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East Ramapo School District Needs Oversight

Author of a letter to state education department about the East Ramapo School District was disappointed that Gov. Andrew Cuomo did not address the situation during his speech in Nanuet on Tuesday.

 

Dear Editor:

This letter was sent to Nicolas Storelli-Castro, Director of Governmental Relations. 

Thank you for your response of Feb. 5, 2013. Your enclosure certainly details what is expected of the ERCSD Board. as far as their fiscal obligations are concerned.

The bigger concern, which has not been addressed, is the total lack of interest by the Board for the education of the students in the district. You must be aware that shortly all 9 members of the Board will be Orthodox and Ultra-religious. Not one of the Board members has a single relative in the East Ramapo School system. The Board has eviscerated the entire school district. Money and books have been dispersed with dubious permission. Schools have been closed and “sold” to religious groups at highly questionable prices. If all of this is not thievery then I don’t know what is.

When a Board President stands in front of the parents and residents and states “If you don’t like it, LEAVE!” the frustration reaches a near boiling point. It is becoming more and more obvious to the residents that no one cares about them. The religious constituency is catered to and the voting bloc mentality is well known.  The voting irregularities that took place when school board elections were held are well known if not proven. People voted who did not live in Rockland. Some people voted more than once. Buses brought women from different areas to vote. “Poll-watchers” directed legitimate residents to “other” locations where they were misdirected again and finally gave up interest. 

The situation is a disgrace and no one seems to care other than the parents of the kids who are being shortchanged. How can you tolerate a school board that has NO concern for the students it oversees?  It is criminal.  Something must be done. Sometime in the future this entire debacle will be exposed and  fingers will be pointed at the people who could have done something, but did nothing.

Sincerely,
Mr. Sasha Bunchuk
Owner of Champion Day Camp
New City  

cc. J.King

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth S February 15, 2013 at 04:41 am
As a parent of two children who are suffering through the East Ramapo School District I want to thank you Mr. Bunchuk, everything you said is so accurately depressing. I feel as if all the protests and complaining are being purposely overlooked by Governor Cuomo and selfishly ignored by the Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox school board. They are catered to and are blatantly robbing the public school system of resources. I would like to enroll my sons in their school and then demand that they not teach him religion! They are stealing our buildings as well as overdeveloping everywhere with more educational institutes that we will further pay for. Fair is fair and no one seems to care. Maybe we should take a cue from the New York City bus drivers and keep our kids home until someone takes notice.
I think I will be writing a few of my own letters! Thank you for the inspiration. Elizabeth S.
Watchdog February 15, 2013 at 06:52 am
Their segregated schools are in apparent violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Perhaps the better course of action is to do exactly as you say, have the parents seek enrollment in their schools and when it is denied, contact the US Attorney and seek redress under the Civil Rights Act.
Don February 15, 2013 at 12:00 pm
People will also need to be weary of the county executive candidate that receives the bloc vote.
Jody Fox February 16, 2013 at 03:09 pm
JN article 2/14 says Elie Wizman, assistant superintendent for the Office of Special Student Services and Funded Programs, said that the problem with Special Education Placements is being addressed. Officials announced "plans to establish a committee of community stakeholders to create new classes and programs and expand existing programs". It will be interesting to see how many minorities or women will be invited into this stakeholders group. Nice that they expect to expand costs after decimating the public system.
Robert T February 20, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Amazing how Politicians turn a blind eye while the "Hasidic" school board has divirted millions to private schools while letting the public school system to rot in place
Don February 20, 2013 at 01:58 pm
Let's see what happens with this story which lohud.com already removed it from their site. It was their 2nd most popular story of the week, so I'm sure they got pressure from a politician. http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/national-news/internet-averse-haredi-schools-reaping-millions-federal-tech-funds

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