[poweroften] 2013 Review; 2014 Priorities

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The Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

1. 2013 Review
2. Let's Make Education Our Priority for 2014
3. Advocates for Justice End of Year Donation Plea

1) 2013 Review

2013 was a very active year for the struggle for educational equity in East Ramapo schools. It began with Letters from the NY State Education Department (NYSED) demanding that East Ramapo get its financial and educational house in order.  That initiative by the state was stalled by a lawsuit brought by the district against NYSED. That was another of several suits, fought with our education tax dollars, that the school board has lost. In January, Power of Ten went to Albany with students and parents and 4,994 signatures asking for NY State to intervene.  We got a response from Commissioner King, who said that there was pending legislation that could be a solution to our problem. In June The Power of Ten submitted petitions to Governor Cuomo with 6,152 signatures in favor of the passage of the bill. We have never received any response from Governor Cuomo.  In October, The Civil Rights lawsuit brought by Advocates for Justice survived another challenge by the school board's $600 an hour lawyers. The judge has ruled that the case will proceed, and we are confident that Justice is Coming to East Ramapo!

Read an Abbreviated History of Actions to Save Our Schools or check out the archive of Power of Ten updates for a look back at more actions.

2) Let's Make Education Our Priority for 2014

All of our actions have had the single goal that every child's right to a quality education shall be ensured and protected by the community at large.  We have promoted candidates for school board, we have conducted informational rallies and protests, we have delivered our message to the school district and to our elected officials.  We have filed appeals with NYSED, some of which have been successful. However, resources continue to be diverted and programs and staff continue to be cut.  In 2014 we will continue to rally, and to lobby. We will also be in court!

3) Advocates for Justice End of Year Donation Plea

When your civil rights are trampled, and the politicians are unwilling to act, it has traditionally been the legal system which has acted to protect your rights. Access to that legal system often depends on ability to pay, and too often justice is denied due to lack of funding.

We have been extremely lucky to have our issue taken up by a not-for-profit, public interest civil rights law firm. Advocates for Justice has been working tirelessly to get the US Federal Court to order that the East Ramapo School District stop diverting funding from public schools and restore funding to the way it is mandated by law.  The case also includes recouping damages from the school officials whose actions have caused so much damage to our educational system.

Advocates for Justice is not charging a fee to any of the over 400 people who signed on as plaintiffs in this suit. However, this is a very complicated suit and the school board has already spent millions of dollars trying to make it go away.  They know that if this case goes to trial, they will be personally liable, and they are using every desperate measure to try to stop this case from ever being seen by a jury.

We must come together to sustain our side of this legal battle.  That means each of us needs to pitch in for the costs, in whatever way we can.

Click Here to Donate to the Advocates for Justice East Ramapo Save Our Schools Legal Fund

Donations to Advocates for Justice are tax-deductible.

WE can make Justice come to East Ramapo! Please donate today!

 

[poweroften] D’Agostino Still Here?; Peace Award Details

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. D'Agostino is still here?
2. Peace Award Details
3. Message from The East Ramapo Underground

1) D'Agostino is still here?

Many people might think that after the school board said that they would "transition" from the law firm of D'Agostino that meant he was no longer working for the district. They would be wrong.  A letter was written to the JN (by Power of Ten editor Steven White): E. Ramapo board, in another failure, still employing tainted law firm

The County Exec elect wrote a letter to Commissioner King about the subject.  Article in Pearl River Patch: Rockland Exec Elect Asks State to Step in on East Ramapo Schools' Lawyers

2) Peace Award Details

The Fellowship of Reconciliation will present the 2013 Nyack Area Peace Award to East Ramapo activists Steven and Emilia White on Sunday, Dec 22 during the Winter Solstice Celebration.

The Event will be at the FOR headquarters at 521 N. Broadway in Nyack from 1:00 – 7:00 PM and will include music and food (potluck).  There is a suggested donation.

