Defunding Mental Health: A Breakdown of RIH BOE’s Reversals and Hidden Agendas & Why it Matters Now

In July 2023, the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education made a drastic decision to defund key mental health programs that had been serving vulnerable students, one for more than a decade. Despite community outcry and student needs, the board majority, led by Judy Sullivan, Kim Ansh, Marianna Emmolo, and Doreen Mariani, voted against funding these essential services. However, just weeks later, amidst mounting pressure, they reversed their votes. What led to this abrupt change, and how did transparency fail during this critical moment?

Emails Reveal the Truth

Through an OPRA request, I obtained a series of emails that shed light on the board’s lack of preparation and internal discord leading up to the vote. Here’s what the emails reveal:

Kim Ansh’s Email (July 25, 2023)

Ansh’s message to Superintendent Dionisio shows her scrambling to justify her vote after defunding the program. Her concerns about Thrive, the mental health service provider, were not discussed during any committee meetings, despite having ample opportunities to raise them earlier. Link (click on the yellow to read my comments on Kim's email)

Marianna Emmolo’s Email (July 25, 2023)

Similarly, Emmolo reached out to the superintendent after the defunding vote, attempting to frame the decision as a necessary step. Yet, her email reveals a clear lack of prior discussion and planning. Link (click on the yellow to read my comments on Marianna's email)

Tom Bogdansky’s Email to Ansh (July 28, 2023)

Bogdansky, the chair of the Education Committee, expressed frustration at receiving a list of concerns from Ansh and Judy Sullivan only after the program had been voted down. He stated: “There was more than ample time to discuss any issues... Now, for some reason, we receive a slew of questions the day after the public meeting?” His email underscores the disorganization and reactive nature of the board’s actions. Link (click on the yellow to read my comments on Tom's email)

Doreen Mariani’s Email (July 29, 2023)

Mariani’s email further highlights confusion and poor communication within the board, which left the district without a clear plan just weeks before school began. Link (click on the yellow to read my comments on Doreen's email)

Judy Sullivan’s Community Letter (August 26, 2023)

In her letter to the community, Sullivan falsely claimed that the board had approved $3.6 million in mental health funding. Yet, when an OPRA request sought documents supporting this claim, the district’s Business Administrator could not validate it. Sullivan had conflated regular administrative and instructional expenses with mental health services to inflate the figure. Link

My Email to the Board (August 30, 2023)

I challenged the accuracy of Sullivan’s numbers, showing that her $3.6 million claim included salaries for principals, instructional aides, and other staff unrelated to mental health services. The board majority’s attempt to spin the narrative and hide the truth was clear. Link

My Follow-Up Email (September 11, 2023)

I once again urged the board to provide an accurate breakdown of the funds and ensure transparency moving forward. The community deserves to know how their tax dollars are being spent, especially when it comes to vital services like mental health. Link

OPRA Request Response from Business Administrator (October 13, 2023)

On September 1, 2023 I requested the support for the $3.6 million that Judy Sullivan claimed the district had spent on mental health. On October 13, 2023, I finally received a response from the Business Administrator, which said "the District is not in possession of any document from the Board President which evinces "$3.6 million in mental health spending." The Business Administrator then provided a 179 page document which does not support $3.6 million in mental health spending. Link

The Board’s Reversal and Lack of Transparency

When the board finally reversed its decision in August, the process was equally opaque. Discussions moved behind closed doors, leaving the public in the dark until the very last minute. The vote to reinstate the programs was a necessary correction, but the damage had already been done. Students, parents, and staff had been left in limbo due to the board majority’s recklessness.

Conclusion: Demand Accountability

As we approach the upcoming election, it’s crucial to remember the consequences of poor leadership. The board majority’s failure to plan, communicate, and prioritize student needs should not be overlooked. It’s time for a change—one that puts students first and values transparency. The community deserves better.

***Update***

Final Note: Addressing Misleading Claims

It’s been brought to my attention that Cynthia Phillips (with FLOW PDE) has shared a comment on social media that misrepresents what occurred during the mental health program vote. While I prefer not to give too much oxygen to false narratives, I do think it’s important to set the record straight.

To be clear, the board majority did not raise substantive concerns or questions during the public meetings before the vote. The claim that Judy Sullivan and others were merely asking “important questions” is a distortion of the facts. Those questions only surfaced after the vote and after significant backlash from the public and fellow board members. Additionally, the widely circulated $3.6 million figure for mental health services was inflated and misleading.

For those who want the truth, I encourage you to review the actual emails and meeting transcripts—because the facts paint a very different picture from what Cynthia and her allies are putting out on social media.