Despite Years of Lead Contamination, NYSED Continues to Neglect East Ramapo Public Schools

ALBANY, NY – In response to the New York Regents’ announcement regarding their 2024 budget and legislative priorities, New York Civil Liberties Union Education Policy Center Director Johanna Miller and East Ramapo Central School District parents, Mery, Mayra, Sara, and Jesus, issued the following statements: 

“Once again, the New York State Education Department is failing to meet the urgent needs of East Ramapo students,” said NYCLU Education Policy Center Director Johanna Miller. “Whether it’s lead in the drinking water, slashes to vital academic programming, or cafeteria food making students sick, for far too long the local school board has forced East Ramapo students to endure neglected, underfunded schools that put their education, health, and safety at risk. NYSED must  provide adequate funding to support safe and healthy East Ramapo public schools and join students, parents, and advocates in calling on the Legislature to take over the school board.”

“The white majority school board is unwilling and unable to provide our children with a fair opportunity for education,” said Mery, Mayra, Sara, and Jesus, parents of students attending public schools in East Ramapo. “Nothing will get better unless they are replaced by a board that represents public school parents.”