Judge orders closure of illegal school in Ramapo

State Justice Margaret Garvey issued a ruling on Friday requiring a religious group to vacate a building it had been illegally using as a school.

The school on Carlton Road was closed after Ramapo fire inspectors executed a search warrant and discovered it was being used by Congregation Lizensk as a school for 20 children. The building was found to contain classrooms, a cafeteria and other items inconsistent with residential use.

Congregation Lizensk has been cited for safety violations at the site for years, including fire code violations. It was also forced to close an illegal school in Clarkstown due to similar zoning and safety issues.