Critics of the East Ramapo school board have gone to court, seeking changes in the way the district is run.

The class-action suit, brought by Steve White and another taxpayer against the East Ramapo School board, seeks return of money spent on lawyers.

The suit was served on the board Tuesday night before a meeting in Spring Valley.

For months, critics have complained that the board, which is dominated by the Orthodox Jewish community, is mismanaging the district and favoring their own private religious schools over the public schools.

In a written statement, Board President Yehuda Weissmandl says the district is making progress in the way it's run.

"These individuals clearly believe in what they are fighting for, but their actions aren't constructive," he said about the board's critics.

While some find it ironic that excessive spending on lawyers is the central issue in the suit, White says it is needed to reclaim money that should have been spent on students.