[poweroften] Hillcrest Appraiser GUILTY!

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Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. GUILTY: Appraiser Sentenced in Hillcrest Elementary Sale
2. School Board votes to sell Colton, Hillcrest AGAIN!
3. Activist Threatened by School Superintendent
4. FUNraiser at Friendly's Restaurant August 21
5. Message from the Editor

1. GUILTY: Appraiser Sentenced in Hillcrest Elementary Sale

Back in 2010, the school board voted to sell Hillcrest Elementary School.  The sale was stopped by the Commissioner of Education and investigated by the NY State Attorney General. The appraiser was arrested last year and has now plead guilty and received his sentence in Clarkstown Justice Court.

The Journal News: E. Ramapo school sale: appraiser pleads to misdemeanor

Preserve Ramapo: "The Investigation Continues"

2. School Board votes to sell Colton, Hillcrest AGAIN!

Back in 2009, the district claimed that decreasing enrollment was the reason they wanted to sell schools. Since then, enrollment is up, with more than 1000 more students than the district had projected! Given the high demand of the private school sector for new space, and the limited supply of real estate in overbuilt Rockland, real estate values would be expected to skyrocket.  Why is the district selling off much needed classroom space at below market values? 

The Journal News: East Ramapo completes school sale to yeshiva tenants

The Journal News: East Ramapo: Board votes to sell Hillcrest school to yeshiva

3. Activist Threatened by School Superintendent

Trespassing wasn't considered to be a big deal for the East Ramapo school board or Superintendent, even when dozens of strangers were on school grounds during recess. However, now that one intrepid activist has taken his camera to document failures to maintain and secure our schools, they have decided that, in this case, trespassing is a problem. 

The Journal News: East Ramapo bans activist from schools

4. Class Action Lawsuit Continues, FUNraiser on August 21

Another fundraiser for Advocates for Justice has been organized by a Power of Ten Reader! 

This one will be at Friendly's Restaurant in Suffern, on Thursday August 21 from 8:00 – 10:30 PM.

Come join us at 15 N. Airmont Rd, Suffern NY for food and fun! 20% of all sales will be donated to A4J!!!

Friendly's phone number is 845-357-7444

Maybe you have a fundraising idea too? Contact A4J Executive Director Liz Turner at lturner@advocatesny.com; (212) 285-1400, Ext. 703) to share your idea!

If you're unable to attend but want to make a donation, go to www.poweroften.us and click on the Donate button.

5. Message from the Editor

In the 54 days since Governor Cuomo announced the appointment of a fiscal monitor for East Ramapo, the district has taken decisive action to complete the sale of two schools. By now, the monitor must know that: the Attorney General is continuing his investigation into previous attempts to sell school property; an appraiser hired by the district has plead guilty to filing false documents; and the Commissioner of Education previously found that "the board abused its discretion by hastily approving the sale of Hillcrest".

Now that Governor Cuomo has personally involved himself in the plight of East Ramapo, the course of events in the district is under his responsibility and on his watch. Just as we have thanked him for it promising action, we must hold him accountable for results. Education is a right guaranteed by the NY State Constitution, and the East Ramapo school board derives its power 100% from NY State. The school board has flouted the authority of the State Education Department; is evading oversight and undermining the authority of the fiscal monitor and the governor by pushing through real estate transactions before the monitor had even one month on the job. The Governor can stop this; if not now, when?

 

[poweroften] Clergy Applauds Cuomo, East Ramapo keeps abusive lawyer

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Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Clergy Applauds Cuomo for Appointing Monitor!!!
2. School Board Hires D'Agostino Again
3. Two upcoming fundraisers for Advocates for Justice

1) Cuomo Acts!!!

Rockland Clergy for Social Justice applauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch and Education Commissioner John King for their appointment of Mr. Henry Greenberg as state fiscal monitor for East Ramapo in a Community View in the Journal News: East Ramapo deserves fiscal monitor

The Power of Ten applauds them also!!!

Please call Governor Cuomo and thank him: (518) 474-8390

2) School Board Hires D'Agostino Again!?!?

