[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6082475,"mediaKeyId","2937993-961ae41b96f4434d1c1cc59fac2003a4","parentId",2937993,"title","Board approves student‑liaison resolution after amendments requiring board approval, three‑member presence and parental permission","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5514000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2937993-961ae41b96f4434d1c1cc59fac2003a4&start=5514&end=5514","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2937993-961ae41b96f4434d1c1cc59fac2003a4/thumbnail_5514000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6082475/New-York/Board-approves-studentliaison-resolution-after-amendments-requiring-board-approval-threemember-presence-and-parental-permission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082475-8291596902313d1ed3267d426a474c69/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934748&Signature=OIG~JPtherZ1GU-kZax5yiW0WPXS0-OfMtXkL5mDlSp68wtYBZ-phYILMqNGPG~tb2MMv5sFOYeHi1390syNo3voGfvOIfyhp9mYs5nBtnzttx9gJDkJ6sRqlsIZos5nuZs9ue4gh9BrUeQ-IVGI2cXDzTZNSaOEmn5IHojXLQB2YKgWdYMhs4XkTI~F2APlRMDLlGSsPc5k1-xRlZnVWibw8CfCCNhkYf9uLBAZ9Co29ZYRLXB2y4B3RJ25TxMf4FQCvFlps5mJHFsqPY1XdwiY4j6Sm4cDWi27lNiX47d5AT4ctGgeM9MvaZIbbZLVTj3bTQZL7pMbRW50-nKIaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-10T00:21:04.417Z","article","The Newburgh City School District Board of Education on April 8 approved a resolution to designate board liaisons to meet with student council representatives, but only after amending the measure to add two board members and to impose conditions on those meetings, including parental permission.

Students had told the board earlier in the meeting that they preferred to speak to the full board rather than to a single member. Several students asked that their concerns be placed on a future board agenda so the entire board could hear them directly.

Board debate and amendments

The original resolution proposed a board liaison to meet with the high school student council. Several trustees objected to a single-member approach and to the timing while elections and student expectations were pending. Trustee Politti moved to require that any liaison meeting be board‑approved, that all three named liaisons participate together, and that parental permission be obtained before meeting with students; the motion carried after roll‑call votes. Trustees also amended the resolution to add trustees Mackenzie Boucher and Ray Bergarelli to a list that already included Trustee Victoria Boucher.

Student perspective

Riley Mehta, a senior at NFA Main, told the board she had been scheduled to meet with a board member twice in the prior month and that both meetings were canceled, calling short‑notice cancellations \"unprofessional and inconsiderate.\" Mehta urged the board to put students on a full board agenda or to invite them into executive discussions rather than sending a single liaison.

Legal and administrative guidance

Board counsel said Policy 1600 allows designation of a board member for purposes such as this, but warned that campaigning in schools is prohibited; counsel said disciplinary or removal proceedings could follow if a board member is proved to have campaigned in school buildings. Trustees asked legal staff to confirm process parameters.

Outcome

The board approved resolution 6.1 as amended. Trustees directed the acting superintendent to coordinate with student council advisors and to propose dates for a meeting so the board could approve logistics; Dr. Baughn agreed to reach out and coordinate scheduling.

Ending

The amended resolution requires board approval of meeting dates, the participation of the three designated liaisons and parental permission for student meetings. Several trustees said they would prefer the full board hear student concerns directly at a future public meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Regular Meeting - April 8, 2025 - 6:30PM","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to approve a resolution (6.1) establishing a board liaison to meet with student council representatives but amended the measure to add two board members and require board approval of meeting dates, participation by all three liaisons and parental permission for student meetings.","taxTitle","Newburgh City School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",14388,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6082480,"Board hears $373.8 million preliminary 2025–26 budget; district outlines capital propositions and funding uncertainties",523,4044000,4567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2937993-961ae41b96f4434d1c1cc59fac2003a4&start=4044&end=4567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2937993-961ae41b96f4434d1c1cc59fac2003a4/thumbnail_4044000.jpg","/articles/6082480/New-York/Board-hears-3738-million-preliminary-202526-budget-district-outlines-capital-propositions-and-funding-uncertainties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082480-572667e074a9ce47180aa30eebdcc417/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934748&Signature=BWi2Ypsq06Sn5X6HjT2l90pQimoAVvPh1vG-G-Ki3a4rRwlc2JJ0Hkr0B4~QptLn1X7gl1DJLXEieAqHJmFs5oAO6RO85CZgMDqfTCpPg-X0Q2U1AqoN-DRiU7v7CwoxG0n-7zGg66PbdHfK2agvkRyWnNUUeQEzqWTrOkWei1FHR0b0T3niOGsJeN80vXy5OyyRItr7moSt95JPxzpMST7ZJMWMWPzzxm5Ie7she1Citmx1NUmpJ~18c0UDDM-Mf8EBDPc1B5W0SGIyEcKgEyBbdSXkJqDV~0S5oeFncS5Fo8K--GBFaltt3x8v1ae7tJXN5F2Q72-qIkN7-0v1qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newburgh City School District on April 8 presented an updated draft of the 2025–26 budget that shows roughly $373.8 million in planned spending and a year‑over‑year increase of about $14.8 million, district finance staff said.

Acting superintendent Dr. Baughn and Assistant Superintendent for Finance Ms. Roaring described the budget as a work in progress: revenue and expense projections are aligned in the current draft, but the district said it is waiting on final state aid numbers and possible federal funding changes that could materially affect next year\u000funding.

Key points from the presentation

- Draft total: Ms. Roaring presented a draft 2025–26 budget in the range of $373.8 million and said the figure reflects a $14.8 million increase from the prior year. The district later displayed $373,850,000 on a revenue slide; Roaring described the figure as the current working total and emphasized that revenue assumptions will be revised once the state budget is adopted.

- Out‑of‑district tuition: The presentation identified about 34 anticipated out‑of‑district special education placements, each estimated at approximately $100,000, producing a roughly $3.4 million increase in tuition costs for the coming year.

- Revenue and fund balance: The draft assumes a flat tax levy and includes use of appropriated fund balance (the district previously told the community it might use about $3.7 million in fund balance to keep the levy under the cap). Final state aid numbers remain unknown because the state budget had not been adopted at the time of the meeting.

- Federal lunch/breakfast reimbursements: District staff noted federal reimbursements fund a large share (they cited roughly 79%) of the school breakfast and lunch revenue line; any federal rule or reimbursement change could affect the budget.

Capital propositions and projects

- Geothermal/green energy: The district is proposing a potential capital project (subject to voter approval and grant awards) estimated at about $33 million to install geothermal systems at Foster Town and Gardnertown schools and remove those buildings from fuel oil. The district said primary funding would come from New York State building aid and that the local share could be covered by NYSERDA grant awards if the district secures them.

- NFA North auditorium: A second May ballot proposition would fund renovations to the NFA North auditorium (new lighting, sound, seating and ADA access) at an estimated cost of just over $3.2 million. The district said that project would be a cash project funded from the capital reserve and would not carry a tax impact.

Timeline

The board indicated it intends to adopt the budget on April 22, hold a budget hearing on May 13 and conduct the annual budget vote on May 20.

Why this matters

District officials told the board that several revenue variables remain uncertain — most importantly the final state aid allocation and the status of federal program changes — and that those variables could change staffing and program choices. Separately, board members and public speakers tied proposed central-office abolishments and personnel actions to the budget conversation and asked for additional transparency about the fiscal rationale.

Ending

District staff said they will update the budget document as state and federal information becomes available and that the board will consider adoption at its April 22 meeting.","District finance staff presented a draft 2025–26 budget of roughly $373.8 million, noted a $14.8 million year‑over‑year increase, and described capital propositions for geothermal HVAC work and an NFA North auditorium renovation. Officials said final state aid and federal reimbursement changes remain unresolved.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6082483,"Parents, teachers and students urge Newburgh board to reconsider removal of 16 administrators",2826,1673000,4499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2937993-961ae41b96f4434d1c1cc59fac2003a4&start=1673&end=4499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2937993-961ae41b96f4434d1c1cc59fac2003a4/thumbnail_1673000.jpg","/articles/6082483/New-York/Parents-teachers-and-students-urge-Newburgh-board-to-reconsider-removal-of-16-administrators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082483-3c32189b6c3f1ed11f4de478e64ba3b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934748&Signature=QHYr3l68VoknqAO88jjSgvIOv9NzXmVK3FeVkTdUJCgE~lLVa92S0sd5IORUV4oNBHbXBixhP6~JBClky939NiZcuqziEoZqmJ36KiT~4D-lwawblzLOunQgQMSVAnjEukmYvzOWceWzF2CwwBbpsMbaW7uROaurgFP8xHRF~FqGpb2eL~ygh1YS2R217ABqWR91BwGluCPQdkV5-stWPSLN~71tPXDEHB3rDASmPalyHxfM9M3cbWupVmtV2bAwOvEkgkw-EGt37qhRji0dkZ0TJHO86JAhWCGa9tDPqQJQ~VM8hJuxWtrBhdqBfrKVWiL2AsfZFb7CAbUmQ-bGsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of parents, teachers and students told the Newburgh City School District Board of Education on April 8 that the district
cted precipitously in issuing notices to 16 building-level administrators and urged the board to reverse or pause the personnel moves.

The concerns were framed during the meeting\u000by Rob Kulwocky, who identified himself as vice president of the district
dministrators
ssociation, and by multiple teachers, students and parents who said the notices arrived without adequate explanation and that removing so many leaders would harm school operations and student supports.

The messages were direct and repeated: the 16 administrators included five building principals, eight directors and three assistant principals, according to Kulwocky, who said the notices were first sent March 19 and that affected staff received no prior warning. \"Each day, our 16 administrators wait and see if this is a day they will be called in,\" Kulwocky said, adding the group represents roughly 25% of the association's membership.

Why this matters: speakers warned the proposed cuts would hollow out building-level leadership during an academic year when the district is also rolling out new reading and math programs and considering other organizational changes. Commenters tied staffing instability to lower morale, potential service gaps for special education and disruptions to school safety and student supports.

What speakers said and asked

- Rob Kulwocky, vice president, Newburgh supervisors and administrators association: Kulwocky said 16 unit members received letters on March 19 directing them to report to human resources for meetings that could be disciplinary in nature. He said the letters gave no explanation, and that an hour after the letters were sent a follow-up email postponed the meetings and offered no further clarification. He said the uncertainty has caused \"significant undue stress\" among the affected administrators and warned the potential loss of 16 people would \"place an immense burden on the remaining administrators.\"

- Michael Ryan, English teacher, NFA Main: Ryan, who described 29 years with the district, called the targeted list of administrators \"disheartening\" and urged the board to reconsider letting go long-serving staff who provide continuity.

- Multiple students, including Jim McNeal and Riley Mehta (seniors): Students said principals and other administrators have been stabilizing forces at their schools and that losing them would erase recent improvements in school climate. Mehta said two previously scheduled student meetings with a board member were canceled and criticized the board majority for using student meetings for political advantage; she asked that students be put on a future board agenda so they could speak to the full board.

- Dawn Fuchek, Newburgh resident: Fuchek questioned a separate personnel contract on the agenda (an HR hire) and contrasted the proposed salary with the experience of previous HR leaders. She asked the board to justify high salaries for candidates she said lacked prior, relevant experience.

- Community members and union representatives raised legal and financial concerns: Several commenters said the board should disclose the contract for a forensic audit and other third‑party consultant costs (residents said they had heard the audit might cost more than $300,000), and asked whether recent personnel moves could expose the district to litigation.

District response and context

Acting Superintendent Dr. Baughn (acting superintendent) and district staff presented a budget update and said the district is balancing competing financial and program priorities for the 2025–26 budget year. Board members said personnel matters and proposed abolishments would be discussed in executive session, and legal counsel indicated that some personnel details are appropriately handled in closed session. The board voted earlier in the meeting to allow all registered speakers to address the board that evening; the motion to allow all signed-up speakers was opened by Mr. Howard and passed on a roll call vote.

What was not decided

No formal termination votes occurred in public during the April 8 meeting. Several speakers asked the board to delay any final personnel actions until more information about the budget, the forensic audit contract and the planned organizational chart was provided.

Ending

Speakers asked the board to prioritize students and to preserve institutional knowledge by retaining experienced building leaders. Several asked for transparency on the rationale and timeline for personnel decisions and on the cost and scope of the forensic audit. Board members said some personnel matters will be discussed in executive session and that further updates would be provided at upcoming meetings.","At the April 8 Newburgh City School District Board of Education meeting, dozens of speakers — including union leaders, teachers and students — criticized the district\u000for issuing notice to 16 building-level administrators and called for transparency, reversal or delay of the personnel decisions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves student‑liaison resolution after amendments requiring board approval, three‑member presence and parental permission

Board hears $373.8 million preliminary 2025–26 budget; district outlines capital propositions and funding uncertainties

Parents, teachers and students urge Newburgh board to reconsider removal of 16 administrators