New Spring Valley Mayor Says East Ramapo Schools Are Priority

The newly sworn in mayor of Spring Valley, Demeza Delhomme, said the village must get involved in the crisis faced by the East Ramapo School District. The village board passed a resolution on Monday stating that the school district was an emergency priority. 

“Village Hall will no longer stand on the sidelines on the critical issue of East Ramapo,” said Mayor Delhomme. “When people talk about the children of East Ramapo, they are talking about the children of Spring Valley, where most students live. As their mayor, I will fight for their interests everywhere – from Village Hall to Study Hall.” 

The resolution approved by the village board this afternoon called for the village to play an active role in addressing the issues facing the East Ramapo Central School District. Calling the situation in East Ramapo a “crisis,” the resolution added that fixing the school district will now be considered “an emergency priority” by the mayor and village board.

This resolution is believed to be the first of its typed by a governmental body in history of Rockland County.  The measure advocates for a change in the educational formulas and also requests that the state provide a report to the village board on the “fiscal and academic health” of the district.

Senator David Carlucci who has been involved in asking for state intervention in the financially troubled school district supported Delhomme and the board’s action. 

"I applaud Mayor Delhomme for placing the needs of East Ramapo's children at the top of his agenda," said Carlucci. "That's the kind of strong leadership we need to get Spring Valley back on track."