Statement regarding the East Ramapo School District
Pearl River, NY -- (6/15/16) Tom DePrisco, candidate for the 38th Senate District in New York, today released the following statement:
Pearl River, NY -- (6/15/16) Tom DePrisco, candidate for the 38th Senate District in New York, today released the following statement:
"The proposed last-minute legislation (S8131 / A10723) that it is supposed to provide $3 million relief for the East Ramapo School District is a total disgrace and a slap in the face to every one of its public school students and teachers. This bill provides another tiny band-aid for a serious gaping and bleeding wound. This is even weaker than Senator Carlucci’s pathetic compromise bill proposed exactly one year ago. That failed legislation would have given East Ramapo $5 million per year for three years. This year’s proposal is taking a huge step backwards. Why? $14 million per year is required to restore the massive cuts made to public education programs in East Ramapo.
With a measly $3 million for ONLY one year, our elected officials in Albany expect the East Ramapo School District to: reduce class sizes; expand kindergarten programs; and provide more academic, enrichment, and extracurricular opportunities. In addition, the monitors assigned to East Ramapo will have even less authority than what was proposed last year.
As a seasoned school board member, I can honestly state that it is impractical and impossible to plan long-term enhanced academic programs without a long-term strategy and long-term sustainable funding. The children, parents, and teachers of East Ramapo will have to endure this process again next year. This is another lost opportunity for these public school students.
This is one of the reasons why I am running for the New York State Senate. This band-aid approach, compromises, and “kicking the can down the road” mentality will not suffice.
Resolute leadership, unwavering determination, and school board governance expertise is what I will bring to the table when I am up in Albany as a member of the New York State Senate."
Tom DePrisco is a resident of Pearl River. He serves as the Vice President of the Pearl River School District School Board and the Rockland County School Boards Association. For more information visit www.TomDePrisco.com.
###
With a measly $3 million for ONLY one year, our elected officials in Albany expect the East Ramapo School District to: reduce class sizes; expand kindergarten programs; and provide more academic, enrichment, and extracurricular opportunities. In addition, the monitors assigned to East Ramapo will have even less authority than what was proposed last year.
As a seasoned school board member, I can honestly state that it is impractical and impossible to plan long-term enhanced academic programs without a long-term strategy and long-term sustainable funding. The children, parents, and teachers of East Ramapo will have to endure this process again next year. This is another lost opportunity for these public school students.
This is one of the reasons why I am running for the New York State Senate. This band-aid approach, compromises, and “kicking the can down the road” mentality will not suffice.
Resolute leadership, unwavering determination, and school board governance expertise is what I will bring to the table when I am up in Albany as a member of the New York State Senate."
Tom DePrisco is a resident of Pearl River. He serves as the Vice President of the Pearl River School District School Board and the Rockland County School Boards Association. For more information visit www.TomDePrisco.com.
###
RSS Feed