Relates to supplementary funding for dedicated programs for public school students in the East Ramapo Central School District

Title of bill

An act relating to supplementary funding for dedicated programs for public school students in the East Ramapo central school district; providing an appropriation therefor; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to appoint up to three state monitors to the East Ramapo Central School District and provide supplementary funding for the public school students.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 is the Legislative Intent

Section 2: Definitions

Section 3: Requires the commissioner of Education to appoint up to 3 state monitors for the East Ramapo Central School District.

Section 4: Describes the duties of the monitors.

Section 5: Describes the long term strategic improvement plan and comprehensive expenditure plan that the East Ramapo Central School District must complete to be eligible to receive funds from the State Education Department for the reimbursement of approved expenditures on services to improve and enhance the educational opportunities of students attending the public schools.

Section 6: Describes the fiscal and operational oversight powers of the commissioner

Section 7: Describes the process of complying with the comprehensive expenditure plan in the event of a reduction in budget appropriations

Section 8: Effective Date

Justification

Over the course of many years, there have been dramatic changes in the demographics in the town of Ramapo. The number of residents in the town has dramatically increased, swelling the size of the East Ramapo Central School district to over 30,000 students. Nearly, 2/3 of those students do not, however attend the public school system. In 2015 the State Education Department, pursuant to its powers and duties, appointed three monitors to the district. In order to continue moving the dialogue in the right direction, with the ultimate goal of improving the outcomes of all students within the district, the appointment of monist should continue. It is the expectation that such legislation will help the district continue moving forward and may be extended as necessary. This legislation, which has received general support from the school board and the community as a whole, continues the appointment of monitors in the East Ramapo Central School District.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

$3 million

Effective date

This act shall take effect on July 1, 2016 and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 30, 2017.