Thursday, December 17, 2009
East Ramapo board to review hiring of lawyer
The East Ramapo school board voted Wednesday night to extend the contract for a Nyack-based law firm until Jan. 6, in effect delaying action on the board's controversial vote to hire attorney Albert D'Agostino.
The board met in a late executive session to discuss a request for proposal, which board President Nathan Rothschild said was missing when the board hired D'Agostino on Nov. 18. A request for proposal allows law firms to bid on a contract, providing the board members with a variety of choices before a final decision can be made.
After the executive session, Rothschild said the board requested a report from the district clerk about hiring regulations that the members will review "at some point in the very near future."
The hiring of D'Agostino, who is being investigated by state District Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for his alleged role in improperly accepting more than $600,000 in state pensions, was approved Nov. 18 in a 5-3 vote.
By appointing D'Agostino, the board was also dismissing the district's longtime attorney, Stephen Fromson, who has held the position for 33 years.
On Dec. 2, before a crowd of about 450 residents, the board announced the hiring of Feerick, Lynch and MacCartney, a Nyack-based firm, to counsel the board on D'Agostino's hiring. Also, a parent has asked the state education commissioner to reverse the hiring.
The same evening, the board announced that Fromson would continue to work on behalf of the district until the legality of D'Agostino's appointment could be decided.
After Wednesday's public session, the board voted 8-0 to renew the contract for Feerick, Lynch and MacCartney until the next regular board meeting, on Jan. 6.
Rothschild said the state education commissioner has denied the stay.
"I feel that it is inappropriate for us to even consider what to do next," Rothschild said.
http://www.lohud.com/article/2009912170400
The board met in a late executive session to discuss a request for proposal, which board President Nathan Rothschild said was missing when the board hired D'Agostino on Nov. 18. A request for proposal allows law firms to bid on a contract, providing the board members with a variety of choices before a final decision can be made.
After the executive session, Rothschild said the board requested a report from the district clerk about hiring regulations that the members will review "at some point in the very near future."
The hiring of D'Agostino, who is being investigated by state District Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for his alleged role in improperly accepting more than $600,000 in state pensions, was approved Nov. 18 in a 5-3 vote.
By appointing D'Agostino, the board was also dismissing the district's longtime attorney, Stephen Fromson, who has held the position for 33 years.
On Dec. 2, before a crowd of about 450 residents, the board announced the hiring of Feerick, Lynch and MacCartney, a Nyack-based firm, to counsel the board on D'Agostino's hiring. Also, a parent has asked the state education commissioner to reverse the hiring.
The same evening, the board announced that Fromson would continue to work on behalf of the district until the legality of D'Agostino's appointment could be decided.
After Wednesday's public session, the board voted 8-0 to renew the contract for Feerick, Lynch and MacCartney until the next regular board meeting, on Jan. 6.
Rothschild said the state education commissioner has denied the stay.
"I feel that it is inappropriate for us to even consider what to do next," Rothschild said.
http://www.lohud.com/article/2009912170400
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