The Truth About The BOE Election (Part 2)

Why Regionalization Matters: It Was Never About Schools—It Was About Trump-Proofing Your Tax Dollars

This post is meant to give Somers parents and taxpayers a straightforward explanation of what regionalization really is, why New York State has pushed it so aggressively, why nearly 40 districts have already opted out, and why this issue is especially urgent for Somers. It will also explain why having a school board that reflects the political values of its community is the key to protecting our schools, and our children, from decisions being made in Albany.

The election of President Trump gave many conservatives hope that federal action could slow or stop the far-left continued creep into public education. But here in deep-blue New York, state leaders wasted no time trying to implement a “Trump-proof” system. Regionalization was an emergency order, mandated by the state in late September ahead of the federal election...which begs the question, what was the emergency?

What Is Regionalization—and Why Should Somers Conservatives Oppose It?

At its core, regionalization is a top-down plan to consolidate control of local schools under regional BOCES superintendents, appointed by Albany…not elected by you.

Your locally elected school board would still be allowed to levy taxes and maintain buildings, BUT key decisions—who leads our schools, how they’re staffed, what’s taught, and how children are managed—will be dictated by a single Regional Superintendent. This person answers to the NY State Education Department (NYSED), not to our community.

However, this won’t apply to New York’s “Big Five” school districts—NYC, Buffalo, Yonkers, Syracuse, and Rochester. All Democrat-run, and all exempt. So while conservative-leaning districts like ours are being told to merge power upward, urban districts stay untouched. This isn’t about equity. It’s about power, and who gets to keep it.

Regionalization Is About Locking in Your Tax Dollars

This was never about an emergency. The so-called "Emergency Order" used to push regionalization through was a political maneuver to skip public hearings, bypass the Administrative Procedures Act, and rush a long-term restructuring plan through without scrutiny.

Why the rush?

Because with Trump polling strong and federal education policy in play, the Hochul-Rosa team saw a looming threat: a parent-led, choice-driven education model that could redirect how public school dollars are spent. Regionalization is their answer to that threat. It’s their firewall. It ensures that, no matter who’s in the White House, New York’s school funds stay locked inside the traditional, state-controlled system.

Even if you homeschool, or send your kids to private or charter schools, your taxes will now fund a broader system that you have no local voice in and no option to leave.

It Weakens Parental Influence and Local Voice

One of the greatest strengths of a town like Somers is our size. We have a small enough district that parents can attend meetings, speak directly to decision-makers, and affect change. That disappears under regionalization.

If Somers opts in, we become one of 37 districts overseen by a Regional Superintendent. That person doesn’t know us. They weren’t elected by us. They don’t answer to us. But they will be in charge of hiring and firing, curriculum, and discipline policies in our schools.

And let’s not forget who’s leading this charge—Governor Hochul and Commissioner Rosa, the same team that pushed hard for mask mandates, mandatory DEI training, and state control over school discipline and testing. If you don’t trust them with your kids’ values, you shouldn’t trust them with their education.

Let’s not forget the DEI fiasco here in Somers—a program that was pushed on our community, sparked outrage, and took years of vocal opposition to finally change. That only happened because we had a local school board and superintendent to hold accountable. Now imagine if DEI is mandated statewide and enforced by a Regional BOCES Superintendent who doesn’t answer to you. Who are you going to complain to, your state senator? Albany bureaucrats? I’m sure they’ll be just as eager to help as they’ve been about fixing the potholes on our state roads.

It’s a Decade-Long Trap—and No One Knows What’s Inside

Once a district opts into regionalization, it signs a 10-year commitment. And even Albany can’t explain what exactly that commitment involves. The language is vague. Deliberately so. Because the less you know, the harder it is to resist.

Somers Has What It Needs—We Just Have to Defend It

Somers has never failed to pass a school budget. We fund our schools, we support our teachers, and we care deeply about our kids. So why should we hand over the reins to a regional bureaucracy that serves 36 other districts, many of whom struggle with funding, performance, and oversight?

Regionalization will turn our community into a donor district—where our tax dollars are redirected and our standards are watered down to meet a “regional average.” This is a redistribution plan, not an education plan.

If you believe in strong schools, strong communities, and strong values, now is the time to pay attention. The incumbents, Amanda Kandel and Chad Olsen are very happy to be an extension of what the state wants. It’s hard to tell sometimes if they are complicit or just negligent. It seems to be a little bit of both. Amanda is fully aware of the state agenda Chad has become her neutered sidekick.

Other districts ARE opting out. Don’t believe anyone who tells you that is misinformation.

Long Island districts like Syosset, Roslyn, Northport-East Northport, East Meadow, and Mattituck-Cutchogue have already opted out of the regionalization plan, many doing so unanimously. Why? Because they saw through the language of “efficiency” and “cost savings” and understood what’s really at stake: local control, educational quality, and taxpayer oversight.

Frankly, whether it's 100 or only a few schools opting out, our school board should be relentlessly questioning why, in order to shield us from any potential risks. Instead, we’re charging headfirst into the unknown with our arms wide open. We are Either asleep at the wheel or deliberately staying quiet. It’s time for Somers to wake up and speak out!

Here’s the truth: Donald Trump can’t protect New York taxpayers from what local school boards are quietly opting into. That responsibility falls to us!

Regionalization is not about saving money or improving education. It’s about control. It’s about locking down our public school tax dollars and making sure they can’t be touched, redirected, or influenced by a future conservative administration. If you believe in parental rights, school choice, or local control—you should be deeply concerned.

We must demand that Somers formally opt out of regionalization. In order to do that you need to vote for Ritacco, Vala, Rinaldi to ensure we have common sense leader leadership.

Because once we give up control, we won’t get it back.

See Related Posts Below:

SOMERS BOE PRESIDENT SUPPORTS REGIONALIZATION

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BOE ELECTION (PART 1)