East Rockaway Board votes to opt out of state regionalization planning

The East Rockaway Board of Education voted Jan. 14 to opt out of participation in the states regionalization planning process, approving a resolution that directs the superintendent to notify state education officials of the boards decision.

Chair (board chair) read the resolution and the board moved and seconded the motion; the measure was approved by voice vote. The resolution states that the board "elects not to participate in the development of a regionalization plan, and be it further resolved that the Board of Education elects not to submit the strength and needs tool to SED or engage in any regionalization planning or regionalization implementation." It also authorizes the superintendent to send notice to the State Education Department (SED) reserving "all of the district's rights and remedies."

Superintendent De Tomaso told the board he will send letters to Gov. Kathy Hochul and Commissioner Rosa formally recording the districts intent to opt out. "I will be sending a letter to Governor Hochul and to Commissioner Rosa on opting out of the regionalization plan," De Tomaso said during the meeting.

The resolution was approved as part of new and old business without an extended public debate recorded in the meeting transcript. Trustees also approved the meeting minutes and multiple consent-agenda items earlier in the session by voice vote.

What happens next: the superintendent is authorized to notify SED that the East Rockaway district will not submit the SED strength-and-needs tool or otherwise participate in regionalization planning; the transcript does not specify a deadline for that notice. Any future actions or communications with state officials would be reflected in subsequent board agendas and public records.