Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Reorganization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
East Ramapo board elects leaders, approves committees, budget transfers and appointments at organizational meeting
Summary
At its organizational meeting the East Ramapo board elected Shimon Rose president and Sherry McGill vice president, approved committee rosters, passed consent and action items (1–23) including a contract renewal tied to a technology grant, clarified several budget transfers, and appointed Jason Pickford as director of facilities.
At its organizational meeting in Spring Valley, the East Ramapo Central School District Board of Education completed its annual reorganization: members elected Shimon Rose president and Sherry McGill vice president, adopted a slate of committee assignments, approved consent items and action items 1–23, and moved into executive session to discuss possible employment of particular persons.
President Rose opened the meeting and clerk Kathleen Kivi administered oaths of office to officers as required. The board approved committee assignments for curriculum, facilities and transportation, policy, technology and special education; the board approved the audit committee membership after several members volunteered to serve.
During discussion of action items, a board member asked who would be responsible for monitoring the deliverables on item 4, a technology grant in collaboration with Rockland BOCES. Assistant Superintendent for Technology Bhavan Gandhi said the grant is overseen by the director of instructional technology, Sonia Dominguez, and that the project is a multi-district collaboration.
A separate line-item question addressed a budget transfer of $1,725,000 into medical insurance (NYSHIP). Interim Superintendent Eric Stark said the NYSHIP premiums ‘‘were increased at a rate that was far greater than what was budgeted for’’ and explained the district budgets using projections and a three‑year average but sometimes needs midyear adjustments when state-set premiums change.
Board members also asked about a fund-balance draw of $196,000 to cover a single reinstated position; Stark said the employee returned after a resignation was rescinded and the draw temporarily increases the relevant line to cover payroll prior to spending beginning in the new fiscal year.
The board voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters and, on returning, approved certain items from the closed session and introduced Jason Pickford as the newly appointed director of facilities.
Board member remarks during the meeting emphasized active governance: one member urged that committee meetings be ‘‘working sessions’’ that develop recommendations for the full board rather than one‑way presentations.
The board set its next regular meeting for August 4, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the PLCC Room at the administration building, 105 South Madison Avenue in Spring Valley.
