[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6479684,"mediaKeyId","5692729-4ae92b273d26e0c0215c76dcaab239e9","parentId",5692729,"title","Middletown board approves a slate of personnel and routine items; introduces new director and dean","audioSeconds",376,"startMs",252000,"endMs",628000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692729-4ae92b273d26e0c0215c76dcaab239e9&start=252&end=628","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692729-4ae92b273d26e0c0215c76dcaab239e9/thumbnail_252000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479684/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-board-approves-a-slate-of-personnel-and-routine-items-introduces-new-director-and-dean","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479684-8a6600ae125ad74a05da7504114df496/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180148&Signature=TGaz3wUylOnIvmvVy4X8Mps1j002FVoKGvPgYeGjkxl25Cm6~WnS9CCFtVSCc5naCKAIMVn4izq~ic9MpUfoHKuVxY5UfMlehBCT9FxH-mYulFvkxxmvHZAaUC0~mOIWn8idwquNYN8BhBM4coJLIQ3EimaR~04F81KiBicPMKvR6ONsGO1vwLQ4SBvrq6EicwGicFDxcpi-A3KtcjbvMjINrtXBp-BPE8EUcfPgrXV21rhasjId4CpVTB73pAsLGdyEsVHABZpdW4klJC8zAZzJ4zwZPB-82ketOaD0u~PPcRq5qaFDTcZCBNQFT29ZKLM3liIX9jzFVw4DSdUuTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown, NY","date","2025-08-27T16:58:47Z","article","The Enlarged City School District of Middletown Board of Education on Aug. 14 approved a series of routine action items — personnel, minutes and financial memoranda — and introduced two administrators who will assume new district roles.

Early in the meeting the board approved the agenda and minutes for July 31 and Aug. 7. The board then approved personnel memoranda covering instructional and non‑instructional hires and assignments, financial memoranda, special services items and a change order related to storm drainage work. All recorded votes on the items presented were unanimous, 7–0.

Superintendent Amy Creedon introduced Julie Dominguez Post as the district’s new director of ENL and World Languages, replacing Linda Rivera Bridal, who is retiring. Dominguez Post told the board she has long been passionate about language education and said her experience as a bilingual ENL educator has prepared her to support scholars and collaborate with families and staff.

Creedon also introduced Sephora Newsome as the district’s new dean of students. Newsome described nearly 20 years of experience as an educator and community leader and said she is “excited to join cohort 2025 and continue to support scholars and their families in this new role.”

Board discussion included a brief explanation of change order 3f, described by a facilities representative as additional work on Cherry Street storm drainage to install a catch basin where a new storm drain intersects an existing sewer line. The board moved and approved the change order after committee review.

Votes at a glance (selected approvals recorded on the Aug. 14 agenda):
- Approval of tonight’s agenda — moved by Miss De Biasin, seconded by Freddie Williams; outcome: approved, 7–0.
- Approval of regular meeting minutes (07/31/2025) — outcome: approved, 7–0.
- Approval of special meeting minutes (08/07/2025) — outcome: approved, 7–0.
- Personnel memorandum 4a (items 1–2) — outcome: approved, 7–0 (moved by Mister Moore; seconded by Pastor Williams).
- Instructional personnel memorandum 4b (items 1–10) — outcome: approved, 7–0.
- Non‑instructional personnel memorandum 4c (items 1–6) — outcome: approved, 7–0 (moved by Mister Perino; seconded by Mister Moore).
- Financial memorandum 5d (items 1–5) — outcome: approved, 7–0.
- Special services memorandum 4e (items 1–2) — outcome: approved, 7–0.
- Change order 3f, number 1 (Cherry Street storm drainage catch basin) — outcome: approved, 7–0 (moved by Miss Tobias; seconded by Mister Perino).
- Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) coordinators approval — outcome: approved, 7–0.
- Emergency Presidential Park air conditioning funding (see separate story) — outcome: approved, 7–0.

Clarifying details recorded during the meeting: the Cherry Street change order ‘‘is related to the Cherry Street storm drainage work and is to provide and install an additional catch basin where the new storm drain intersects an existing sewer line,’’ as stated by a facilities representative. The district noted that many action items had been reviewed by committees during the prior week and were presented for final approval.

No public comments were received during the public participation period. After action items, the board held personnel introductions and program presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The August 14th 2025 Middletown City School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board unanimously approved personnel memos, minutes and financial items and introduced Julie Dominguez Post as Director of E and L World Languages and Sephora Newsome as Dean of Students; a change order for Cherry Street storm drainage and DASA coordinator appointments were also approved.","taxTitle","Middletown, Orange County, New York","taxId",54257,"location","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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479690,"Middletown board hears first-year report on Leader in Me; students and staff highlight leadership training",718,1295000,2013000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692729-4ae92b273d26e0c0215c76dcaab239e9&start=1295&end=2013","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692729-4ae92b273d26e0c0215c76dcaab239e9/thumbnail_1295000.jpg","/articles/6479690/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-board-hears-first-year-report-on-Leader-in-Me-students-and-staff-highlight-leadership-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479690-8bcb49645d89f1e62cce029ad69903b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180148&Signature=RCLfJIN8Loi8GdVD4eJzKTYEw3~SyxTyopmAuRDpkoPcCc47EeB6zb2FxyVL4L1Otc8tUHE8d8maaOgMLqBdS28S1aWoagtvu~RBnb9JYgsBIhhiUabB~7rLyzSeo4pgUH3iK~XQT8BkJKcu9YUcZJrWb9HBsNt7BOs6gcPBR~VvV-bdXhANa4xfEF2T91VMNLzxgmv6FgJ7xXNP0CDVpx99bJrEns4RDbOSOlLievNLBw0jSLUduS8GimeEPJWdt7DjhUvwqYKodU~AHYWmY1N5vf6EGyv8I8pyykdRFm8z8mhozqU5UzTK2kgphYNQvB4CXNmiRh3-DUvwDunCWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Enlarged City School District of Middletown on Aug. 14 received a year‑one report on Leader in Me implementation from district staff and student ambassadors. Presenters described training for staff, student leadership roles and early measures the district will use to track progress.

