Authorizes the commissioner of education to appoint a state monitor to oversee the East Ramapo central school district and establishes the powers and duties of the state monitor

13 Co-sponsors

• Tony Avella
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Brad Hoylman-Sigal
• Liz Krueger
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• George Latimer
• Velmanette Montgomery
• Kevin S. Parker
• Bill Perkins
• James Sanders Jr.
• Diane J. Savino
• Toby Ann Stavisky
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S3821A

Title of bill

An act authorizing the commissioner of education to appoint a state monitor to oversee the East Ramapo central school district and estab- lishing the powers and duties of the state monitor; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would appoint a state monitor to the East Ramapo Central School District within sixty days following the effective date of this act.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Provides definitions.

Section 2. Requires the Commissioner of Education to appoint a state monitor for the East Ramapo School District, who will serve at the plea- sure of the commissioner;

Section 3. Describes the powers of the state monitor which include but are not limited to proposing of resolutions and overriding decisions by the board or superintendent if deemed necessary for the educational welfare of the students attending the district and/or the fiscal stabil- ity of the district;

Section 4. Describes the duties of the state monitor duties which include but are not limited to submission of a five year strategic plan for the district, attend all board meetings including executive session, supervise the fiscal and operational management and submit annual reports and updates;

Section 5. Describes the appeal process for state monitor decisions for the school board, they may appeal by petition to the commissioner in accordance with section three hundred eleven of the education law;

Section 6. Authorizes the commissioner to promulgate regulations and immediately take such other actions as necessary to implement the provisions of this act;

Section 7. Sets forth the time period of the appointment - a period of at least five years and the commissioner, in consultation with the Board of Regents, shall have the authority to extend the appointment for an additional period of time in intervals of one to five years, as deter- mined by the commissioner

Justification

On June 10, 2014 the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Education appointed a Fiscal Monitor to the East Ramapo Central School District located in Rockland County, New York to review the District's fiscal practices, conduct and history. Following a 4 'A month investigation which included interviews with District officials, teachers, students, PTA leaders, community stakeholders, clergy and many others as well as tours of the public and private schools, observation of classes, review of District records along with other documents a report was submitted to the New York Board of Regents and State Education Department on November 18, 2014. The Fiscal Monitor's report titled, "East Ramapo: A School District in Crisis," made six recommendations. This legislation addresses the first recommendation which stated, "Reform district's governance structure to provide necessary check and balance to the board and superintendent that protects public school students. At a minimum, there must be a vehicle to override, in real time, unreasonable deci- sions by the board and Superintendent and ensure that the District conducts its affairs in a transparent fashion." This legislation will do just that, by bringing together the entire East Ramapo Community to work towards a long term solution that will address the unique needs within the school district, as well as providing important oversight.

Prior legislative history

This is new legislation.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediate