[{"_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",6059738,"mediaKeyId","3293817-02fa640529b6fad19cf9e8e461a68ed8","parentId",3293817,"title","Board votes to postpone business meeting after heated exchange over social media and public comment","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3434000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293817-02fa640529b6fad19cf9e8e461a68ed8&start=3434&end=3434","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293817-02fa640529b6fad19cf9e8e461a68ed8/thumbnail_3434000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059738/New-York/Board-votes-to-postpone-business-meeting-after-heated-exchange-over-social-media-and-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059738-eb46836253f6ae1443955d9582d6a35c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148623&Signature=YeGl0rG4~ztO56vQyyrmILg2mrFPphkDiLxNX6D0ixo8M6591Xw4O31h~oX5vdZ4FvVgBcI1382uqGq-6C9ky7JZARXXwNkPtqRZgVy~jTPPNMbvYo4PJOfm7QUbcQ-CnjTpjy6qzXsfP06HGQMNih4pIHOqEYVdRXTJr8g-wWdUsrKFXaJ4b4n9DC04oHQyfAoZqVwJsPWJNcFQxw8rNmwrtyA0pShL7aAkUfGy5WbJtWqhry5tGA-MyUFDXsKHyyG5hSjQi8hYKpo~IoAm0JYwybvQDl~thCXrLQd9P-05h6rFvlPbruqwQih-lHQRZzYPG46Kd8exycZYOT1VxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T08:51:00.99Z","article","The Newburgh City School District Board of Education voted on May 13 to postpone the remainder of its regular business meeting to a later date, citing concerns about “misinformation circulating on social media,” a decision that provoked heated debate among trustees and members of the public.

Board President Christine Bello said misinformation on social media and the potential for disruption convinced her to ask for a motion to postpone regular business to a date later in the month. She asked for a motion “to postpone this regular meeting to a date this month that is yet to be determined.” A member of the board moved and another seconded; discussion followed.

Several trustees and public attendees objected. Trustee DeRay said the postponement was delaying “important business” and that he had requested special meetings multiple times the prior week. Trustee Bergarelli said the postponement would delay capital‑project updates and personnel actions, calling the move “a little ridiculous.” Trustee Howard, who said he has served 13 years on the board, said he had “never seen a motion like this before” and questioned the rationale for postponing scheduled business the week before the budget vote.

Legal counsel David Shaw responded to questions about the board’s obligations, reminding the room that the board must hold at least one regular meeting per month and answering procedural queries from trustees.

During roll call on the motion to postpone, trustees voted as follows: Thomasina Bello Yes; McKenzie Boucher Yes; Victoria Boucher Yes; Bergarelli No; Howard No; Politi No; Stewart Yes; Christine Bello Yes. The motion passed and trustees announced the regular business would be moved to a later, unspecified date. Board members said routinely scheduled items — including capital project updates and personnel items such as leaves of absence, retirements and resignations — would be deferred.

Members of the public and some trustees characterized the postponement as censorship. A vocal gallery member said the move was “censorship of the community” and accused trustees of avoiding accountability for fiscal decisions. Trustee Bergarelli and others urged that the board allow the agenda items to proceed.

The board did not set a new date at the meeting. Several trustees indicated they would continue to press for discussion; board leadership said the postponement was intended to preserve orderly governance while addressing disruptions and misinformation concerns.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Regular Meeting & Public Hearing 2025-2026 Budget - May 13, 2025 - 6:30PM","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees voted to postpone regular business citing misinformation on social media; the motion sparked heated debate and public accusations of censorship before passing by roll call.","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},6059743,"Newburgh proposes 5.6% budget increase with 0% tax levy; public hearing draws questions on litigation costs",1192,1806000,2998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293817-02fa640529b6fad19cf9e8e461a68ed8&start=1806&end=2998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293817-02fa640529b6fad19cf9e8e461a68ed8/thumbnail_1806000.jpg","/articles/6059743/New-York/Newburgh-proposes-56-budget-increase-with-0-tax-levy-public-hearing-draws-questions-on-litigation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059743-2cc78e2d0742c08f422bc0b5f87e4a37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148623&Signature=G~cQrSnQ-2etWVSacRpJThxEfHOpSErTR2yZUfdaXsEUwkRDw52kZdwkMa43DMyHcx4XgTn1OXilaAsnINTod95kEIzLDlqrZ6UJxpD~0WUaTgQo4CV8MuTzS0a7XLqXSIPNWYGmdXdyRMnr5tZWBpN4CQSOo2Q7ya4bIXWYO4-nNwIp6wG3fiVfEBM5oLghitqfB~wScdHIBImPQ7lIbPA4pg~dgSVDoyxX8B5DpywZZHqQE88f91qAIcXFlwyzRAnAu3iNLkW~LOH-lT7VhQrCgidfH~VAObIpt1lvsj~zCohUhYSbYali8W4y-QfyFuUedKXSjcaJ3RDBDNxw6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented the Newburgh City School District’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget to the board and public during a May 13 budget hearing, reporting a year‑over‑year budget increase and a proposed 0% increase in the tax levy.

A staff presenter said the proposed budget shows a 5.6% increase from the prior year and noted that “for 8 of the 9 previous years, there has been a 0% tax increase” and that the proposal for the coming year again shows a 0% tax levy change. The presenter described the required three‑part budget breakdown — administration, capital and programmatic — and said the programmatic portion remains the largest share of expenses, covering instruction, transportation and services for exceptional learners.

On revenue, the presenter described multiple sources without citing a single consolidated figure on the public screen: “state sources, which come in at, over $245,000,000; federal sources, which are 660,000; local sources at over 123,000,000; and then we have appropriated reserves of 1,200,000 and the appropriated fund balance of approximately $8,000,000,” and referred to state aid increasing by $20,200,000 due to excess costs. The presenter also described four propositions that will appear on the May 20 ballot: Proposition 1 (the district budget), Proposition 2 (Newburgh Free Library tax levy), Proposition 3 (improvements to Newburgh Free Academy North Campus auditorium), and Proposition 4 (clean energy improvements for Foster Town and Gardnertown contingent on grant funding). Polls were announced as open from noon until 9 p.m. on May 20.

Members of the public used the hearing to ask questions about budget details. Several speakers pressed for clarity on whether litigation and settlement costs — including amounts related to lawsuits discussed by commenters — were included in the district’s contingency or litigation line items. One commenter asked whether the board majority had been aware of pending lawsuits involving district leadership and whether litigation costs would be borne by taxpayers; the board’s staff and counsel repeatedly said the budget hearing allows questions but public officials are not required to answer all questions on the spot. Legal counsel David Shaw told the room, “The public is given an opportunity to ask questions about the matters covered by the budget. There is no duty to answer. There's no responsibility for individual board members to answer.”

A member of the public identified himself as David Rhine and described a long history in the community before asking a budget question. Tristan Welling, who said he has four sons who attended Newburgh schools, asked why taxes were not reduced after a temporary tax levy increase the prior year; he asked whether funds raised to cover a timing gap in state aid were being returned or used to reduce taxes in the current proposal. Another commenter sought clarification about whether surplus funds from the prior year had been carried forward and how they affected the proposed budget.

Superintendent Dr. Bond (identified in the meeting) told the board she would provide written responses and post them on the district website before the May 20 vote: “I will be responding in writing, and I will put it on the website for anyone to hear before the twentieth.” The board’s public hearing was later closed and the meeting transitioned to other business.