The Award Ceremony will be at 2:30 PM

All the information is available at http://forusa.org/events/2013/12/22/winter-solstice-house-concert

The information about the award and this year's recipients: http://forusa.org/events/2013/12/22/winter-solstice-house-concert

3) Message from The East Ramapo Underground

The East Ramapo school board meeting (Dec 16th) had two executive sessions that lasted a total of three hours. Here are the videos that show what happened during the other 25 minutes of the meeting. East Ramapo started Extended Learning Time for schools on December 16, 2013. Title I, II and III funds are used for this. Some of the time is before and after school. Do the parents know about this program?http://youtu.be/N-eseFGyCXQ

East Ramapo states that the amount of students that are eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch now stands at 76%. One school is at 89%. Are these numbers accurate? Who checks these numbers? http://youtu.be/ttzP1Zyy5ZA

East Ramapo which has been sited three times in the past for making improper settlements continues the practice. Listen as four more settlements are made. Special Ed costs have risen by over 45% in the last three years.  http://youtu.be/bmGmkDVbF94

Watch all the East Ramapo Videos on www.youtube.com/LuckyLouProduction

East Ramapo Underground provides messages about school board meetings and other news topics often more quickly and with more detail than the Power of Ten Updates.

You can now subscribe to the East Ramapo Underground messages directly by sending a message to eastramapounderground-subscribe@npogroups.org

[poweroften] Invitation to FOR Celebration; Spring Valley - East Ramapo Crisis is an Emergency

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Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

1. East Ramapo activists to receive Peace Prize
2. Crisis in East Ramapo declared an emergency priority by the Village of Spring Valley
3. New lawsuit addresses failure to provide basic education to all students

1) East Ramapo Activists to Receive Peace Prize

YOU are INVITED to attend this celebration featuring the Living Legend, America's best-loved folksinger, Pete Seeger!!! There will be many other performers, including East Ramapo parent Tjokorda Gde Arsa Artha.   Follow the link below for times, suggested donation, and more info.

The 2013 Fellowship of Reconciliation Nyack Area Peace Award Winners are Steve and Emilia White!!!

The award will be presented on December 22nd at the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Winter Solstice House Concert and Nyack-Area Peace Award Presentation

2) Crisis in East Ramapo declared an emergency priority by the Village of Spring Valley

Calling the situation in East Ramapo a "crisis," the Village of Spring Valley passed a resolution stating that it will play an active role to address the issues facing the East Ramapo Central School District.

The Journal News: New Spring Valley board focuses on East Ramapo's troubles

 3) New lawsuit addresses failure to provide basic education to all students

The cuts to programs in East Ramapo have affected many students. If you are a parent who is concerned that your student may not be receiving all the educational programs that they should be, you may be interested in a new lawsuit which addresses this issue on a statewide level.  Please contact Dr. Oscar Cohen for more information at oscarpcohen@optonline.net

[poweroften] Activist becomes Elected Official Monday; Correction: New Educational Lawsuit by prominent Attorney

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Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

1. East Ramapo Activist to become Spring Valley Trustee Monday
2. Correction: New Lawsuit filed by Executive Director, not Organization

1) East Ramapo Activist to become Spring Valley Trustee Monday

East Ramapo activist Emilia White will be sworn in as a trustee for the village of Spring Valley on Monday December 2.  There will be a reorganization meeting  at 2:00 PM in Spring Valley Village Hall, 200 N Main St, and a swearing in ceremony at 7:00 PM at the Ramapo Cultural Arts Center, 66 N Main St, Spring Valley. Let's all come out and wish her success as she continues to fight for justice from her new position.

2) Correction: New Lawsuit filed by Executive Director, not Organization

In the last message, I incorrectly reported that The Teachers College, Columbia University Campaign for Educational Equity (CEE) was filing a lawsuit against New York State. The correct information is that the lawsuit is being filed by Michael Rebell, who is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Educational Equity as an individual. At this point, Teachers College, Columbia University has neither signed onto the lawsuit nor authorized the Campaign for Educational Equity to file a suit.

