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St. Thomas Aquinas College Named One of America’s Best Colleges by Money
St. Thomas Aquinas College is proud to announce its recognition by Money as one of America’s Best Colleges. This prestigious ranking highlights the College’s commitment to affordability, academic excellence, student success, and career preparation.
Money’s analysis evaluates over 700 four-year colleges based on key metrics such as graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid availability, and alumni salaries. This comprehensive assessment helps families make informed decisions about their investment in higher education by focusing on both affordability and student outcomes.
“Being named one of America’s best colleges by Money is an incredible honor,” said St. Thomas Aquinas College President Ken Daly. “Our commitment to providing access to an affordable education and helping students prepare for their future career success is at the core of our mission.”
St. Thomas Aquinas College’s inclusion in this ranking underscores its role as a leader in higher education, ensuring students receive a quality education that prepares them for successful careers.
For the full rankings and methodology, visit Money’s Best Colleges.
NYCLU Secures New Funding in East Ramapo After School Board Violated Students’ Rights
State order implementing fair taxes will ensure clean water, safe buildings, and educational resources for public school students
Two weeks after the New York Civil Liberties Union filed an appeal with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) demanding immediate state intervention in East Ramapo, NYSED Commissioner Betty Rosa issued an interim order directing the East Ramapo Central School District (ERCSD) to raise taxes to adequately address the needs of East Ramapo public school students. This type of measure hasn’t been used by the state in 100 years, and will raise local taxes by another 4.38% for 2024-2025 for funds that can only be used for public school students.
The Commissioner’s action follows the ERCSD School Board’s most recent budget vote, which continued a longstanding practice of underfunding the district’s public schools in violation of state mandates. Despite the severe educational and fiscal crises unfolding in ERCSD, the School Board put forth an abysmally low 1% tax increase, making it impossible to complete vital building repairs or fund adequate bilingual education.
“This historic decision will transform the lives of East Ramapo public school students, who have been denied a sound, basic education for decades,” said Stefanie Coyle, Deputy Director of the Education Policy Center at the New York Civil Liberties Union. “The School Board and local voting majority have systematically defunded public education for years — leaving students without clean drinking water, adequate building facilities, and essential classroom resources. By exercising her power to protect public school students, Commissioner Rosa is heeding the call of parents and advocates across the district: It’s time to put an end to 21st century Jim Crow education in Rockland County.”
State law establishes stringent requirements for school districts to protect the health and safety of children, limit district use of financial reserves, and maintain suitable learning environments, including safe facilities for students with working ventilation systems and sanitary drinking fountains. Currently, as noted in the NYCLU’s appeal which was filed on behalf of an East Ramapo public school parent, ERCSD public schools’ ventilation systems and drinking fountains fail to meet state standards — and the budget the School Board previously put forth meant the District would continue to put off needed repairs.
In addition, because of its history of failings, East Ramapo is subject to unique laws requiring it to meet specific fiscal and academic benchmarks, including targets for English Language Learners. Under the previously-passed, insufficient budget, the District was in direct violation of these state mandates. New York Education Law 311 gives the Commissioner authority to direct the levying of taxes, or issue any other order to give effect to her appeal decisions.
For fifteen years, the School Board majority has represented the interests of white voters who send their children to private, religious schools and refused to invest in public education. By contrast, 96 percent of students attending public schools in the district are Black, Hispanic, or Asian and over 80 percent come from economically disadvantaged households. For years, these students have endured severely underfunded school programs, a lack of clean drinking water, very low graduation rates, and sky-high drop-out rates. Most recently, East Ramapo canceled all summer school programs to remediate hazardous asbestos recently uncovered in the buildings.
Last year, East Ramapo also added more than 1,000 students to its public school rolls, nearly all of whom recently immigrated to the United States. Now, public schools in ERCSD have the highest proportion of both English Language Learners and homeless students of any district in the state.
Rockland County Calling For Applications for RC Poet Laureate
County Executive Ed Day and the Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR) are calling for applications for the new Rockland County Poet Laureate position for the 2025-26 term. The Rockland County Poet Laureate Program is a collaboration between the Arts Council of Rockland and the County of Rockland.
The chosen Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador for the literary arts, engaging audiences throughout Rockland County and beyond. By connecting writers and the public, the Poet Laureate will expand the reach of Rockland County’s programs and educational activities. Moreover, the Poet Laureate will enhance public awareness of poetry, art, and local events, while fostering collaborations across numerous agencies and organizations.
“The Rockland County Poet Laureate will have the power to connect communities through public readings and civic events,” said County Executive Ed Day. “They will also promote and celebrate the arts, culture, and literature that make Rockland County a wonderful place to live.”
Rockland County has an active literary scene comprised of talented poets, writers, and storytellers who elevate and promote the literary arts. “ACOR is thrilled to be partnering with County Executive Ed Day to recognize poetry’s vital role in our community’s cultural traditions and civic life,” said Dorothy Atzl, ACOR Executive Director.
How to Apply: Applications for the 2025-26 Rockland County Poet Laureate open on August 15, 2024 though September 30, 2024. Applications must be submitted through the Arts Council of Rockland’s website. The laureate will be appointed to serve a one-year term, with the option to renew for a second year. The term will run from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, and if renewed, will continue through December 31, 2026.
Applicants must be at least 25 years old and have a body of work published in journals, chapbooks, or full-length collections, or have a history of public poetry performances. Full eligibility requirements are available on the Arts Council’s website.
An Advisory Committee facilitated by ACOR and comprised of professional poets, arts administrators, educators, and County representatives, will evaluate submissions, and recommend a Poet Laureate to the County Executive. The County Executive will then make the final decision regarding the appointment of the Poet Laureate who is then confirmed by the County Legislature.
For more information and to apply visit the Arts Council of Rockland’s website: https://www.artscouncilofrockland.org/rockland-county-poet-laureate.
You can also contact Dorothy Atzl at dorothy@artscouncilofrockland.org.
