East Ramapo school board sues state monitors over rejected superintendent pick
The East Ramapo school board asked a state court to overturn the monitors’ decision and halt a new search as the district continues its years‑long leadership instability.
The East Ramapo School Board has filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court against its state‑appointed monitors and the State Education Department after the monitors rejected the board’s unanimous choice for the next superintendent in March.
The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the monitors’ decision and stop the district from moving forward with a new superintendent search.
Parent and advocate Ana Maeda said the legal action came as a surprise.
"The suing part is actually very surprising because it has not been done last year or the year before when we had interim superintendents," she says.
The district has had two interim superintendents in the past two years. Maeda said she believes the entire process needs more transparency.
"There hasn't been enough information given to the public, specifically to parents, on their decisions," says Maeda.
According to the school board, when News 12 first reported on this issue, its preferred candidate was a bilingual Latina who lives within the district, whom they considered a "seasoned educator." Board members said the monitors allowed the candidate to advance in the hiring process, but later denied her without providing reasons.
JP O'Hare, spokesperson for the State Education Department, said in an email that the agency "typically does not comment" during litigation but is doing so to "set the record straight."
The spokesperson added that the board is attempting to push forward a candidate who does not have the full range of skills needed to lead a district facing significant challenges. The spokesperson specifically stated that "operational experience was insufficient."
A judge has denied the board’s request to pause the new superintendent search while the lawsuit proceeds. The board is now required to finish interviewing four additional candidates by May 15.
The next school board meeting, which typically includes the state monitors, will happen on May 6, according to the district's website.
The deadline for a new superintendent is July 1.
The next superintendent would be the district’s sixth leadership change since the 2019–2020 school year.
