Assemblyman Aron Wieder Challenges Board Of Regents During Interview

By Idy Perl

Assemblyman Aron Wieder challenged a candidate for the NYS Board of Regents during a recent interview and demanded answers for his constituents in the East Ramapo School District. 

Wieder began by asking the board members what he should tell his constituents who have lost trust in the state education department, and especially in Commissioner Rosa, who ordered the controversial tax hike to cover the school district's $20 million deficit, only for a $30 million surplus to be found shortly thereafter. 

"I can assure you that every other day I get another call from a constituent asking when they will get their money refunded in lieu of the district finding the $30 million," Wieder said. "But the real question is a much bigger question; how do we restore that trust when we have the state ed on one hand saying that the district has a deficit of $20 million, and the state ed and the monitors then saying literally a couple months later that the district has a surplus of $30 million?"

He went on to say that those in the 97th Assembly District felt that they didn't have a voice and weren't listened to during the state education department's recent statewide listening tour. The purpose of the tour was to hear the concerns and get feedback and input from residents across the state, but Wieder said that those in the 97th Assembly District felt a lack of genuine engagement and interest.  It only served to further frustrations and concerns about the willingness of the state education department to fix the issues that are top of mind to constituents. 

Wieder ended his statement by urging the board candidate, if appointed, to focus on rebuilding trust and transparency with the communities they serve. He emphasized his commitment to always continue advocating for his constituents and to hold the state education department responsible for their actions.