Education advocates have formed a petition urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign recently passed legislation that would create an oversight panel to monitor the troubled Hempstead School District.
The online petition was started by Melissa Figueroa, a former Hempstead school board member who tried to reform the district and is now serving as a spokeswoman for New York State Assemb. Taylor Darling (D-Hempstead), the lawmaker that championed passage of the oversight bill.
“These monitors will provide the needed oversight into the academic and financial operations of the district, ensuring that allotted resources go to the students and not to administrators and vendors,” the petition states. “School begins in September and the bill needs Governor Cuomo’s signature.”
More than 100 people have signed the petition, putting it more than halfway to its goal.
“As a Hempstead High School alumni, I know first hand the issues, the lack of support, guidance and the poor quality of education all Hempstead children experience,” said Biena Depena Collin, who signed the petition. “The students deserve better.”
