MIDDLETOWN — The Board of Education for the Enlarged City School District of Middletown on Sept. 4 appointed Camila Doma as acting superintendent, approved a retroactive paid personal leave for district employee Amy Bridal in a 5-4 roll-call vote, and approved a package of personnel, financial and construction items.

The board voted unanimously to appoint Camila Doma to serve as acting superintendent effective Aug. 29, 2025, giving her “all the powers and responsibilities of the superintendent” until the board takes further action. The board also approved a retroactive stipend of $175 per day for each day Doma serves as acting superintendent, retroactive to Aug. 29, 2025.

The board placed Amy Bridal on paid personal leave retroactive to Aug. 29, 2025, after a roll-call vote that split the board 5-4. The motion was moved by Pastor Williams and seconded by Dr. De Jesus. The roll-call recorded the following votes: Dr. De Jesus — yes; Mr. Estrada — no; Mr. Moore — yes; Mr. Perino — no; Mr. Rhett — yes; Vice President Romero — yes; Miss Tobias — no; Mr. Freddie Williams — yes; Pastor Williams — no. The motion carried 5–4.

Why it matters: the acting-superintendent appointment installs interim leadership with an added daily stipend and retains the underlying employment terms for the district employee whose duties are affected by the administrative change. The close vote on the leave motion indicates division among board members on a personnel matter that was recorded by roll call.

What the board approved

- Appointment of Camila Doma as acting superintendent, effective Aug. 29, 2025, with a $175-per-day stipend retroactive to Aug. 29, 2025 (motion carried 9–0).

- Paid personal leave for Ms. Amy Bridal, retroactive to Aug. 29, 2025 (motion carried 5–4, roll-call recorded above).

- Reappointment of David Coats as athletic director under a one-year memorandum of understanding (motion carried 9–0).

- Approval of administrative personnel memorandum 7a, instructional personnel memorandum 7b (items 1–11), and noninstructional personnel memorandum 7c (items 1–9). These personnel memoranda were approved earlier in the meeting without recorded roll-call votes and were announced as carrying 8–0 prior to adjournment to executive session.

- Financial memorandum (8D, items 1–3), including notice of a UPK open house and associated family event; that package was approved 8–0 earlier in the session.

- Special services memorandum 6E (items 1–2) — approved 8–0.

- Two change orders for the Twin Towers construction project, concerning a leaking valve in the existing geothermal manifold and the addition of two zone control valves to the fire sprinkler system; approved 8–0.

- A stipulation of agreement between the district and the MTA (identified in the meeting as the MTA) to address morning contractual details at the middle school — approved 8–0. District staff described the stipulation as allowing a 15-minute morning period used for security/ambassador-type support and scholar arrival procedures.

Details, discussion and context

The acting-superintendent appointment and the leave motion were added to the agenda after the board returned from executive session. Board members moved to amend the agenda to include an administrative appointment for the athletic director, the grant of personal leave, and the appointment of Camila Doma as acting superintendent; the amendment passed unanimously.

District staff identified the reappointment of David Coats as a one-year athletic director appointment governed by a memorandum of understanding. The board approved that appointment by unanimous vote.

On the paid personal leave for Amy Bridal, the board conducted a roll-call vote after one motion and a second; the vote produced a recorded 5–4 majority in favor of placing Bridal on paid leave retroactive to Aug. 29, 2025.

Facilities director Bill Bartlett briefed the board on the Twin Towers change orders, telling the board the two items were requested to repair a leaking valve in the existing geothermal manifold and to add two zone control valves in the fire sprinkler system to accommodate construction phasing and facilitate future repairs and maintenance.

On the stipulation with the MTA, district staff described the agreement as addressing “contractual concerns around the [middle school] arrival,” adding that the 15-minute morning window would be used to support scholars arriving in the morning and to provide added security and supervision. The board approved the stipulation without recorded objection.

Routine personnel and financial memoranda covering hires, resignations, and program notices (including an upcoming UPK open house and children’s program) were approved earlier in the public session before the board entered executive session; those votes were announced as carrying 8–0.

Process and next steps

Board members said they expect to continue with regular operations; the board announced the next scheduled meeting for Sept. 18. The public session that concluded the Sept. 4 meeting followed an executive session on legal and personnel matters; the board returned to public session to complete the listed action items.

Ending

The board adjourned after approving the amended agenda items. The district will post the final board minutes and the updated agenda on its website.