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

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.