Below is an email from Mimi Calhoun, outgoing East Ramapo School board member. What they are dealing with in East Ramapo is criminal; their school district has been taken over by a hostile element that is trying to dismantle it piece-by piece. Working-class families who live in the area are being robbed of their future. There will be a school board election in May and hopefully enough voters will go to the polls help mitigate the influence of this hostile element, but that won’t happen unless we all chip in. Please do whatever you can to help them.
Dear Friend,
As an East Ramapo School District parent and a school board member who has served two terms, I am more apprehensive than ever before about the future of our district. Whether or not you live in the district, what happens to the East Ramapo students impacts all of us in Rockland.
While I am not seeking a third term, I ask you to help elect three strong candidates who are running on May 11th: Suzanne Mercer Young, Stephen Price, and Antonio Luciano. This election is nothing less than a turning point where the public school community could lose all of its representation on the school board. This would be totally unacceptable! People from the public school community understand the programs students need in order to thrive in our increasingly challenging world; they will fight to maintain the crucial instructional services which are so vital for our students. East Ramapo is the only high needs, low resource district in our county; our students who face the greatest hardship are being hurt disproportionally. Proposed cuts by the board will result in termination of proven programs, essential services, and overcrowded classrooms—not a rosy future a district where 2/3 of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. East Ramapo students must have access to the same programs that enable students in other Rockland districts to excel.
With your help we can maintain balance in East Ramapo. Otherwise we face a future where members of the private school community will occupy every seat on the board, leaving the public school without any voice. It is not my intent to suggest that members of the private school community do not have a place on the board, but with total control by the private sector, the public school community risks becoming completely disenfranchised. This is a winnable election, but only if turnout in the East Ramapo public school community is high. As with any election, getting out the vote can only be achieved with funding and volunteers.
A check for $25, $50–or more if you can–will cover the enormous expenses a campaign like this requires. Please make out checks to: “Gordon and Gordon” and mail to me, Mimi Calhoun, 36 Dogwood Lane, Pomona, NY 10970.
Your time is equally valuable. We have a record one-hundred volunteers from East Ramapo knocking on doors and making phone calls. To win we need at least two hundred more volunteers. Only one afternoon or evening to talk to voters at their doors or on the phone will make an enormous difference. The Door-to-Door campaign is taking place from now until May 9. The major push for the phone bank will be the last four days before the vote: from May 7 – 10. Anyone can sign up to volunteer on our website: www.poweroften.us I am happy to help you find the right volunteer niche and answer any questions. Please call me anytime at 845-354-8838 or email me at mkc2@mac.com.
East Ramapo students need everyone’s help in order to enable the public school community to have a voice on the East Ramapo school board. Your interest and willingness to help out will be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!!
Mimi Calhoun
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