Preserve Ramapo

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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…]

East Ramapo superintendent hired by Long Island school district; budget revote up in air

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“East Ramapo schools Superintendent Deborah Wortham has announced that she will be leaving the district after being named superintendent of Roosevelt Union Free School District.

Wortham, who first became East Ramapo’s interim superintendent in 2015, had previously served as superintendent in the Long Island district from 2013 to 2015.

Her appointment was announced Tuesday night by Roosevelt. Around the same time, East Ramapo school district was holding its board meeting.

Wortham sent a letter of resignation to East Ramapo school board President Harry Grossman on Wednesday afternoon. [Read more…]

In the race to succeed Rep. Nita Lowey, Schleifer scores Hasidic bloc vote in Carlucci’s district

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Posted by Jacob Korbluh in the Jewish Insider June 22, 2020

“Former prosecutor Adam Schleifer, one of seven candidates vying to succeed Rep. Nita Lowey in New York’s 17th congressional district, nabbed the endorsement of a key voting bloc in Rockland County days before voters head to the polls in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Last week, Schleifer was endorsed by leaders of Kaser and New Square, two Hasidic enclaves in Rockland County, Jewish Insider has learned.

A campaign mailer obtained by JI touts Schleifer as the preferred candidate who is “endorsed by the rabbonim and community leaders.” [Read more…]

2020 Primary Election Endorsements

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Democratic and Republican Primaries–Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday June 23. Polls will be open Tuesday June 23, 6am to 9pm.

There are some important races on the ballot for the June 23rd primary that we would like to call your attention to. Many of you may have absentee ballots sitting on the kitchen counter that have not been completed. Perhaps this will prompt to you fill them out and get them postmarked by the Tuesday June 23rd deadline.
New York State Senate 38th District
There are primaries for the 38th District of the NY State Senate on both the Democrat and Republican lines. The choices are straight forward in both contests.
Republican
For the Republican line Bill Weber’s extensive life experience, professional acumen, and community involvement makes him a far better candidate than his lone opponent. Vote for
Weber in box 3B on the ballot.
Democrat
There are three candidates vying for state senate for the Democratic nod.  It’s apparent to us that Justin Sweet has the support of the Bloc and will get their vote on Tuesday. The two remaining candidates are Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and Eudson Francios. Of those two we believe Melnick is the smart move because he has the best chance of winning without the Bloc vote and has shown a willingness to stand up to the Bloc when it comes to issues regarding the public schools. Vote for Elijah in box 10A on the ballot.”

17th Congressional District
There are primaries on both sides of the aisle as well for the 17th Congressional District which encompasses all of Rockland County and a large portion of Westchester.

Republican
On the Republican side Maureen McArdle-Schulman is the clear choice. Her opponent lacks the requisite work and life experience that Maureen holds in abundance. Vote for her in box 1B on the ballot.

Democrat
The Democratic side of the Congressional contest is a bit more complicated. There are 8 candidates on the primary ballot, but it seems that the race has come down to only 4. David Carlucci and Adam Schleifer are deep in throes of an existential political struggle to get the Bloc vote and seem willing to move heaven and earth to get it. Neither can win without it. Scratch them both off your list.
That leaves two others.
Evelyn Farkas from Westchester earns an honorable mention as she is ethical, tough, and well qualified. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the mojo she needs to win this primary out right.
Mondaire Jones appears to be the strongest horse in the Democratic field. A product of the East Ramapo school system, it is hard to believe that Hassidic leaders would trust him to do their bidding in Congress. Unlike Farkas, however, Jones has a real shot of winning this one without the Bloc. Vote for Mondaire in box 2A on the ballot.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday June 23rd to be counted as valid.

Polls are open for in person voting on June 23rd from 6 am to 9 pm. However, be sure to check your polling location because many have been changed due to the pandemic. For a complete listing of polling locations follow this link: or go directly to the Board of Elections website here.

Thank you
Robert Rhodes
Chairman
Preserve Ramapo