many saying they didn’t trust the school board to use the money properly.

“On behalf of Commissioner Elia and my fellow monitors, I applaud Senator Carlucci for his commitment to the students, parents and staff of Ramapo High School. His ability to secure $1 million dollars to repair the high school’s roof will benefit a generation of students and alleviate a deplorable situation,” said Dennis Walcott, East Ramapo School District Monitor.

The district’s interim superintendent said East Ramapo was grateful to Carlucci.

“This is a manifestation of the collaboration in response to a sense of urgency,”said Dr. Deborah Wortham. “ Our Board, students, staff and community appreciate the focus on having an environment that is conducive for student achievement. Students who are healthy, safe, supported, engaged and challenged will succeed.”