SPRING VALLEY, NY — In an increasing display of community outrage, over a hundred parents and advocates converged at the New York State Capitol yesterday, demanding immediate state intervention in the East Ramapo Central School District, which has faced controversy over budget and operational challenges for years.
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), actively supporting the local community, reported that demonstrators from East Ramapo demanded remedial actions for their crumbling school infrastructures, alarming lead levels in drinking water, and the appointment of a new governance board to address the ongoing crisis.
Ignacio Acevedo, a senior organizer with NYCLU Hudson Valley, highlighted the urgency of the situation in an interview with CBS6, stating, “This was an emergency for the community. Repeated attempts to communicate their concerns through normal channels were ignored, compelling them to seek a hearing at the state level.”
East Ramapo, located about two hours south of Albany in Rockland County, NY, has been critically scrutinized over the years.
Notably, the school district witnessed a staggering 41% chronic absenteeism rate during the 2020-21 academic year, with dropout rates significantly higher than neighboring districts. Reports have often cited mismanagement and insufficient funding allocations that disproportionately affect public school students, contrasted by favoring private yeshiva education.
Historical context is crucial, as past reports by The New York Times and ongoing investigations have highlighted long-standing issues stemming from the board’s decisions, which have been described as favoring private school students at the expense of the district’s public schools. These actions led to severe budgetary constraints and accusations of racial bias in the administration.
“The {REDACTED} school board has been resistant to raising taxes, essentially requesting state taxpayers to cover their mismanagement,” Acevedo explained, emphasizing the broader implications for taxpayers across New York state.
The district responded positively to the community’s activism, with a statement recognizing the importance of rallying for additional support. It outlined the steps taken locally, including the adoption of a new budget for the 2024-25 school year, aimed at preserving student programs across all district schools. The budget’s approval is pending a community vote scheduled for May 21.
However, the community’s distress and the school board’s historical conduct led to calls for more drastic measures. “We’re at a point where state takeover of decision-making powers seems necessary to rectify the ongoing neglect,” Acevedo added, labeling the situation as a modern iteration of systemic inequality.
As the community gathered for the rally, with key political figures such as State Senate Education Chair Shelley Mayer in attendance, the collective voice aimed to finally bring about the change needed to address the deep-rooted issues facing East Ramapo’s schools. The rally, which began at 2 p.m. yesterday, marked a critical juncture in the fight for equitable education in Rockland County.