Petition Aims to Change School Funding Formula

In an effort to solve the long standing funding problems which impact negatively on East Ramapo students, Community United for Formula Change is petitioning Gov. Cuomo and the state Legislature to enact a formula change that will recognize the unique demographics of the East Ramapo Central School District and allocate funding accordingly.  Community United for Formula Change is comprised of community leaders and educators, representing all elements of the ethnically diverse school district, who have wish to enact  positive changes that will benefit the students of all East Ramapo.

Current formulas allocate funds based on the number of students registered in public schools relative to property values in the area.  With private school students outnumbering public school students 3 to 1, Albany ranks East Ramapo as one of the state’s wealthiest districts, when in fact, over 75 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced lunches.  As a result, East Ramapo students are underserved, creating tremendous financial shortfalls and continued tension in this racially diverse school district.

Community United for Formula Change is asking the public, even those who live outside the East Ramapo Central School District, to sign their petition on change.org in an effort to end the current financial inequities and, by extension, alarming divisiveness that have long plagued the district.

People are encouraged to call or email elected officials and ask them to enact formula change that will serve the needs of this unique school district to provide better education for its students.

This article appeared in print on page 15 of the May 7th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.