In 2015, Senator Bill Larkin and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther sponsored a bill (S5846, A8163) which would permit all NYS public school voters the option of electing their Board of Education members through a ward system instead of an at large system, as we do now. The intentions posted in recent articles revealing the deceit in Bloomingburg are an immediate wake up call for any NYS legislator who thinks that an urgent call for action on this bill is not necessary. The bill currently sits in the Education Committee, the same committee in which it remained stagnant last year. The concept is not new as this voting system is used in other municipal elections, such as state and county legislative districts, and even in the Town of Wallkill where councilmen are elected in different wards. Hence, the ward system is proven to be constitutionally relevant, with the size of each ward (or district) being based on NYS Census figures, as well as guaranteeing equitable representation for residents. So what's the problem with school districts? How come the sponsors of this bill, both veteran powerhouses in the legislature, cannot muster up enough support to even get the bill moved and approved in a committee?

In fact, there isn't even any evidence that an effort has been made to date. Sponsoring the bill is great but not enough. Our legislators must do more than just repeat what they know we want to hear. It is their job to act on the will and interests of their constituents and get the bill passed. A lot has happened in Orange County, and a lot has happened in neighboring counties which will have a direct impact on Orange County, since the bill was introduced last year. I call it the year of threats — threats of lawsuits, threats of more lawsuits, threats of voting down school budgets if this legislation is passed, and threats of expansion, spillover and takeover while we pay for those lawsuits. Could it be that the option of a ward system would neutralize these threats?

It's typical of what you might hear from any "wedge" or "single issue" group. These special interest groups vary in districts and could represent groups whose students attend one particular school building, religious groups as well as even political activists. In fact, public school boards are very familiar with these types of groups as loss of local control in budgetary decision making increases each year. Of course, if money wasn't an issue, then there would be no issue but we know this isn't true. As it stands, any group could easily take over a school board through an at large election and proceed to make decisions which could benefit their group only. How do you make sure that everyone maintains an equal voice? While lawsuits abound, ill will is collected and documented and threats are made to the quality of our children's education, one system would encourage that we work together in a fair and equitable way and that system, in my view, would be a ward system.

Please contact your state legislator and keep some facts in mind. It is important that use of a ward system be an option for the voters in each school district. Flexibility that is provided in the bill, allows use of an at large, all wards or combination system of both, ensuring local voter control. The bill places accountability on both the school board as well as final approval of breakdown of wards by the State Education Department. Allowances are provided in case nobody runs for a seat in a certain ward in any given year. And, most importantly, it is an election year. I won't vote to re-elect any incumbent this year unless this bill passes and I hope you do the same.

Roseanne Sullivan is a 20 year veteran school board member from Pine Bush Central School District as well as an Orange County Legislature, representing the 18th Legislative District.