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East Ramapo special election set for February, will use a ward-based system for the first time

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“A federal judge today called an East Ramapo school board election for Feb. 2 using a ward system for the first time that would include three districts out of nine comprised mostly of minority voters.

The ward or single-member system would replace East Ramapo’s current at-large voting setup, which U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Seibel declared in May violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. [Read more…]

Ramapo’s Mike Parietti says he carries his principles as he runs for office, now Congress

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Watch the Parietti for Congress Biographical video here.

“Mike Parietti runs for elected office on his principles of good government and anti-corruption. He’s made his case to voters six times since 2007, falling short at the polls each time.

Now, the West Point graduate and former Suffern High School wrestling champion eyes Congress, running on a minor party line for the seat of retiring Nita Lowey representing Rockland and portions of Westchester County in the 17th Congressional District.

Parietti doesn’t have illusions of being the favorite to win the seat as he takes on progressive Democrat Mondaire Jones, a former Obama administration attorney raised in Spring Valley, and Republican Maureen McArdle-Schulman, a retired New York City firefighter. Parietti’s name will be found on the Serve America Movement SAM line on the lower end of the Nov. 3 ballot. [Read more…]

Rockland school openings

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The Journal News has posted the most recent opening plans by District.

“Nyack has become the latest of Rockland County’s eight public school districts to rejigger their learning plans to meet the challenges of COVID-19 guidelines and safety as the 2020-2021 academic year approaches.

Nyack announced Thursday that it would open this year with 100% remote learning, joining Pearl River, East Ramapo, South Orangetown, Suffern and Clarkstown in launching full distance learning for at least for some portion of September. [Read more…]

East Ramapo taps former Rochester administrator as interim superintendent

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“The East Ramapo school board has appointed an interim superintendent to step in when Deborah Wortham leaves in October to head up the Roosevelt school district on Long Island.

Raymond Giamartino, most recently a top administrator for the Rochester City Schools, was chosen as interim superintendent for the 2020-2021 school year. His appointment was announced at the tail end of an Aug. 18 school board meeting via Zoom. [Read more…]

Spring Valley again hires Anthony Mallia to serve as mayor’s top aide

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Anthony Mallia Ramapo Director of Building and Planning

Anthony Mallia arrest photo

“The Spring Valley Board of Trustees has hired felon Anthony Mallia on a six-month contract at $50,000 to serve at the pleasure of Mayor Alan Simon, an ally dating to their days with the Ramapo Building Department.

The decision marked the third time Mallia has become employed with the village since Simon won election to a four-year term as mayor in December 2017.

Mallia resigned as Ramapo building inspector in August 2017 as part of his guilty plea to felony charges involving undercharging contractors for permits and shortchanging taxpayers by $150,000. Mallia worked as chief building inspector for Simon at the Ramapo Building and Zoning Department. [Read more…]

East Ramapo Superintendent suggests firing teachers to pay $9 million legal bill

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Deborah Wortham and Yehuda Weissmandl Photo: Carucha L. Meuse/The Journal News

East Ramapo might have to fire dozens of teachers if the school district can’t find $9 million to pay the legal fees of NAACP attorneys for winning a voting rights challenge of the district in May, Superintendent Deborah Wortham said.

Wortham said “political, financial and practical” hurdles would need to be cleared to fund an award district attorneys say would be the largest ever in a voting rights case.

And if the money can’t be secured, Wortham said the district would be forced to consider cutting kindergarten, English, math and social studies teachers. [Read more…]

Nyack College property sold to Yeshiva of Viznitz for religious school

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“The Nyack College property will be bought by Yeshiva Viznitz for a religious school as the village awaits a summary of the Hasidic Jewish congregation’s plans for the property, Mayor Bonnie Christian said.

Christian confirmed the buyer’s identify during a Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night. She said she had few details other than the buyer’s lawyer informed the village earlier this month. The closing is scheduled for early August. [Read more…]

State review of private school instruction to keep going

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“It looks like the state Education Department’s long-delayed review of academic requirements for private schools will extend into next year.

The state Board of Regents put proposed regulations on the back burner in February so that the Education Department could continue discussions with the private-school community on what became one of the most volatile education issues in New York.

On Monday, the Regents, having largely dropped the matter because of the coronavirus crisis, said it will revive its review by holding six regional meetings across the state. The department will engage leaders of religious and other private schools, as well as public school district leaders who would be required to enforce the regulations that are still under consideration. [Read more…]