Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Regionalization Lawsuit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mount Sinai board hears update: state moved to dismiss regionalization lawsuit; reply brief due April 4
Summary
During public comment at the board meeting Mount Sinai officials updated the community on the district's pending legal challenge to the state's regionalization/regulatory language and described next steps in the court process.
During a public comment period at the Mount Sinai Union Free School District board meeting, an administrator gave an update on the district's coalition lawsuit challenging the state's regionalization/administrative regulation wording and described the current procedural posture.
The district said the state filed an opposition seeking dismissal and that the coalition has until April 4 to file a reply brief to the court. The administrator said that, if the court schedules oral argument, a decision on the state's motion to dismiss would likely follow within 60 days of argument; otherwise, the court is likely to rule within 60 days of the final brief filing.
The heart of the dispute, as summarized at the meeting, is the wording of a state regulation requiring districts to comply with a regionalization plan. The coalition of districts is asking the state to change the resolution/regulation's phrasing so that opting out of the development portion would not be read to require compliance with unrelated elements. The district reported that the state has refused to change the wording and has opposed the lawsuit on standing and procedural grounds.
What was decided: There was no new court decision reported at the meeting. The board and administration described the case as at the procedural briefing stage, with the district preparing a reply brief due April 4. Administrators said other participating districts continue to analyze data related to the state's regionalization process.
Ending: The district said the procedural timeline means a final outcome is delayed; if oral argument is scheduled the court’s decision would likely follow within about 60 days of the argument, otherwise within 60 days of the final brief's filing.