The East Ramapo School Board faced hundreds of angry students last April chanting "D'Agostino Must Go!" after he verbally abused a student.  They did not even comment on the incident.  Three months later his associate was caught on camera hurling profanity at a parent.  The video went viral and public outrage included the media and elected officials. So the district announced that a transition to a new firm would take place.  One year later, after the worldwide scrutiny has died down, the board does the exact opposite of what they said they would do. The action brought quick condemnation from every level of civil society, but the East Ramapo school board appears to be insulated from any accountability for their actions, due to unwavering support from their 'bloc' vote. The system of local control of school governance usually works well to benefit the families and promote a better society through education, but East Ramapo shows this is not always the case.  

The Journal News Editorial: East Ramapo's lawyer games

3) Upcoming Fundraisers

The following fundraisers were organized by Power of Ten Readers.  Maybe you have a fundraising idea too? Contact A4J Executive Director Liz Turner at  lturner@advocatesny.com; (212) 285-1400, Ext. 703) to share your idea!

If you're unable to attend but want to make a donation, go to www.poweroften.us and click on the Donate button.

Frozen Yogurt Fundraiser:

DATE: Tuesday, July 29 from 5 to 8 p.m.

WHAT: Fundraiser to benefit Advocates for Justice – East Ramapo litigation. A percentage of all food and products sold on that day during that 3-hour window will be donated to Advocates for Justice. A representative from Advocates for Justice will be there to greet attendees and to answer questions. Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends for a tasty, healthy treat while supporting a wonderful non-profit.

LOCATION: Sweet Frog Connecticut
63 Hebron Avenue
Glastonbury, Connecticut 

ORGANIZER: Laurie Meotti, LaurieJMeotti@aol.com

ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE CONTACT: Liz Turner, lturner@advocatesny.com; (212) 285-1400, Ext. 703)

Guided Meditation Fundraiser:

Beginning on Sunday, August 3rd, and the first Sunday of each month, I will be meditating at F.O.R.. I hope you will come join me. I'll be offering a little guidance at the beginning, but mostly this will be an opportunity to meditate in silence with like-minded people. There will be no charge. Donations will go to a specific local activist group working for the environment, social justice and peace.

Blessings and peace,

Alan Levin
www.SacredRiverHealing.org

This August 3rd, donations will go to Advocates for Justice, a non-profit group working for the students of East Ramapo to get a fair shake and good education. 

Time/Date: 10 A.M. to Noon – August 3rd – Sunday (Come for all or part.)

Location: F.O.R., the Fellowship of Reconciliation, 521 No. Broadway, Nyack

 

[poweroften] Gov. Cuomo Acts for East Ramapo!!!

Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Cuomo Acts!!!
2. School Board turns down Lottery Money
3. Religious Camp and East Ramapo run afoul of zoning laws
4. Survey Results
5. Message from the editor

1) Cuomo Acts!!!

Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed Education Commissioner John King to appoint a fiscal monitor for East Ramapo School District.  According to the Rockland Journal News, the Governor said the monitor will "take a look at the accusations that have been made and give us an independent opinion" and Commissioner King said "The goal of a fiscal monitor is to look at how East Ramapo is using its resources, to make sure its use of resources is consistent with federal law, state law and is in the best interests of students." 

The Journal News: East Ramapo schools assigned state fiscal monitor

The Journal News: East Ramapo schools monitor has broad mission

News 12: Hank Greenberg appointed by Gov. Cuomo as fiscal monitor to East Ramapo School District

Please call Governor Cuomo and thank him: (518) 474-8390

2) School Board turns down Lottery Money

The Journal News: East Ramapo 'insulted' by early lottery aid deal

3) Religious Camp and East Ramapo run afoul of zoning laws

The Journal News: Religious camp preps East Ramapo site without permits

4) Survey Results

Thanks to all those who provided feedback about the direction of The Power of Ten.  The feedback was very helpful. One reader suggested that I keep the focus of the messages on East Ramapo, but also provide a page with links to other important groups and stories. This seems like a sensible compromise, and so I have added http://poweroften.us/links-and-events/ to the www.poweroften.us webpage.  To suggest a link or event, just send me a message at steve@poweroften.us (please send links to your item rather than text whenever possible).

