Enacts the East Ramapo central school district oversight act

Summary of provisions

Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the East Ramapo Central School District Oversight act.

Section 2. Provides definitions for this act.

Section 3. Requires the Governor to appoint a state monitor within sixty days following the effective date of this act The monitor shall be a non-voting, ex-officio member of the school board, who shall attend executive sessions of the board and shall have access to any necessary documents and records to carry out his or her duties.

Section 4. Describes the powers of the monitor who, which include but are not limited to the ability to file a written objection to a decision or act by the board of superintendent if the monitor finds that the decisions is in violation of state or federal law. Furthermore the monitor then has the ability to appeal to the State Education Department, if the monitor feels that the board or superintendent has not adequately addressed the concerns raised in the written objection. Additionally the monitor may apply to the hearing officer requesting a stay of board action.

The monitor can also hold public hearings or forums on school district matters and he or she can conduct any relevant studies, reports and reviews of any state laws or rules and regulations as they relate to the district matters, including state and local education funding.

Section 5. Describes the duties of the monitor which include but are not limited to developing a strategic academic and fiscal improvement plan within one year from the date of the appointment. This plan shall include the establishment of benchmarks and measurable objectives and identify strategies to address areas where improvements are needed in the district, including but not limited to its financial stability, academic opportunities and outcomes, education of students with disabilities, education of English language learner, community relations and board governance practices.

Section 6 Describes the enhanced fiscal by the state comptroller The school board will submit a proposed budget for the next.school year to the comptroller no later than thirty days before the date scheduled for a proposed budget vote.

The Comptroller will examine the budget to ensure that the fiscal and operation needs of the school district are being met including, but not limited to, that sufficient funding is being allocated to students residing within the school district. Additionally the Comptroller will have the authority to consult with the State Education Department in reviewing prior years approved budget plans to ensure that the proposed budget plan is seeking to improve course offering and extracurricular activities within the school district.

The Comptroller will then present findings to the board's proposed budget vote and the school board shall work to amend the proposed budget to conform with the comptroller's findings.

This monitor shall provide oversight of the educational and fiscal policies practices, programs and decisions of the East Ramapo Central School District, the board of education and the superintendent.

Section 8. Academic Improvement Program. The East Ramapo Central School District, shall be eligible to receive an academic improvement grant of five million dollars beginning in the 2015-16 school year and each year thereafter subject to the provisions of the paragraph.

The school district shall submit an academic improvement plan that includes but is not limited to the addition of advance placement programs, academic intervention programs, full day kindergarten, after school programming and other education programs, by August 1, 2015 and year thereafter. The Commissioner of the State Education Department shall approve or disapprove the academic improvement plan by August 15, 2015 and each year thereafter. If such plan is disapproved by the commissioner the commissioner shall allow the school district fifteen days to resubmit their academic improved program plan at which time the commissioner shall approve the resubmitted by or define the plan for the district, which they must implement.

Section 9. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 30, 2018

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 four 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 in which this legislation seeks to address.

By providing necessary check and balance to the board and superintendent that protect students of the district through enhanced fiscal oversight by the State Comptroller and the appointment of a State Monitor by the Governor who has the authority to raise

objections to decisions or acts by the superintendent or board and an appeals process to ensure that those objections are being addressed.

Furthermore, 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 crucial oversight.

Additionally, this bill provides for the creation of a $5 million Academic Improvement Program which the district is eligible to apply for, subject to the district submitting a plan to the State Education Department which must be approved or disapproved, which includes but is not limited to the addition of advanced placement programs, academic intervention programs.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 30, 2018