State Requests Testimony of Former East Ramapo School Board Member

The Office of State Attorney Eric Schneiderman has requested testimony on the sales and leasing of two public schools to private yeshivas from former East Ramapo School Board member Stephen Price, adding pressure to the already embattled school board.

Price has not announced if or when he would testify but said he would cooperate with the State Attorney to the best of his abilities. He served on the library board for several years before he resigned with fellow board member Suzanne Young-Mercer in February, citing intimidation from other board members.

The AG’s investigation centers on the sales of the Colton and Hillcrest Elementary Schools, which were suspected to have been sold at lower prices than they are actually worth. The AG is investigation if the transaction was a “sweetheart deal” between the school board, which is largely composed of Orthodox Jews, and the larger Orthodox community which is served by the yeshivas.

In spite of the accusations, the board has not found a higher bidder than the yeshivas in question.