Carlucci Tries New East Ramapo Oversight Plan

New York State Senator David Carlucci has introduced a new bill hoping to provide for oversight of the East Ramapo Central School District.

Republicans in the Senate have refused to deal with the monitor issue, as charges of racism and anti-Semitism fly back and forth over plans for the school district in crisis.

His new legislation, entitled the “East Ramapo Central School District Oversight Act”, would provide a monitor for the troubled school district, and also provide the New York State Comptroller with fiscal and operational oversight.

“To end the legislative session without action would be a disservice to the children of East Ramapo,” said Oscar Cohen of Rockland Clergy for Social Justice. “We are supportive of this bill because for the first time it puts a monitor in place with full access to the school board and superintendent, brings transparency to the board’s actions and provides for regular reporting of the district’s activities to the Commissioner, Comptroller, Governor and legislature.”

“Seeing that at the 11th hour Senate leadership refused to bring my original bill to the floor for a vote, I negotiated with leadership to develop a bill that provides oversight and a comprehensive plan for East Ramapo,” Carlucci said in a written statement.

“This bill includes three layers of oversight and real time monitoring of the board’s actions. The monitor will be intricately involved, attending board meetings, both open and closed, as well as reviewing all fiscal plans with the State Comptroller to ensure that educational programs are being implemented effectively and fairly. Additionally, this bill also includes $5 million dollars of aid to East Ramapo that will be available to the district through education grants allocated by the State Education department. The funding will go towards programs that enrich our children’s education, including programs like Advanced Placement classes, full day kindergarten and after school activities. The passage of an oversight bill this legislative session is vital for the future of the East Ramapo School, and the children that rely on it for future success. If we do not act now, we are failing our children. We need to change the status quo and move forward with a realistic plan, so we can start mending our community, while ensuring that every student has access to the best education possible.”

Here’s his summary of the legislation:

The monitor will have the authority to:

• • Provide oversight of the educational and fiscal policies, practices, programs and decisions of the East Ramapo Central School District, the board of education and the superintendent.
  • Serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the school board.
  • Attend executive sessions of the board and have access to any necessary documents and records to carry out his or her duties.
  • File a written objection to a decision or act by the board or superintendent if the monitor finds that the decision is in violation of state or federal law.
  • Appeal to the State Education Department or the Comptroller if the monitor feels that the board or superintendent has not adequately addressed the concerns raised in the objection.
  • Hold public hearings or forums on school district matters and he or she can conduct any relevant studies, reports and reviews of any state laws or rules and regulations as they relate to the district matters, including state and local education funding.

Development of Strategic Academic and Fiscal Improvement Plan

The monitor will also be responsible for developing a strategic academic and fiscal improvement plan within one year. This plan will include the establishment of benchmarks and measurable objectives and identify strategies to address areas where improvements are needed in the district, including but not limited to its financial stability, academic opportunities and outcomes, education of students with disabilities, education of English language learners, community relations and board governance practices.

The Comptroller will have authority to:

• • In consultation with the Governor, appoint a state monitor within sixty days of the effective date.
  • Examine the budget to ensure that the fiscal and operational needs of the school district are being met including, but not limited to, sufficient funding is being allocated to students residing within the school district.
  • Consult with the State Education Department in reviewing prior years approved budget plans to ensure that the proposed budget plan is seeking to improve course offering and extracurricular activities within the school district.

The Comptroller will then present their findings on the board’s proposed budget prior to the vote. The school board will work to amend the proposed budget to conform with the comptroller’s findings.

$5 million Academic Improvement Plan

Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, the ERCSD will be eligible to receive academic improvement grants of $5 million per years, for 3 years. To receive these funds, by August 1, 2015 the district will submit an Academic Improvement Plan to the State Education Department. This plan will include, but is not limited to, the addition of advance placement programs, academic intervention programs, full day kindergarten, after school programming and other education programs. The Commissioner of the State Education Department will then approve or disapprove the academic improvement plan by August 15, 2015.

If the plan is disapproved by the commissioner, the school district will have fifteen days to resubmit their academic improved program plan, at which time the commissioner can either approve the resubmitted plan, or define the plan for the district, which the district must implement.