Newburgh board accepts clean audit, approves superintendent goals, personnel actions and new policies

The Newburgh City School District Board of Education on Oct. 14 accepted the district’s annual financial audit, approved the superintendent’s 2025–26 goals, authorized multiple personnel agreements and adopted new and revised policies.

Auditor Doug Zimmerman of EFPR Group told the board the firm will issue an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district’s basic financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, and an unmodified report on extra-classroom activity funds. Zimmerman said a separate federal grant compliance audit remains in process and is expected after Office of Management and Budget guidance is finalized. He also noted one material weakness related to accounting records and significant audit adjustments that the audit recorded as item number 25,001.

The board approved the audit as part of finance consent items (10.1–10.14). The consent package passed on a roll call after discussion; individual votes on separate finance items were recorded later in the meeting.

Why it matters: An unmodified audit indicates EFPR found the district’s financial statements materially consistent with Government Accounting Standards Board requirements. The material weakness highlights an internal-control issue the district will need to address in coming months.

What the board approved - Superintendent goals: The board voted to approve the superintendent’s 2025–26 goals as presented. Several trustees praised the goals’ priorities but some trustees said the goals lack measurable targets; Trustee Christine Bello, Trustee Thomasina Bello and Trustee Boucher voted no on that item. - Personnel and contracts: The board authorized multiple staffing actions, including agreements adopting terms for an assistant superintendent for student support services and an agreement authorizing a deputy superintendent to receive a stipend while serving as acting superintendent on an interim basis. Trustees raised questions during debate about job descriptions and whether those were provided with the contracts; board members received assurances those job descriptions are available on request prior to future votes. - Policies: The board approved on second reading and adopted a new fraternization policy (policy 9,112) with associated regulations that include student education and training measures. The board also voted to rescind policy 9140.1 (staff complaints and grievances) in order to replace it with a narrower policy targeted at non‑represented employees and aligned with General Municipal Law requirements. - Youth and after‑school programs: The board passed a resolution to authorize the superintendent to execute a letter of support for YouthBuild (a workforce program operated locally with partners including RUPCO) to be included in a Department of Labor grant application. The board also approved Empire after‑school programming and other measures intended to expand community after‑school activities. - Tenure and HR items: The board approved a tenure recommendation for one staff member and a range of human resources appointments, position creations and restructurings presented on the consent calendar. Several new My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) positions were created and funded from the general fund to sustain the initiative pending new grant opportunities. - Legal settlement (walk‑on): The board authorized a walk‑on resolution to execute a settlement agreement in the federal case Sands Wugai v. Jacqueline Mandy Campbell, et al., SDNY case no. 23CV7539.

Discussion and dissent: Several trustees pressed for more specificity on measurable outcomes and timelines in the superintendent goals and asked that job descriptions be supplied with future personnel contracts. Trustee Christine Bello repeatedly requested copies of certain contracts and said she could not support an item where she had not seen the underlying agreement. Other trustees defended staff and administrators’ work and described community programs and outreach efforts led by district staff.

Public comments and context: Multiple public speakers addressed the board during the meeting. Several speakers expressed grief and concern after a recent tragedy in the district that involved a sixth‑grade student; the superintendent and board members said the district is coordinating with law enforcement and community partners and will host a community meeting. Parents and community members also raised issues about special‑education services and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, school facility concerns, counseling staff at NFA West and student access to bathrooms and internships.

Next steps: District staff said they will provide the June financial closing and related reports now that the audit has been accepted and will work to respond to trustees’ requests for job descriptions and contract copies. The administration also said it will pursue a community presentation explaining the special‑education process and options for parent members and supports at upcoming board or community meetings.

Ending: Most consent items, including the audit, passed by roll call. Several measures passed with recorded no votes from some trustees; trustees and staff said they will continue follow‑up work and public communication on audit findings, personnel roles and special‑education supports.