$3M E. Ramapo plan OK; full-day K begins Oct. 6

The state education commissioner has approved the East Ramapo school district’s plan for using $3 million in state aid to create universal full-day kindergarten and restore arts programs in grades K-6, among other initiatives.

Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said Monday that she had given her blessing to the plan, and also said she would join state-appointed monitors Charles Szuberla and John Sipple at a public meeting to discuss the initiatives at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Rockland Community College's Cultural Arts Center, 145 College Road, Ramapo.

Full-day kindergarten and other programs will start Oct. 6, according to a district spokesperson.

The district conducted its own public hearing to receive community input on the expenditure plan on Sept. 7. The school board approved the plan on Sept. 13 and it was submitted to Elia on Sept. 20.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: East Ramapo: District details how it will spend $3M state aid

“These plans represent the district’s path forward to ensure progress continues and to ensure the educational rights of every East Ramapo student are met,” Commissioner Elia said in a statement. “Chuck Szuberla, John Sipple and Superintendent Wortham have worked as quickly as possible to put a long-term strategic academic and fiscal improvement plan in place that is both thorough and thoughtful. It continues the work already done to repair the trust of the East Ramapo community, while recognizing there is still work to do.”

The $3 million in supplemental funding was approved under a state oversight law that required the development of the strategic academic plan, as well as a comprehensive expenditure plan, in consultation with Szuberla.

In 2012, East Ramapo went from full-day to half-day kindergarten amid $14 million worth of budget cuts. Last year, two sections were added. Four new full-day kindergarten classes were included in the district's $224 million budget approved by voters in May.

Here's what's being proposed for the $3 million:

• $1.2 million to hire six monolingual kindergarten teachers and four bilingual kindergarten teachers.
• Up to 11 sections of full-day kindergarten would be created, depending upon the number of children who enroll.
• The bulk of kindergarten funding, $670,000, would go towards salaries, while the remainder would cover classroom materials, instructional technology and building adjustments to accommodate new classes.
• Restoring art, music, dance and theater classes for students in grades K-6 will cost around $1.7 million.
• The district aims to hire 12 teachers for arts instruction, the majority of whom were previously laid off and are on the preferred eligibility list (PELL).

The strategic plans can be found on the East Ramapo Central School District website.

Make your voice heard on East Ramapo:

• Those unable to attend Wednesday's public meeting can submit comments and feedback to Angeline Mentor, executive assistant to the superintendent, at amentor@ercsd.org.
• The education department also has created an electronic mailing list for East Ramapo students, parents, teachers, community members and other stakeholders to provide updates and share district-related information.
• To sign up for the mailing list, send an e-mail to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.NYSED.GOV. The body of the message should read: SUBSCRIBE EAST-RAMAPO Your Name (Example: SUBSCRIBE EAST-RAMAPO Jane Smith).

Twitter: @Bee_bob