Mr. Rebell is looking for parents of students who may have been personally deprived by cutbacks to school programs. Please contact Dr. Oscar Cohen if you would like to participate at oscarpcohen@optonline.net

[poweroften] East Ramapo Activists to Receive Peace Prize; East Ramapo is Major Factor in Nov 5th Election

Power of Ten Update

In this Issue:

1. East Ramapo Activists to Receive Peace Prize
2. Cuomo Must Intervene in East Ramapo
3. The Campaign for Educational Equity Wants You!
4. Crisis in East Ramapo is Major Factor in Nov 5^th Election

1) East Ramapo Activists to Receive Peace Prize

The 2013 Fellowship of Reconciliation Nyack Area Peace Award Winners are Steve and Emilia White!!!

The award will be presented on December 22^nd at the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Winter Solstice House Concert and Nyack-Area Peace Award Presentation

Featuring the music of PETE SEEGER!!!!!!!!!!!!! (One cannot put enough exclamation marks after typing PETE SEEGER!!!!!!!!!!)

2) Cuomo Must Intervene in East Ramapo

In an incisive and insightful letter to the editor, Dr. Oscar Cohen calls on Governor Cuomo to intervene in East Ramapo

Cuomo needs to intervene on behalf of East Ramapo students

3) The Campaign for Educational Equity Wants You!

The Teachers College, Columbia University Campaign for Educational Equity (CEE) is filing a class action lawsuit against New York State and is seeking specific data about the harm imposed on students who are not receiving required education, related services and/or extra curricula activities.

They are looking for parents of students who may have been personally deprived by these cutbacks. Please contact Dr. Oscar Cohen if you would like to participate at oscarpcohen@optonline.net

4) Crisis in East Ramapo is Major Factor in Nov 5^th Election

This year voters all over Rockland had East Ramapo on their minds as they went to the polls.  Thanks to an increase in media coverage over the past year, the public is well aware of the reprehensible treatment that students, parents, and the public in general have received and continue to receive from the East Ramapo School Board.  The same political machine which delivered school board seats in East Ramapo was promoting its agenda for many elected positions around Rockland.  Most prominently they wanted to be the deciding factor in the Rockland County Executive race.  They supported the Democratic candidate, David Fried, who was already considered by many as the front runner because of his many endorsements, including President Clinton, and because Democrats outnumber Republicans in Rockland County two to one. He is also an excellent campaigner, and very well liked for good reason as he is a really nice guy. The voters responded with a resounding victory for the underdog, Ed Day, who is also a nice guy and ran a good campaign, because they are fully aware of what is happening in East Ramapo and how it is only possible because of the political machine that elects the school board members, and they do not want that machine to have any more power.   Ed Day early on aligned himself with East Ramapo activists Betty Carmand, Hiram Rivera, Weldon McWilliams and Emilia White, who were also running for elected office on the Preserve Rockland ballot line, and wrote a position piece on East Ramapo which mirrored the positions of the East Ramapo activists.  By aligning himself with us, he made it clear that he was not interested in receiving the support of our opponents. The 8,667 votes that Ed Day got on the Preserve Rockland Line were the deciding factor in the election.  Before November 5^th, it was considered necessary to get the support of the machine that elected our East Ramapo school board in order to win a countywide election in Rockland.  After November 5^th, those who seek elected office should think twice about relying on that machine.  Preserve Rockland is now more than a way to send a message with your vote, it is the most powerful third party line in Rockland County.   Emilia White was another Preserve Rockland Candidate who won her election.  She gathered 1,575 votes on the Democratic line, more than any other major party candidate for Spring Valley Trustee, and added 341 on the Preserve Rockland line for a total of 1,916 votes.

 

[poweroften] Fwd: Election Day is Here - Time to Vote!

