A complaint of discrimination against religious schools by a local school board was before the Rockland County Supreme Court today, as the result of a suit by three parents of pupils at the Yeshiva of Spring Valley.
The issue arose when the parents applied for free bus transportation for their children after the August 1 deadline. Among those who testified were Transportation Superintendent George Grossman, of Ramapo Central School District 2; and Dr. Abraham Gitlow, president of the district Board of Education. The suit is being heard by Supreme Court Justice John P. Donohue.
The school board officials testified that it was the board’s position to waive the deadline on such bussing applications for public schools, but not for parochial schools. Dr. Gitlow said the reason for waiving the deadlines for public school pupils was the result of directives from the State Education Department.
Judge Donohue declared that the school board had placed itself in a difficult position “by not adhering to the strict letter of the law” concerning deadlines. He said his decision would be handed down shortly. It could set a legal precedent in New York state.
Louis Wolfish, the attorney for the three Jewish parents, said several parents of children in an other private school had retained him pending the outcome of the Spring Valley case.
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