School community divided over state education-ordered tax hike

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The East Ramapo School Board approved a more than 5% tax increase Wednesday night - but not without some members voicing their disapproval. "Under duress and under protest I vote yes,” said President Shimon Rose. The increase was ordered a few weeks ago by the state Education Department Commissioner Betty Rosa, who wrote that the boards approved 1% hike was "arbitrary, capricious and violative of education policy due to the ways in which it inequitably favors nonpublic school students at the expense of public school students." The commissioner then directed the board to obtain an additional 4.38% increase of the property tax levy to be exclusively used in support of its public schools. That brings it to 5.38%. The commissioner's order came as a result of a parents legal action that claimed the schools 1% increase budget failed to protect the health, safety and welfare of its public school students. "Yes, I'm the mother that did it because I'm frustrated over so many injustices,” said Ana Maeda, a parent with children in the district, who spoke out about her challenge ahead of the vote. "It's time to tip the scales in favor of our kids. It's time." Several other parents spoke. There was a divide between public and private school. Those News 12 heard from against the tax bump argue the state foundation aid formula needs to be changed to better benefit East Ramapo. There may be legal battles brewing to fight against the tax increase. Meanwhile, a statement from East Ramapo Central School District Superintendent of Schools Anthony DiCarlo said, "The increase in the tax levy will improve the quality of educational opportunities for our East Ramapo students and sets a solid foundation for which to build our future. All children deserve access to high quality teaching, supports and resources.” News 12 has not yet heard back from the districts school board nor state Education Department with a comment. "