From: East RamapoUnderground <eastramapounderground@hotmail.com>
Date: November 5, 2013 
Subject: Election Day is Here - Time to Vote!

VOTE ROW G - Preserve Rockland   Election Day is Here - Time to Vote!

Friends, It's finally here - Election Day 2013.  It's all come down to this.  Time to go to the polls and exercise that cherished right that so many generations of Americans have fought and died for - the right to vote. Make sure to take a few minutes today to go exercise that vote.  Remember, your polling location may have changed - if you're not sure, use the Board of Elections Polling Place Lookup Tool. Remember - the polls are open from 6AM until 9PM! When you go vote, bring a friend! Later in the day, make sure your friends, family, and neighbors have all voted - and if you or they need a ride, call 845-216-3788 and we'll make sure they get one!

[poweroften] A Clear Choice on Nov 5th

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Power of Ten Update

In this issue:

What does political power look like?  Can we achieve our goals without it?

Over the past several years, the parents of East Ramapo have achieved an impressive level of unity when voting in school board elections.  While our candidates did not always win their seats, politicians at every level of government have started to pay attention to our issues. 

Are you aware how powerful you are?

The efforts of East Ramapo students, parents, and supporters have attracted regional, national, EVEN international attention!  Our issue has become so well known that every candidate is talking about it, and many are claiming to have plans to address the problem.

Preserve Rockland, "Row G"

This year we have an opportunity to increase our political power the same way we have done in the school board elections.  In municipal elections people tend to vote along party lines, so a separate ballot line has been created which gives public school advocates a place to unite. 

The opposition

Our opponents in school elections have maintained their unity and achieved political power. They have brought as much dysfunction to our village, town and county governments as they have to East Ramapo.

Here is the list of candidates that our opponents have endorsed for November 5th

 

A Clear Choice!

The Preserve Rockland candidates have ALL clearly stated that it is a conflict of interest for a school board to be run by people who do NOT have the best interest of the public school children in mind. They have ALL committed to going to Albany together to demand that Governor Cuomo take action.

 

Officials who have been elected by the bloc vote have brought: felony charges in sale of schools, the cursing lawyer scandal, the corridor of  corruption scandal, an FBI raid, the illegal boarding house epidemic and an explosion of illegal and unsafe private schools.

By voting on the Preserve Rockland line, Row "G", we are sending a message that the problems of East Ramapo MUST be dealt with NOW, for the sake of the children of East Ramapo and ALL the children in Rockland County. We realize there are other important issues and other worthy candidates, but there may never be another chance like this year for OUR VOICES to be heard!

Robert Forrest
President
Save Our Schools-East Ramapo

[poweroften] Parent: East Ramapo fails to provide NY minimum education; SOS President: Send a message on Nov 5

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Power of Ten Update

In this issue:

1. Parent Files Appeal Re: Lack of Music and Art in East Ramapo
2. SOS President: Send a Message on November 5th

1) Parent Files Appeal Re: Lack of Music and Art in East Ramapo

East Ramapo Parent David Curry has served the Board of Education with a Section 310 Appeal regarding its failure to provide instruction in music and art in the elementary schools, in violation of NYSED regulations.

Lohud: East Ramapo parent appeals to state over lack of music, art instruction

The superintendent has said that activists file complaints "just for fun".  Perhaps he thinks it is funny for parents to see their children crying because they don't have music? 

Thank you, Mr. Curry, for standing up for your child and for all of our children. 

2) Send a Message on November 5th

The "Save Our Schools" (SOS) efforts to resolve the crisis in East Ramapo Schools have focused on the following topics:

1) Recognition that the crisis is the result of the disconnect between the interests of the school board and the children actually attending the public schools.

2) Petitioning the NYS Education Department to intervene on behalf of our children's right to a quality education.

3) Appealing specific decisions of the school board which were arbitrary, and which damaged the education system of the children and/or the interests of the taxpayers of Rockland County.

