NYCLU 3/15: Push to Reject the Private School Tax Credit

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Action Alert   Protect public education: Reject the private school tax credit   As New York’s political leaders are negotiating the state’s education budget, a proposal pushed by charter schools and the Catholic Church would give huge tax breaks to people and corporations that donate money to private, parochial and charter schools.   Providing tax credits to education “investors” represents a bold step toward the further privatization of public education in New York – in effect, transferring hundreds of millions of tax dollars to sectarian schools and charter schools.      This tax credit scheme would be a disaster for public education. Funding for public schools has been slashed since the 2008 fiscal crisis – this scheme would siphon funding from schools that are already operating on a subsistence budget. Moreover, this proposal would undermine the separation of church and state by allowing taxpayer money to support religious schools.

The Jewish Week 3/11/15: Bid For Secular Ed in Yeshivas Goes to Court

 Bid For Better Secular Ed In Yeshivas Heading Toward Court

After ed officials ignore requests for oversight nonprofit looks for plaintiffs, puts up new billboard.

03/11/15   Amy Sara Clark   Staff Writer

Yaffed’s current billboard, in the heart of Williamsburg. Courtesy of Yaffed

 

Failing to get a response from city and state officials, an organization pushing for better secular education in charedi yeshivas is gearing up to bring the issue to court.     Read more…

 

Journal News 3/15/15: NAACP Supports Oversight Bill

Letter: NAACP leaders support East Ramapo oversight

12:07 a.m. EDT March 15, 2015

We would like to commemorate this month’s 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama with our gratitude for a new example of principled courage: that of 12 Rockland County legislators who have urged Albany to pass a bill for state oversight of the East Ramapo public schools.      Read more…

Journal News 3/13/15: Rockland Legislators Back E. Ramapo Oversight Bill

Rockland lawmakers back East Ramapo oversight bill

Mareesa Nicosia, mnicosia@lohud.com 12:39 p.m. EDT March 13, 2015

Twelve legislators signed a Tuesday letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo urging passage of the bill that would authorize rare state intervention in the troubled school district.

Despite a campaign against a state oversight proposal for the East Ramapo school district by the Rockland County Legislature’s majority leader, most of his fellow legislators are pledging their “unequivocal support” for the measure.

Read more…

Journal News 3/8/15: Zebrowski Explains E. Ramapo Bill

View: Zebrowski explains basics of East Ramapo bill

Ken Zebrowski 12:05 a.m. EST March 8, 2015

Recently, Sen. David Carlucci, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee and I formally introduced our East Ramapo Oversight Bill (A5355/S3821). Since the bill’s introduction, much of the Rockland community has rallied behind our oversight system. However, others have visited Albany, misconstruing the bill and lobbying against its passage.       Read more…

Journal News Editorial 3/6/15: Johnson the Right Choice for Board of Regents

Editorial: Johnson a smart choice for Regents

A Journal News editorial 2:43 p.m. EST March 6, 2015

Judith Johnson is a smart choice to represent the Lower Hudson Valley on the state Board of Regents. But she’ll have to ask tough questions and build support to get things done.

If the Lower Hudson Valley wanted a representative on the state Board of Regents who knows local schools from the inside, it looks like they got her.

Lawmakers from the 9th Judicial District have endorsed Judith Johnson, one of the region’s best-known educators, to succeed Harry Phillips as the regional representative on the board, which sets education policy. New Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has agreed to support Johnson, which makes it a formality that the Legislature will choose her next week for a five-year term.

Read more…

Journal News 3/6/15: Judith Johnson Picked for Board of Regents

Judith Johnson picked for Board of Regents

Mareesa Nicosia, mnicosia@lohud.com 2:45 p.m. EST March 6, 2015

Judith Johnson, former superintendent of Peekskill and Mount Vernon school districts, has been named to succeed longtime Lower Hudson Valley representative Harry Phillips on the state Board of Regents.     Read more…

The Journal News 2/20/15: E. Ramapo Oversight Bill Released

East Ramapo oversight bill gives monitor veto power

Mareesa Nicosia, mnicosia@lohud.com 3:50 p.m. EST February 20, 2015

NY legislators Jaffee, Zebrowski, Carlucci unveil legislation to give monitor broad power

A bill proposed by Rockland County’s state lawmakers would empower a monitor appointed by the state education commissioner to override decisions by the East Ramapo school board and superintendent.      Read More…

Journal News Editorial 2/20/15: E. Ramapo Needs Oversight and More Funding

Editorial: Guidance for East Ramapo, then aid

A Journal News editorial 2:25 p.m. EST February 20, 2015

A bill has been introduced in the New York Legislature to provide fiscal guidance for the East Ramapo school district.

The proposal is dramatic – and it is needed. The legislation hews to a report issued by a special fiscal monitor, Hank Greenberg, who was appointed last year by the state Education Department and supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Read more…

Sabrina Charles-Pierre, Nataisha Morales and Steven White Running for E. Ramapo School Board

On May 19, 2015 three local ERCSD residents will run for election to fill vacant seats on the School Board.  This will be a challenge to the actions of the existing Board in redirecting public funding to private yeshivahs in the district.  If you live in the ERCSD, please be sure to get out and vote for Nataisha Esperanza Morales, Sabrina Charles-Pierre and Steven White, all of whom have deep connections to the District and want to create a better public educational system  for East Ramapo children.