Thoughts on Aisha Cook Op-Ed on New Rochelle Charter School

Robert Cox

29 Oct 2024 — 6 min read

SUNY Meeting

DUBLIN, IRELAND (October 29, 2024) — I linked a recent article by Aisha Cook published on NewRoar News which is worth reading: Reaction to Charter school Approval for New Rochelle.

Her piece is a reaction to the video I clipped and posted from the SUNY vote to approve the new charter school.

https://vimeo.com/1018760883

I think it is fair to say the vote was a formality, with a decision having been made before the meeting, based on what appears to have been minimal community input in favor of the Capital Prep Charter School and massive opposition.

I found the meeting strange, as I will explain.

As New Rochelle Financial Woes Persist, Yadira & Co. Post Bid for On-Call Balloon Decoration Services

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (December 11, 2025) — The city of New Rochelle has posted a bid for on-call balloon decoration services, specification number 5832, with bids due by 3 p.m. on January 7, 2026. Seriously — on-call balloons!

Final Demand – Bid 5820 / The Young Companies Proposal (FOIL Requests of Oct. 30, Nov. 13, and Nov. 21, 2025)

This “last chance” email was sent to New Rochelle Deputy Counsel Jeffrey Briem with copies to City Manager Will Melendez, City Clerk Kim Jones, Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert and all six council members.

SMOKING GUN: New Rochelle City Manager’s Shifting Story on Flowers Park Bid Collapses Under Developer’s Own “Return Everything” Letter

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (December 5, 2025) — A November 20, 2025 letter from the attorney representing the sole bidder on New Rochelle’s withdrawn Flowers Park redevelopment project directly contradicts City Manager Will Melendez’s latest claim that the city never surrendered the original proposal. The letter, obtained through a