5) Message from the editor

The news about the fiscal monitor is very welcome.  It is the direct result of YOUR activism, whether you signed a petition, made a call, wrote a letter, or came out to a rally.  Thank you! Special recognition must be given to the new organization "Rockland Clergy for Social Justice", which has just recently been to Albany to advocate for state oversight.

The reaction of the school board and Superintendent were as predicable as they were ridiculous. The Superintendent said "everything is perfect here" and "we have nothing to hide" (Journal News).  This is from the same district that refuses to provide certain documents to the NYS Attorney General as he investigates possible real estate fraud in the sale of an elementary school.

The aversion to oversight is a long practice of the East Ramapo Board.  Remember when they tried to stop videotaping of board meetings?  Now they are turning down $3.5 million dollars that could be used to restore programs such as Art, Music, Sports or Kindergarten, because they object to "an outside group of people" on an advisory board, apparently a reference to the requirement for a public school parent to be a member. 

Another group which has become infamous for aversion to oversight in East Ramapo are private religious schools. There were a number of well publicized cases last year in which local zoning authorities had to act on violations that endangered safety and negatively affected neighbors.  Now it seems that East Ramapo has teamed up with a private religious camp in avoiding oversight of swimming pool construction.

Where does it end?  It begins to end when you and I refuse to accept second class status.  Elections do not confer a privilege to oppress or dominate; they rather obligate a person or a group to serve. The purpose and the mission of a school board is to promote and ensure education, in its best and most beneficial form, for the children and the community.  They must guard the flame of knowledge and ensure that its light is shared by all. Even if the elected board is failing their responsibility, the light of knowledge is still shining. Justice is coming to East Ramapo – and YOU can make it happen! – Steve White, editor

[poweroften] Event Sunday: Collective Courage

Power of Ten Update

In this issue:

1. Event Sunday: "Collective Courage"
2. Power of Ten Survey

1) Collective Courage

Join CEJJES Institute for a conversation about taking back our economy through alternative economic development and action. Learn about creating a solidarity economy, and the different kinds of cooperative businesses around the country. See how these democratic community-based enterprises serve or can serve communities of color and low-income neighborhoods.

Join us in celebrating the publication of Jessica Gordon Nembhard's new book: Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice. Jessica Gordon Nembhard will talk about the strong but hidden history of Black cooperatives, and connections between the Black cooperative movement and the Civil Rights Movement.

In conjunction, we will be celebrating one of our founder's 93rd birthday!

Sunday at 2:00 pm

The CEJJES Institute

5 Cooper Morris Drive, Pomona, New York 10970

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1453575404887295/

or call (845) 362-8610

2) Power of Ten Survey

Over the last several years, Power of Ten has focused exclusively on issues related to East Ramapo schools. However, many readers have requested that I include other related issues such as general educational topics and local environmental issues which also affect our families and children. So, I am asking you to let me know if you would like to see these topics included in future editions of the Power of Ten newsletter. Please indicate your preference by filling out this survey: http://poweroften.us/issue-survey/

 

[poweroften] Rockland Clergy for Social Justice in Albany

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Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Rockland Clergy for Social Justice in Albany
2. Memorial for Pedro Santana May 13
3. Advocates for Justice Needs Your Help

1) Rockland Clergy for Social Justice in Albany

The organization "Rockland Clergy for Social Justice presented their case to the NY State Senate, Assembly, and the office of Governor Cuomo on April 30th in Albany.  The video is on the NY Senate Website: http://youtu.be/qqxq2NEDeZ8

2) Pedro Santana

The memorial service for Pedro will be held Tuesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. at the Lafayette Theater in Suffern.

3) Advocates for Justice needs your help

Education IS a civil right. Advocates for Justice is dedicated to protecting our children's civil rights. They are working tirelessly, but have limited financial resources. Your donation to Advocates for Justice is tax deductible and goes 100% to obtaining justice for the children and families of East Ramapo. All the information you need is at http://poweroften.us/donate/