Dear Mount Sinai Community,

We are reaching out to inform you of an important development that could significantly impact the future of our school district. Recently, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) introduced a Regionalization Plan that has the potential to alter the structure and identity of our district. In response, the Mount Sinai Board of Education and I have drafted a letter of concern and opposition, which we have sent to the Assistant Commissioner of Education, expressing our serious reservations about the plan. You can view this letter HERE.

What is the Regionalization Plan?
Regionalization is a state-mandated approach that would require school districts to discuss consolidations and resource-sharing with their BOCES component districts, enforcing a “one-size-fits-all” model without an option to opt out. This plan could lead to decisions affecting Mount Sinai without input from those who matter most—our community members. Our primary concerns include:

• The potential loss of local decision-making power to a BOCES superintendent.
• Mandates for accepting students from other districts, which could impact our classroom resources.
• Extensive data reporting requirements imposed on our district.
• A lack of transparency regarding the financial and governance implications for Mount Sinai.

How You Can Support Our Opposition
We believe it is essential to keep control over our schools within our community to preserve the high standards and quality education that our students deserve. This emergency regulation is currently open for public comment through November 24, and we strongly encourage you to make your voice heard. You can contact the Commissioner of Education and the Governor of New York State directly to share your concerns. Their contact information is provided below, along with additional resources to help you understand this issue:

• Link to our letter of concern and opposition
• Link to NYSED’s website on Regionalization
• Link to the recent On Board article

Stand with Us to Protect Mount Sinai
Together, we can make a difference for the future of our schools. Thank you for your steadfast support. We are confident that by standing together, we can preserve the integrity of Mount Sinai and the quality education we strive to deliver for all students.

Warm regards,
Dr. Christine Criscione
Superintendent of Schools

Mount Sinai School District Board of Education                  
Mr. Paul Staudt, President                                                                  
Mr. John Hnat, Vice President
Ms. Christy Barbera, Trustee                                                  
Mr. Chuck Carron, Trustee                                                     
Mr. Nick DeVito, Trustee
Mr. Anthony Mangione, Trustee                                            
Mr. Joseph Randazzo, Trustee

Letters of Opposition to the NY State Proposed Emergency Regulation must be sent to:

David Frank - Assistant Commissioner
Email: REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov
 
Letters of Opposition can also be sent to:
 
Dr. Betty A. Rosa
Commissioner
NYS Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
Tel: 518-474-3852
Email: commissioner@nysed.gov
 
Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Tel:518-474-8390
Email: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form