In an effort to solve the long standing funding problems which impact negatively on East Ramapo students, Community United for Formula Change is petitioning Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to enact a formula change that will recognize the unique demographics of the East Ramapo Central School District and will allocate funding accordingly. Community United for Formula Change is comprised of community leaders, educators and activists, representing all elements of this ethnically diverse school district who have come together to enact positive changes that will benefit the students of all East Ramapo.

Current state aid formulas allocate funds to school districts based on the number of students registered in public schools relative to property values in the area, creating significant problems for the ERCSD. With private school students outnumbering their public school counterparts by a ratio of three to one, Albany currently ranks East Ramapo as one of the state’s wealthiest districts, when in fact, over 75 percent of students in the district qualify for free or reduced lunches based on their family incomes. As a result, East Ramapo students are currently being underserved by Albany, creating tremendous financial shortfalls and continuous tensions within this racially diverse school district.

Community United for Formula Change is asking the public, even those who live outside the East Ramapo Central School District, to sign their petition in an effort to end the current financial inequities and, by extension, alarming divisiveness that have long plagued the district.

Additionally, people are encouraged to contact elected officials by phone or email and ask them to enact a formula change that will serve the needs of this unique school district to provide a better education for its students.

To sign petition, click HERE or search www.change.org for “Change Formula for the East Ramapo Central School District.”

Below is contact information of key elected officials for those who cannot sign the online petition:

Dean Skelos, Republican Senate Leader
[email protected]
518-455-3171

Andrew Stewart Cousins, Democratic Senate Leader
[email protected]
518-455-2585

Jeff Klein, Independent Conference Leader
[email protected]
518-455-3595

State Senator David Carlucci
[email protected]
518-455-2991

Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver
[email protected]
518-455-3791

Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee
[email protected]
518-455-5118

Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski
[email protected]
518-455-5735