[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/

[poweroften] Beloved Educator Passes; Fight for Justice Goes On!

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Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Beloved Educator Pedro Santana has Passed Away
2. Rockland Journal News Editorial in favor of NY State Intervention
3. Ellen Jaffee Delivers Her Strongest Message Yet
4. Advocates for Justice Needs Your Help

1) Pedro Santana

Pedro Santana has lost his fight with cancer. During his brief tenure in East Ramapo he touched many lives.  I was proud to call him my friend.  The quality I like to think made him so unique was his courage to do the right thing. I try to be more like Pedro every day.  Pedro is survived by his wife, Angie, and their two children, Alexa and Hudson. A memorial service, will be held May 13 at 6 p.m. at the Lafayette Theater in Suffern.

2) Editorial Supports Intervention

Rockland Journal News: Cuomo can help East Ramapo

According to the editor of the Journal News Governor Cuomo "can champion a common-sense legislation that would authorize the Department of Education to intervene in chronically underperforming school districts."

3) Our NY State Assembly Member Ellen Jaffee delivers her strongest message yet

Capital New York: Lawmaker urges Cuomo to intervene in East Ramapo

According to the article, the legislation supported by Assembly Member Jaffee and endorsed by the Journal News, the same legislation written by the NY State Education Department and that 6152 people signed a petition for, is being opposed by the NY State School Board Association.  You can tell NYSSBA to stop blocking help for East Ramapo by following this link: NYSSBA: Help Save East Ramapo

4) Advocates for Justice needs your help

Thanks to many generous donors, Advocates for Justice raised over $7,000 at the 'Breakfast for Justice' event last month. Thank you to all of those who gave. However, there is still much work to be done and funds are truly needed. 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/

 

[poweroften] Clergy Group to Cuomo: East Ramapo Governance is Broken!

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Power of Ten Update

In This Issue:

1. Rockland Clergy Call on Gov. Cuomo to Intervene
2. Judge sides with East Ramapo over Yeshivas, but board votes to 'settle', awarding millions in credit.
3. Play about East Ramapo opens to packed rooms, two more showings coming up
4. Honor Society Induction on Thursday
5. Advocates for Justice needs your help!

1) Rockland Clergy Call on Gov. Cuomo to Intervene

The Announcement of the formation Rockland Clergy for Social Justice and their call for Gov. Cuomo to intervene in East Ramapo has been covered widely in the media:

East Ramapo Underground: video here: http://youtu.be/eX92l9t9AYM
The next East Ramapo Underground Radio Show is this Friday, April 11, 2014 @ 10 o'clock on WRCR-1300AM.

The Journal News: New clergy group asks Cuomo to fix East Ramapo schools

The New York Times: A School Board That Overlooks Its Obligation to Students

The Jewish Week: East Ramapo Schools Fight

News 12: Religious leaders ask state to take over East Ramapo school district

The Commentator: Our Education Problem

JTA: Orthodox group Uri L'Tzedek joins protest against mostly haredi N.Y. school board

The group plans to visit Albany and hopes to meet the Governor face to face later this month.

One member of the group, Uri L'Tzedek (Awaken to Justice), has created an online petitionfor Jewish Citizens to support the mission of the group.

2) Judge sides with East Ramapo over Yeshivas, but board votes to 'settle', awarding millions in credit.

As reported by the Journal News Judge sides with East Ramapo on Colton rent credit dispute, "The East Ramapo school district doesn't owe $1 million to two private Orthodox Jewish schools that lease the Colton Elementary property and want to buy it, a judge says."

However, at the last board meeting, the school board voted to "settle" with the schools, awarding not just the whole amount the judge just said they didn't owe but also other credits totaling over $2.5 million dollars. East Ramapo ready to grant credit in school's sale.

The East Ramapo board's "desire to resolve and settle … to avoid the risk, uncertainty, continued expenses and inconvenience" when it comes to ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools and families presents a stark contrast to the legal stance they have taken towards public school parents and the state education department.  They file appeals when they lose and appear willing to spend any sum when facing public school advocates in court. But when the opponent is a yeshiva even when the judge has said they don't have to pay, they settle!!!

3) Play about East Ramapo opens to packed rooms, two more showings coming up

As reported in the Journal News 'East Ramapo' play aims to help ease friction in district , The new play by Mark Judelson has been a big hit.  You have two more chances to catch it, at CEJJES in Pomona (Directions) this Saturday at 2 PM, and at the Kurtz Center in Spring Valley on April 28 at 7:30 PM.

4) Honor Society Induction on Thursday

On Thursday, April 10th at Ramapo High School from 7-9 pm is the "Induction for the National Honor Society". Congresswoman Nita Lowey will attend. Let us show Congresswoman Lowey that we care about our kids by attending this event. – (Thanks to Carole Anderson for this message)

5) Advocates for Justice needs your help

Thanks to many generous donors, Advocates for Justice raised over $7,000 at the 'Breakfast for Justice' event last month.  Thank you to all of those who gave.  However, there is still much work to be done and funds are truly needed.  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/

[poweroften] Rockland Clergy for Social Justice Calls for Gov. Cuomo to Intervene in East Ramapo

Power of Ten Update

Special Issue:

Rockland Clergy for Social Justice will hold a press conference on Tuesday, April 8 at noon, at the First Baptist Church located at 3 Hoyt Street in Spring Valley, NY. More than 90 rabbis, ministers, pastors and imams from Rockland County will be calling for Gov. Cuomo to intervene in the governance of the East Ramapo School District.

Speakers will include Rev. Weldon McWilliams IV, PhD of the First Baptist Church in Spring Valley; Rabbi Adam Baldachin of the Montebello Jewish Center; Rabbi Ari Hart of Uri L'Tzedek (Orthodox Social Justice); Pastor Joel Michel of the French Speaking Baptist Church in Spring Valley, and Azeem Farooki of the Islamic Center of Rockland.

The East Ramapo Central School District board has reduced services to students, most of whom are African-American, Haitian American and Hispanic. According to Pastor Joel Michel of the French Speaking Baptist Church Spring Valley: "The lives of our children are in peril. East Ramapo public school governance is broken. We need Governor Cuomo to address this tragedy now."

The school board is under investigation for diverting public funds to segregated religious schools. To Hazel N. Dukes, President, New York State Conference NAACP, it is a matter of equal treatment for all.  She says "It is time for Governor Cuomo to act on behalf of East Ramapo public school children ensuring their right to an appropriate New York State education comparable to their peers in other Rockland County school districts"

The East Ramapo board has ignored NY State Education Department directives concerning its improper practices in violation of NY State and Federal law. Rabbi Adam Baldachin of the Montebello Jewish Center framed the issue as a moral obligation: "We believe that all of our children have the right to an educational experience which sets them up for a successful future. It is upon us as clergy members to make sure that this moral right is granted. We cannot be silent while students in the East Ramapo School District are denied the right to thrive".

The East Ramapo board members are often identified in the media by their Orthodox Jewish religion, but in fact they are mostly businessmen involved in real estate (as reported by the Journal News).  Rabbi Ari Hart, co-founder of Uri L'Tzedek, (Orthodox Social Justice) explains that in the Jewish religious tradition "We are deeply concerned about the well-being of all children, from all religious, races and cultures in Rockland County. That is why we are calling on Governor Cuomo to intervene and help make a better Rockland County school system for all."