Students and staff in the East Ramapo Central School District, about 30 miles north of New York City, cannot drink the tap water in any of the public school buildings, according to a new state-mandated survey, and the chronic state of disrepair has prompted calls for a takeover of the school system.
The situation is “reminiscent of the environmental racism seen in Flint, Michigan,” the New York Civil Liberties Union, along with 24 other organizations, wrote in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul and other officials demanding that the state take over the school district.“Much like Flint, the lead in the water at East Ramapo public schools was discovered seven years ago, yet it remains unaddressed,” the letter reads.
Lead was found in at least nine of the district’s buildings in 2016, leading officials to shut off a number of water sources, including water fountains and various faucets used for drinking and cooking. Purified water dispensaries were installed, and signs in English, Spanish, Creole and Yiddish urged students and staff not to drink the water.
The district’s public schools have been in disrepair for years. In 2014, a monitor appointed by the state said the board, which has long been dominated by Orthodox Jews, had shown favoritism to private schools in the district, which are attended primarily by Orthodox Jewish students.
Education Education Latest News, Education Education Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: ABC7NY - 🏆 592. / 51 Read more »
Source: wrtv - 🏆 598. / 51 Read more »
Source: njdotcom - 🏆 282. / 63 Read more »
Source: abc15 - 🏆 263. / 63 Read more »