[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6220019,"mediaKeyId","3619281-d1eb2a712a527440f6082338bb36551c","parentId",3619281,"title","Board approves several HR measures, tables abolition of positions after public protest","audioSeconds",5545,"startMs",131000,"endMs",5676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619281-d1eb2a712a527440f6082338bb36551c&start=131&end=5676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619281-d1eb2a712a527440f6082338bb36551c/thumbnail_131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220019/New-York/Board-approves-several-HR-measures-tables-abolition-of-positions-after-public-protest","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220019-a3462366c5cd4709eafe38f0805cf3f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447624&Signature=gukGSuOWwRCYOHCDlrB6OuPz4QQKrEnBRGXY~14I5ODpCgyPbAvzWTBjM5iDPKAeK6yo~UX0jkiIqhocxA8PSBfE~SSV1ipVDfY08nOkO~OOlL3UpqadxSFZ64InWK~~Ut3zgvJfDv4aygpH06CeewPeGFt0dgoujgkA5jbpEF8Et6ree5P4tqukVdXJvAAR6wr5kQVOw1W4DDvpP5wLCbAgqBod4A-j45Gyfh25T678tu6Zf484dqr22UhYLnWLb8jTouf2FxfN~HqJd3EvTFdz~LFxw48WDf1UNWKIU-6hRnS1vKF98aDD18DtH72m5g2wazIBW-i7OhUSYrF1OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-30T14:27:00Z","article","The Newburgh City School District Board of Education on May 29 approved a series of human‑resources measures and tabled a contentious proposal to abolish district positions after multiple members of the public urged the board to preserve staff jobs.

What the board did: The board passed resolution 7.2 (human‑resources action listed on the agenda) by roll call (tally: 6–3; yes: Mister Stewart, Miss Christine Bello, Miss Thomasina Bello, Miss Mackenzie Boucher, Miss Victoria Boucher, Mister Bergarelli; no: Mister Howard, Miss Politi, Mister DeRay). The board also approved resolution 7.7 to rescind curriculum‑writing appointments (unanimous yes on roll call), moved to table resolution 7.9 (the item proposing position abolitions) on a roll call that carried, and approved resolution 7.11 as amended (final vote as amended: yes 8, no 1). The board approved resolution 7.12 (creation of new central‑office positions) on a roll call with a divided vote (tally recorded during roll call: yes 5, no 4).

Why the items drew public comment: Dozens of public speakers — including students, parents, educators and residents — addressed the HR items during the public‑comment period. Many speakers focused on agenda items 7.9 and 7.11, which they said would eliminate experienced directors and replace some unionized positions with nonunion or differently classified roles. Student speakers who identified themselves as Newburgh Free Academy seniors warned of the human cost to students if mentors and directors were removed. Resident Dawn Fuchek cited the district’s recent budget process and said the community voted on May 20 for a proposed budget that included restored positions; she said bringing the same positions back for abolition “is not what the community voted for.”

Legal concerns and union warnings: Dawn Fuchek and others noted a letter the board received from the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) and related unions warning of possible legal action. In public comments and at the podium, speakers referred to potential claims under the Taylor Law and New York education law for bad‑faith abolitions and improper transfers of bargaining‑unit work; the board did not take a legal action at the meeting but counsel and public commenters confirmed those statutes and union processes were being cited.

Staff and board discussion: Associate Superintendent Leamer presented the human‑resources slate and the board considered separating several items from consent for discussion. Board members debated timing and process: some said the appointments and reorganizations were premature or fiscally irresponsible (noting, for example, an appointment to a future co‑principal role at a building not yet open); others defended the slate as necessary reorganization. Several board members requested job descriptions for new positions and confirmation those descriptions had been provided previously to the board and cabinet.

Clarified counts and personnel effects (as stated during public comment and on the agenda): Public commenters cited the package as including the termination of one employee, rescission of two curriculum‑writer hires, abolition of approximately 20 positions across 17 employee categories (public comment named 7 NTA teachers and 13 administrative positions), and the transfer of three principals. The board tabled the specific resolution to abolish positions (7.9), according to the roll call at the meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected HR items):
- 7.2: approved (roll‑call yes: Stewart, C. Bello, T. Bello, M. M. Boucher, V. Boucher, Bergarelli; no: Howard, Politi, DeRay).
- 7.7 (rescind curriculum writing): approved (unanimous yes on roll call).
- 7.9 (proposal to abolish positions): motion to table carried (tabled).
- 7.11 (appointment to co‑principal role, amended): approved as amended (final roll call yes 8, no 1).
- 7.12 (create central‑office positions, including communications strategist and assistant superintendents): approved (split vote recorded).

