Senator Bill Weber Demands Answers From NYSED At Press Conference

By Idy Perl

At his scheduled press conference this afternoon Senator Bill Weber, along with Rockland regional director of Agudath Israel of America Rabbi Shragi Greenbaum, along with other local officials, slammed the NYS Education Department for the $31.3 million surplus that was recently discovered. 

Weber demanded answers from NYSED Commissioner Betty Rosa for levying a tax increase of 4. 38% for the East Ramapo School District a few months ago. In addition, he demanded that the extra money be returned to taxpayers who are facing financial struggles due to the recent tax hikes, and to return some of the money to the local public schools who have been unable to provide proper services to their students due to a supposed lack of funds. 

The suddenly discovered surplus also raises questions about the financial oversight and monitoring that takes place in the NYSED and the need for accountability from the state.