The presentation and hearing included public comment but did not produce a formal board vote on the budget at the meeting; the district’s budget and the four propositions were scheduled for the May 20 public vote.","District staff presented the fiscal year 2025–26 budget proposal showing a 5.6% year‑over‑year budget increase and a proposed 0% tax levy increase; public commenters asked about litigation and the use of prior-year surpluses.",{"_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},6059748,"Newburgh students, mentors highlight My Brother's Keeper program at board meeting",3248,72000,3320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293817-02fa640529b6fad19cf9e8e461a68ed8&start=72&end=3320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293817-02fa640529b6fad19cf9e8e461a68ed8/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6059748/New-York/Newburgh-students-mentors-highlight-My-Brothers-Keeper-program-at-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059748-3b73272b06152f8d27fbaa7a37af562f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148623&Signature=aInpVrsQ5dI9INUr9l1QxEsVf5KQWdOWdupcjZ2b9eU20P2jBcsCBkowzhspUWZ5Bt1ThzGInGxlO7k56y736wIdmMh--ocSlaX91VO2ZP7FK5fUfGRWbHkRTog59bKPn33jKvFlTCyjiz72YPA0m~V98hu~d2VAwTFLo-KLJ~xLnM3CXMSQLXsvIvoPlv7VVWwFnU8w1KselMOsdo-VeRfIaJ6WCrDdvhNhuZb8uJpfWjqr-6LwEJASahnDCFyv1aAEtrnzBa903EaiboyGKYTiP2Vsa3EQMqc3npgijLRSZq94RrWrnUOrmOTfxA3jrZ6JZkk9TmvRAOlq~b7aSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","My Brother’s Keeper fellows and their mentors presented student reflections and program results to the Newburgh City School District Board of Education at the May 13 meeting, spotlighting three district grants and calling for continued support.

The presentation, introduced by MBK facilitator Dr. Christy Brown, described My Brother’s Keeper as an initiative started in 2014 to “uplift boys and young men of color” and outlined three local grants supporting the work. Dr. Brown said the program’s fellows would give a sample of their work and leadership development to the board and public.

MBK fellows described what participation means to them. Carlos Barrios, identified in the meeting as a 2025 MBK fellow, said, “Service means to me to be there for the community, be there for my family, and be there for my brothers.” In a recorded slide, Ajay (Jay) Johnson said leadership is learned “by being thrown into the position of a leader,” adding MBK gives “support” so participants do not have to “go through it alone.” Akhir McNeil, introduced as senior class president of NFAE high schools and an MBK fellow, said fellows lead community events including the Holiday Bazaar, Backpack Giveaway and Family Reading Day. Josiah Peterson spoke about brotherhood, saying, “When I call somebody my brother, that means I'm willing to lay down my life in order to make theirs better.”

Mentors and teachers also spoke. Robert Poinsett, who identified himself as a career and technical education teacher, sports coach and MBK mentor, described bringing professional leadership experience into the classroom and asked the board to receive his testimony as an educator. A fifth-grade teacher and MBK mentor, Mr. Conway, said mentorship is “the cornerstone of a thriving community” and described MBK experiences in Albany where fellows presented before state education leaders.

Presenters told the board the district currently has three MBK grants: a challenge grant aligned to milestones that include school readiness and third-grade reading, a family and community engagement grant to strengthen partnerships, and a fellows grant that “empowers young men through a brotherhood of collaboration and connection.” The presenters said the fellows participate in two leadership symposiums annually and listed four newly inducted fellows for 2025–26.

Board members and district staff praised the program and urged planning for sustainability. Trustee Howard said the fellows “represent the Newburgh well in Albany” and urged the district to find ways to extend MBK work into middle and elementary schools and to sustain it after grant funding ends. Dr. Brown invited trustees to an MBK coronation ceremony on May 30 and said invitations would be sent by Matthew McCoy.

The recognition occurred during the agenda’s student-recognition portion and did not include board action or votes.

The presentation highlighted MBK’s six national milestones and cited that “over a hundred communities” are part of the MBK Leadership Network, framing the local work as linked to a broader initiative.","My Brother's Keeper fellows and mentors presented student work, described three district grants and urged sustained funding and expansion of the program across Newburgh schools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board votes to postpone business meeting after heated exchange over social media and public comment

Newburgh proposes 5.6% budget increase with 0% tax levy; public hearing draws questions on litigation costs

Newburgh students, mentors highlight My Brother's Keeper program at board meeting