SPRING VALLEY – In a quick June 24 special meeting, East Ramapo’s school board approved the appointment of another interim superintendent.
Eric Stark, the current assistant superintendent of business, was named as interim superintendent of schools starting July 1, which is the start of the new academic year. His appointment would not extend beyond Aug. 15.
“We are still in contract negotiations with our candidate,” school board President Shimon Rose said. “As soon as we have a contract signed, we’ll, you know, announce and approve it by the next meeting.”
The next regular board meeting is slated for July 7, though the board could call a special meeting before that.
The board also named Christina Howe as interim assistant superintendent for finance and operations from July 1 to no later than Aug. 15.
3 interim leaders in 3 years at East Ramapo
Stark on July 1 becomes the third interim leader for the troubled district in three years.
The most recent interim superintendent, Ana Reluzco, leaves June 30. She did not attend the June 24 special meeting.
In March of this year, the board chose a superintendent, but state-appointed monitors rejected the choice. The board launched legal action, called an Article 78, against the monitors and state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, challenging the rejection, but it failed.
A complex district to lead
Carole Anderson, a former member of the school board , attended the June 16 and June 24 meetings. The Wesley Hills resident expressed disappointment that another interim was needed, even for a short period.
“It is the board’s job to appoint a superintendent,” Anderson said. “The board should be negotiating day and night to make sure that a permanent superintendent is in place now.”
East Ramapo is a complex district, with the majority of some 10,000 public-school students being English language learners, and a history in the district of low test scores and high rates of chronic absenteeism.
Meanwhile, another 35,000 kids who live within the greater Spring Valley boundaries of East Ramapo attend private schools, mostly yeshivas that serve a growing Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish population. East Ramapo operates the largest and most complex school transportation system in the state outside of New York City.
Community tensions have long been present. Public-school activists say the board remains dominated by members who are seen as favoring private-school needs.
‘We need a new superintendent in place’
Anderson said a new super needs time to prepare for a smooth opening of schools. Past years have seen chaotic busing problems for all kids, overcrowded classrooms in public schools and other problems that have brought parents and students alike to school board meetings to air grievances.
School board Trustee Hiram Rivera said after the June 24 special meeting that the board was working hard to get the new super on board.
“We’re still in the process. We hope it will be short,” Rivera said. “Unfortunately, this is where we are right now.”
He told Anderson: “We’re agreeing. We need a new superintendent in place.”
Nancy Cutler covers People & Policy. Reach her at ncutler@lohud.com; follow her on X, Bluesky and Instagram at @nancyrockland.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: As East Ramapo negotiates with new super hire, another interim tapped
Reporting by Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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By Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