What public speakers asked for: Many asked the board to (a) restore the positions the community had voted into the budget on May 20, (b) provide transparent data and job descriptions justifying reorganization, and (c) avoid replacing unionized titles with nonunion roles. Several speakers warned that the district could face lawsuits and additional costs if the board proceeded without a clear process or contractual compliance.

Ending: Board members asked administrators to provide job descriptions and more detailed fiscal information at future meetings. With the abolition proposal tabled, the board left open opportunities for additional review and possible revision to the human‑resources slate before final implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Regular Meeting - May 29, 2025 - 6:30PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Newburgh City School District Board approved a set of human‑resources resolutions on May 29, including rescinding a curriculum‑writing appointment and making multiple hires, while the board tabled a proposal to abolish positions after strong public opposition.","taxTitle","Newburgh City School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",14388,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6220025,"Board shortens public-comment time, adopts model policy updates after heated debate",4471,119000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619281-d1eb2a712a527440f6082338bb36551c&start=119&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619281-d1eb2a712a527440f6082338bb36551c/thumbnail_119000.jpg","/articles/6220025/New-York/Board-shortens-public-comment-time-adopts-model-policy-updates-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220025-c8414c665273f03c8abf486c301af4e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447624&Signature=bItahfXRWRSPSSEZ5Y-xAlYOjjv0BnJV~84v6KVZYE8jo~rZh2pihIWKnBWVV~KE3pqAIFzQQCWBfRxp76kGxdvFbIQvETCHlf4v3~zpc070~e3OGjboJsaw0-lf9DjO3Jz1bDdbW3kiUI4~m-WBFHj9Xx~J295nsgf-Axlh4yIMJlHDHT5FKw63Xh5-U9CJ6YpFWISc73Tvi7RKIaZGk0BxaCOmOMhfGljKvmwOwDuMRPHE0yMgu-JIPERhxOsMNwHilYIiA-TDOT8izJlTYAiZ9LVo4T4-j1PUCYfInULQ7j4~OjUCW9ohTHO04K2F2bXosaWTo0D-FSuMYBn6NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newburgh City School District Board of Education on May 29 adopted changes to its public-comment policy that reduce individual speaking time and moved several model policy updates forward after debate among board members and public commenters.

The board approved resolution 6.1 to shorten public-comment time from five minutes to three minutes and to move non‑agenda public comment to the end of meetings. “At 3 minutes, you hear from 10 [people],” said Mister Howard, a board member, quoting the committee rationale; Howard opposed the change during debate and called moving non‑agenda comments “a slap in the face” to parents and community members. The motion passed on a roll-call vote: Miss Mackenzie Boucher, Miss Victoria Boucher, Mister DeRay, Mister Stewart, Miss Christine Bello and Miss Thomasina Bello voted yes; Mister Bergarelli, Mister Howard and Miss Politi voted no (tally: 6–3).

Why it matters: Board members and members of the public framed the change as a tradeoff between allowing more speakers and shortening individual remarks. Supporters said the shorter time would allow more people to speak; opponents said shifting non‑agenda comment to late in the evening would effectively silence many residents and disproportionately affect working parents and others who cannot stay through long meetings.

The board also approved resolution 6.2, a package of policy revisions provided by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSBA) and reviewed by the district attorney. That motion passed on a roll call with one member opposed (Miss Politi) and the rest in favor (tally: 8–1). Attorney Mister Shaw explained that some language in a proposed policy about superintendent duties had been crossed out because “the duties of the superintendent of schools are set forth in the education law,” and including them in district policy would create redundancy.

On a related item, 6.3, the board held a first reading of a proposed policy to add one or more ex‑officio student board members. The policy committee recommended that student board members be selected by high‑school student government, with the board retaining final approval. Board members asked how three campuses would be represented; the first reading left options open for revision before a final vote.

Public comment and committee context: Several speakers raised concerns about the public‑comment changes. Tracy Wallace, a resident who said she has researched district policy, criticized the board for crossing out long‑standing language and urged the board to “govern with your policies.” Other speakers described repeated difficulties getting substantive answers at prior meetings and linked the policy changes to broader concerns about transparency.

What’s next: The student‑member policy will return for revision after committee discussion. The newly adopted public‑comment and NYSBA policy updates take effect as board policy unless the board later amends them.

Ending: The board framed the change as an attempt to let more people speak by shortening time limits; opponents framed it as a burden on those who cannot stay late. The district attorney and policy committee members said statutory requirements and model policies guided the revisions.","The Newburgh City School District Board of Education on May 29 approved changes to its public-comment rules and adopted model policy updates supplied by the New York State School Boards Association, drawing objections from board members and public speakers who said the changes limit community input.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves several HR measures, tables abolition of positions after public protest

Board shortens public-comment time, adopts model policy updates after heated debate