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School board decisions affect our children's education and the well-being of our entire community. Our trustees can best represent their constituents when residents take the time to observe their Board in action, express their opinions, and raise questions. We encourage your participation in this uniquely democratic process.

How You Can Participate
 

     Community residents are invited and encouraged to attend and speak at all regular meetings and public hearings, and to attend all other meetings of the Board and its committees, except those held in executive session as authorized by the Freedom of Information Act. Speakers may address the Board at regular meetings during the agenda item on oral communications. Additionally, views may be aired on specific agenda items when they come before the Board for action, but prior to Board discussion on the topic.
 

    To address the Board, you must submit a request to the District Clerk on a speaker's request card, copies of which may be found at the podium in the boardroom. Those recognized by the President may address the Board. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three minutes. If reading from a prepared statement, a copy should be given to the District Clerk.
 

    If you have concerns about your child or other school-related matters, you are asked to first try to resolve them at the level most directly involved-usually the classroom teacher or school principal. Any charges and/or complaints to the Board must be made in writing and signed and must be presented to the Board President or District Clerk. Such matters will not be discussed at any open meeting of the Board.

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Meet Your Board Trustees

     Nathan Rothschild, President of the Board of Education, is a resident of Monsey, is a fire commissioner for the Monsey Fire District, an active firefighter, and a member of the initial Rockland County Hazardous Materials team. Mr. Rothschild is currently Executive Senior Vice President of Stromberg Group, a promotional company for luggage, umbrellas, and handbags. This, his fourth term, expires in 2008.

     Stephen Price, Vice President of the East Ramapo Board, is a resident of Chestnut Ridge. A professional engineer by training, he is a manager for a general contracting firm specializing in infrastructure and energy projects worldwide. Mr. Price has been active in several community organizations. This, his fifth consecutive term, expires in 2007.

    Richard Stone, a Monsey resident, has lived in East Ramapo for 30 years. His two children attended East Ramapo through middle school. Mr. Stone has been a mechanical and industrial engineer, contractor, and real estate broker. He is a member of the Town of Ramapo Planning Board, and has served on numerous other town committees. Mr. Stone has been a Rockland track-and-field official for over 10 years.  This, his first term, expires in 2006.

   Gabriel Tenembaum, MD, a resident of Monsey, is a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist in Rockland.  Dr. Tenembaum is a parent, a triathlete in training, and is interested in educational matters and the well-being of all students' mental, physical, and spiritual development.  In that light, he looks forward to contributing to the enhancement of education of all children in East Ramapo.  This, his first term, expires in 2007. 

    Mimi Calhoun, a resident of Pomona, is a psychotherapist and volunteer mediator.  Her twins graduated from Ramapo last year.  She has been a leader in both the PTA and on the District-wide Shared Decision-Making Team. She is also President of the Board of Directors of the Rockland Conservatory of Music.  In 2001, she earned the NYS Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.  Her current term expires in 2007.

    David Resnick, MD, (biography coming soon) This, his first term, expires in 2008.

    Steven Rosenstock, (biography coming soon) This, his first term, expires in 2008.

    Solomon Akerman, (biography coming soon) This, his first term, expires in 2009.

    Akiva Feinsod, (biography coming soon) This, his first term, expires in 2009.

Your Board's Philosophy

The East Ramapo Board is firmly committed to providing the finest education, in conjunction with the most prudent fiscal and management practices; to supporting new programs and proposals which help increase the abilities of the professional staff; to seeking alternative sources of funding and financing of public education; and to securing the greatest number of educational services and opportunities for all.

To provide a framework and guidance for its actions in continuing to provide a superior education, the Board subscribes to a philosophy, condensed here:

"We believe that our schools should help each individual develop to his fullest potential in the hope that he may contribute to society with dignity and self-respect."

"We believe that toward this end, the schools should help each student acquire knowledge, skills, a fuller sense of responsibility to himself and others, a realistic approach to planning for educational and vocational goals, a keener understanding of the principles of sound physical and emotional health, and an awareness and appreciation of a great range of aesthetic values."

"We believe that as we evaluate each person's development, our assessment should reflect a respect for his individual characteristics and a desire to guide rather than to judge him."

"We believe that every person is entitled to informed and sympathetic guidance as he works toward educational, vocational, personal, and social goals; that such guidance is most effective when there is cooperative spirit among school, home, and community, in which all recognize a mutual responsibility and accept the person's inherent capabilities and limitations, and affirm the individual's right to the major role in the selection of his goals."

Your Board's Responsibilities

East Ramapo is governed by a Board of Education composed of nine members elected by the community, each for a term of three years. As a legal arm of the government of  the State of New York, the board is responsible for: