Breaking: Senator Bill Weber Files Legislation To Solve The East Ramapo Central School District Funding Problem

By Rockland Daily Staff

Senator Bill Weber has filed legislation to solve the East Ramapo Central School District (ERCSD) funding issue. The “same as” bill has been filed in the Assembly by Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, making it the only legislation offered to solve this contentious issue in both houses of the New York State Legislature. 

The filing of the legislation comes one day after New York State's Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa has attempted to impose an additional 4.38% tax levy on the ERCSD. Voters recently approved a 1% budget increase in June.

"Democrats opened up this entire Pandora's box in 2021, enacting what he called 'historic legislation'. That legislation left the ERCSD to suffer under state monitors with veto power over an elected board of trustees. As a result of these feckless actions, we now have the Commissioner of Education vetoing the will of the voters, canceling their vote, and putting in her own tax levy,” said Senator Bill Weber. “This legislation provides a real solution to this contentious issue and will ensure the East Ramapo Central School District has the funding it needs to open in September and serve the public school students,” Weber added.

“Albany's unilateral tax levy hike on East Ramapo residents is a blatant overreach that undermines local control. This unacceptable action will not be tolerated,” said Assemblyman Karl Brabenec.

The Justification section of the memo for the legislation states:

The East Ramapo Central School District has experienced significant fiscal challenges in recent years. This bill would help alleviate these challenges by providing a one-time spin up of $20,000,000 of funding.

For years, the East Ramapo Central School District has been shortchanged due to New York’s outdated school aide formula by an estimated $20,000,000 per year, an amount nearly identical to the spin up money needed now.

The Legislative Intent section of the legislation states:

The  legislature hereby finds and declares that the East Ramapo central school district faces  a substantial  budgetary  shortfall  and  absent  legislative intervention,  the district is at risk of being unable  to  pay  its  staff,  and  students attending the public schools in the district will suffer. In recognition of this crisis, the legislature hereby provides the East Ramapo central school district with an accelerated payment of  twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) to provide the funds necessary for the district to meet its payroll obligations.

“It is incumbent on Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Heastie to immediately call a special session to take up this legislation to avoid the draconian tax increase that would be imposed on the district by the Commissioner of Education and resolve this crisis,” said Senator Bill Weber. 

This legislation also follows on the heels of Monday’s bipartisan public hearing on Foundation Aid hosted by Senator Weber. It is widely acknowledged that the foundation aid formula is deeply flawed and in its current form shortchanges the ERCSD $20,000,000 it is entitled to each year. 

“It is imperative the newly mandated evaluation of the Foundation Aid formula is completed in time to ensure the East Ramapo Central School District receives its proper and accurate funding for the 2025 - 2026 school year,” said Senator Bill Weber.