Yisroel R.

At a recent East Ramapo school board meeting, board members delivered a public statement blasting state appointed monitors for rejecting their unanimous choice for superintendent, marking the second time a unanimously selected candidate has been blocked.

In a statement read by Board President Shimon Rose, the board said the decision came after a full search process in which the monitors were involved at every stage, yet did not raise any objections during the process and only rejected the candidate after the unanimous vote, without providing any explanation. The board said the process was followed in full, from start to finish, in accordance with all requirements.

The rejection drew particular frustration from board members because the vote itself was unanimous, reflecting strong agreement across a diverse board on the quality of the candidate. They also noted that a previous unanimously selected candidate was rejected in 2024, adding to concerns about how decisions are being made.

The board had united behind a single candidate, a bilingual Latina who lives in the district and was seen as a strong fit for its diverse student population. Members described her as “an excellent choice overall” and said she had the experience needed to lead the district and provide long term stability.

According to the board, the search began with nearly 30 applicants and was narrowed down in stages by Southern Westchester BOCES together with the state monitors. Candidates were screened and reduced before being presented to the board, meaning the board only interviewed individuals who had already been vetted and allowed to advance through the process.

The board emphasized that the monitors were directly involved throughout, reviewing candidates, participating in interviews, and allowing the selected candidate to move forward through each round. The final candidates were interviewed with monitor participation, and no objections were raised at any stage.

The board unanimously approved its finalist on March 5. However, on March 13, the monitors rejected the recommendation.

Board President Shimon Rose said the reversal raised serious concerns given the monitors’ role in the process. “We feel like we’re having the rug pulled out from under us,” he said.

Other board members across the board voiced similar frustration. Board Vice President Sherry McGill called the decision “very disheartening,” while Trustee Ephraim Weissmandl said the board “followed everything from A to Z” only to see its unanimous choice dismissed. Trustee Sabrina Charles Pierre, who has served on the board for more than a decade, said, “I have never been more frustrated.”

Board members recently traveled to Albany to meet with State legislators in an attempt to get the State Education Department to clarify its decision. They said the meetings did not provide any clear answers or direction on why the candidate was rejected.

The district continues to operate under an interim superintendent, extending a period of leadership instability. Board members warned that the lack of a permanent leader is making it harder to address ongoing challenges and retain staff.

Tensions also grew after the board said the superintendent position was reposted without its knowledge or approval, raising concerns about communication and the board’s role in the process. The new application timeline also falls around major holidays, including Passover.

East Ramapo has been under state oversight for years, with monitors granted expanded authority in 2021, including the power to approve or reject a superintendent, a role that is now drawing increased scrutiny from board members following the latest decision.