4) Petitioning Governor Cuomo, our legislators, and the Commissioner of Education to intervene in the governance of the district.

5) Filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of parents, students and taxpayers to force the district to provide a quality education and hold the school board members accountable for their mismanagement.

6) Requesting that a study be conducted to find and compare possible innovative solutions to the systemic problems associated with a district in which a majority of school-aged children do not attend public schools.

7) Demanding that parents must be included in the discussions and decision making regarding their children's education in public schools.

This year, candidates running for election on every party line and for every municipal office are talking about East Ramapo. Several of them have family connections, or were themselves students. Some have been very active in our campaigns to elect school board members, or have themselves been candidates. These include Emilia White (school board candidate in 2009), Hiram Rivera (school board candidate in 2012), Betty Carmand (plaintiff in the civil rights lawsuit and filed an appeal to NYSED) and Dr. Weldon McWilliams IV who is an advisor to the East Ramapo Student Coalition.

This year, a local party named "Preserve Rockland" has been formed which includes the above named candidates and promises to make the work they have been doing as citizens and activists their work as elected officials. The candidates who comprise the Preserve Rockland slate include Democrats, Republicans and Working Families party members. There are candidates in several municipalities, including the Towns of Ramapo and Clarkstown, the Villages of Spring Valley and Suffern, and Rockland County.

By voting on the Preserve Rockland line, Row "G", we are sending a message that the problems of East Ramapo MUST be dealt with NOW, for the sake of the children of East Ramapo and ALL the children in Rockland County. We realize there are other important issues and other worthy candidates, but there may never be another chance like this year for OUR VOICES to be heard.

Robert Forrest

President

Save Our Schools-East Ramapo

 

[poweroften] Upcoming Events; Enrollment is Up; East Ramapo Activists Honored

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Power of Ten Update

In this issue:

1. Meet and Greet on Tuesday
2. Enrollment up 13% over projections
3. East Ramapo Activists receive NAACP awards
4. Power of Ten editor receives HANA award

1) Meet and Greet on Tuesday

East Ramapo Activist Betty Carmand will be presenting her vision for the future of the Town of Ramapo and introducing her team of Preserve Rockland candidates to the public on Tuesday, October 22, at 7:00 PM at the Galaxy Restaurant, 42 N. Main Street in Spring Valley. All are welcome to this free informational event, which includes buffet and light refreshments, music, raffles, networking and VIP guests.

2) Enrollment up by 13% over projections

When the board started to close schools they claimed that in 2013 there would be just 7,289 students. There are now 8,238 students in East Ramapo schools. That is 949 more students in two less schools that what was projected. Watch the following video as the superintendent doesn't want to say the classrooms are overcrowded, he just says they are very full. Is he fooling you? The classes are so full that this year some children are sharing desks!

Watch the video here http://youtu.be/RlowauAb0r8

Message courtesy of the East Ramapo Underground

3) East Ramapo Activists receive NAACP awards

This year the Spring Valley NAACP has chosen to honor Micheal Miller with the William "Bill" Darden Education award.  Micheal is one of the strongest advocates for quality public education in East Ramapo.

The Spring Valley NAACP will also present the Unsung Hero award to public school activist Emilia White.  Emilia has become well known for holding the school board to task and refusing to back down as they illegally tried to prevent taping of their public meetings.

The NAACP will present these awards at their Annual Fall Gala on Friday November 1st at 7PM at the Colonial Inn, 545 Tappan Road Norwood, New Jersey. Tickets are available at 845-362-6227 or email spvalleynaacp@aol.com

4) Power of Ten editor receives HANA award

HANA (the Haitian American Nurses Association) will be honoring Steve White at their 5th Annual Scholarships and Awards Dinner which will be held on October 26, 2013 at 8:00 PM at the Colonial Inn, 545 Tappan Road Norwood, New Jersey.

Tickets are available at 856-641-6672 or email rocklandhana@yahoo.com