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Mount Sinai Board votes to opt out of regionalization planning; district to notify NYSED
Summary
The Mount Sinai Board of Education voted to opt out of participation in the development phase of the State Education Department's regionalization plan and directed the superintendent to notify the NYSED in writing before Jan. 15, 2025.
The Mount Sinai Union Free School District Board of Education voted to elect not to participate in the development of a regionalization plan under recently adopted state regulations and directed the superintendent to notify the New York State Education Department in writing before the Jan. 15, 2025 submission deadline.
A business-item motion presented at the meeting cited the Board of Regents regulation changes (described in the motion as "subpart 1 24-2" and the new subpart "1 24-2.8") and resolved that the district "elects not to participate in the development of a regionalization plan." The board then directed the superintendent to submit written notification of that election to the New York State Education Department prior to the Jan. 15, 2025 deadline. The motion was approved by the board.
Board discussion emphasized that the current opt-out language in the regulation, as adopted in December 2024, appears to opt districts out of the planning process rather than explicitly removing them from any later regionalization action; board members said they remain concerned about the potential for the state to proceed with broader regionalization steps. Several board members noted that Mount Sinai is among about 20 districts on Long Island participating in Article 78 litigation challenging the regionalization approach; other districts have also moved to opt out at their local meetings.
The board discussion included concern that language in the adopted regulation (the "black and white" text) differs from other statements about whether opting out of planning would preclude later regionalization actions. The district said it will pursue legal avenues while using the formal opt-out provision available in the current regulation.
No changes to district governance or day-to-day operations were announced at the meeting. Board members framed the vote as preserving local control while pursuing legal review of the state's approach.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded during the meeting): - Acceptance of minutes of 11/20/2024 regular meeting — motion approved (mover and second not specified in record). - Personnel items A–B (personnel approvals) — motion approved (mover and second not specified). - Action items educational A–B — motion approved (mover and second not specified). - Action items business B–J (routine business approvals) — motion approved (mover and second not specified).
The board also noted it will continue coordination with other districts pursuing legal action and monitor any further regulatory changes from the Board of Regents and the State Education Department.
