Letter to the Editor: No Oversight of East Ramapo's YARC Contract

Dear Editor:

For anyone who thinks this district [East Ramapo] is going to start turning around now that Klein is on his way out – think again!

This board had the AUDACITY to extend contracts with a shady organization – the Yeshiva Association of Rockland County - that has NO TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS.

Former board member Steve Price said last month he never saw any “value-add” of having these contracts with YARC. Unfortunately, his words still ring true: despite what the contracts call for, there is absolutely NO RECORD OF YARC’s COMPLIANCE with its contractual obligation to provide federally-mandated programs paid for by taxpayer FEDERAL FUNDS!

That’s right, while this board is defunding and destroying our public schools, its appropriating Federal Title funds toward an organization that CLEARLY is not doing what it’s supposed to be doing. Dr. Klein and Daniel Shanahan are on record saying there is little-to-no oversight of the nonpublic schools in this district.

Yonah Rothman honorably did not vote for these extensions a month ago – but kept his head down and voted “yay” along Yehuda Weissmandl’s party line on Tuesday. Pray tell, has any evidence of YARC’s “value-add” or compliance magically appeared since then? We’ve FOIL’d and found absolutely nothing.

How in good conscience could he – or anyone on this board – have voted for these extensions? Mr. Rothman, I expected nothing less than a “nay” vote from you. And that goes for this board’s Vice President, Harry Grossman. You’re an educated man, Mr. Grossman. I know you are smart enough to see this for what it is. Alas, Yehuda’s flock of sheep did his bidding, as usual (I’m looking at you, especially, Bernard Charles).

I think it’s time to see some individuality on this board. Or rather – a complete overhaul of its members.

All I can say is THANK GOD there’s a BLACK WOMAN coming in as superintendent. This board better get used to hearing the sound of a BLACK WOMAN’s voice! Finally, the people of color in this diverse district have some representation!

Betty Carmand, Candidate for Legislator, Dist. 8