Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski and Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick announced they have introduced legislation to allow any school district in Rockland County to create wards for the purposes of school board elections, subject to voter approval (A.249/S.2053).

“Every Rockland school district should have the ability to determine their own election system. If wards/districts will increase voter participation, accountability and diversity on the board, they should not have to ask a Judge for an order. Every student in Rockland deserves an excellent education and that starts with parents being heard and represented by the School Board,” said Assemblyman Zebrowski.

“Ensuring that all communities are fairly represented is a cornerstone of democracy,” said Senator Reichlin-Melnick. “This legislation would give school districts in Rockland County the authority to determine for themselves if a ward system is right for the children and families they serve.”

“Our local school boards take on one of the most important civic responsibilities out there, caring for the education of our students”, said Kevin O’Connor, President of the Rockland County Teachers Association. “We need to ensure our local school board members are elected in the most fair and democratic process out there. A ward system allows for every member of the school community to have a voice and feel more invested in the board. All politics is local and a ward system will ensure everyone has access.”

Under the terms of the bill, the creation of a ward system by a school district would require voter approval in a referendum. A nearly identical bill allowing school districts in Orange County to create ward systems was passed by the Senate in 2020.

The East Ramapo Central School District in Rockland County is preparing to conduct its first election under a new court-ordered ward system, following litigation by the NAACP.