Miss Tiffany Hall and Miss Nicole Tagney led the district presentation and were joined onstage by Lighthouse Scholar ambassadors Abby Fabian (Monhagen Middle School), Drew Moore (Monhagen Middle School), Bryce Terwiger (Twin Towers Middle School) and Emily Betantes (Middletown High School). Hall said the program’s first year focused on “planting seeds of leadership, ownership, and possibility,” and presenters said more than 700 staff completed foundational Leader in Me training.

Student speakers described how the program affected their experiences. Abby Fabian said her Lighthouse team worked “to improve the school academically by creating stronger social bonds between students and teachers.” Drew Moore said the program taught students to “speak up confidently and think outside of the box.”

Presenters described district steps to measure progress, including use of the MRA survey to gather input from scholars, staff and families. They said next steps will emphasize “advancing to core 2,” broadening leadership practices to elementary schools, and offering family workshops to create a “shared language of leadership” between schools and the community.

Board members praised the initiative. Board member Perino and others highlighted plans to extend the program into athletics and community partnerships; the superintendent said the district will support coaches and club advisors in integrating the program into extracurricular activities. No board action was required or taken on the presentation.

Clarifying details from the presentation: district presenters reported that more than 700 staff participated in foundational Leader in Me training during year one; scholar leadership roles were introduced in all secondary buildings; the district plans family workshops and community partnerships in year two. Contact information provided for community members interested in joining Lighthouse teams was lighthouse@ecscd.org (as stated at the meeting).","District leaders and student ambassadors presented results from year one of the Leader in Me program, noting more than 700 staff trained, scholar leadership roles in secondary schools, and plans to expand family and community engagement next year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479693,"Middletown board authorizes $3 million from fund balance to fix Presidential Park air conditioning",153,447000,600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692729-4ae92b273d26e0c0215c76dcaab239e9&start=447&end=600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692729-4ae92b273d26e0c0215c76dcaab239e9/thumbnail_447000.jpg","/articles/6479693/Middletown/Orange-County/New-York/Middletown-board-authorizes-3-million-from-fund-balance-to-fix-Presidential-Park-air-conditioning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479693-76e7ec8095f66192936b77b8092a7ff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180148&Signature=TRNbOeu4PpEvrTqCWrQTe8rg3OV~ZERtjB7OvPy6RyY6fYSq0-eZxNxsg3EEsHG481TtC6bu6V03DZ1swmMwr4v7Fnm87It5n~dODnTacuUh-G0qs4o4kAQ-vKgZI5zxjhI6nBNt9F9N3z8AHjK1VIuZPuQCO1FtsbJDcLEIQvJLnTs7EBFAZ1ex2v28F612K79yf12TFrI-ydOTJpTSTjHCypgow9AVyXVbLQvBj5pT0tWMfPJVdr~IyhYpWWvwqnDbVXVj3b6znjHSz1fSPkumB~yOCYckarlYsP3ttt7YGkF8IqM8H~BGbmAEWwToeYxICwMpiG6Kv8ngJv7XeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Enlarged City School District of Middletown Board of Education on Aug. 14 authorized the district to use $3,000,000 from its fund balance to pay for emergency repairs and short-term cooling solutions at Presidential Park Elementary after repeated air-conditioning failures.

Superintendent Amy Creedon told the board the measure would cover immediate fixes and the potential rental of mobile air‑conditioning units so “there’s no gap between our ability to open school on time.” She said the board’s action will allow the district to “investigate a long term solution so that we have air conditioning in that school without any delay.”

Creedon described the anticipated long-term cost as significant: “we do, unfortunately, expect that this is probably gonna be a 3 to $5,000,000 fix.” She said the building’s original units are approaching “their shelf life,” and the district intends to put the long-term work out to bid. The superintendent also framed the board’s decision in fiscal terms, saying the district maintains a strong fund balance and high Moody’s rating that allow it to respond to emergencies without immediate taxpayer impact.

Board President Estrada called for the vote after discussion. The measure was moved by Pastor Williams and seconded by Freddie Williams. The board voted 7–0 in favor.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting: the board set aside $3,000,000 from fund balance for immediate response; staff said the full, permanent repair is estimated at roughly $3,000,000–$5,000,000; temporary solutions may include rented trailer air‑conditioning units placed at Presidential Park to ensure cooling before school opens in September. The board indicated the long-term contract will be put out to bid.

No outside agency approvals were cited as prerequisites for the repairs during the discussion. The board and superintendent emphasized that using fund balance will avoid an immediate tax impact and cited the district’s historically strong fund balance and credit rating as rationale.

The board’s unanimous vote followed prior approval of a series of action items earlier in the meeting; the emergency AC authorization was the final action item before personnel introductions and presentations.","The Middletown Board of Education voted unanimously to set aside $3,000,000 of district fund balance for emergency repairs and interim cooling at Presidential Park Elementary after multiple system failures; staff said a long-term repair could cost $3–5 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Middletown board approves a slate of personnel and routine items; introduces new director and dean

Middletown board hears first-year report on Leader in Me; students and staff highlight leadership training

Middletown board authorizes $3 million from fund balance to fix Presidential Park air conditioning