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Residents urge board to adopt policy limiting family members serving together
Summary
Several community speakers asked the Newburgh school board to consider a policy preventing multiple family members from serving concurrently, citing appearance-of‑conflict concerns; trustees agreed to refer the request to the policy committee and consult legal counsel.
Multiple public commenters urged the board to adopt clearer governance rules to prevent appearances of conflict when multiple family members serve on the same board.
Carla Johnson was listed on the public comment roster and Tracy Wallace, speaking as a community member, asked the board to amend Board Policy 21.21 to prohibit more than one family member serving concurrently and proposed a broad definition of family that includes spouses, parents, grandparents, children and extended relatives. She noted that other Hudson Valley districts have similar language and said the policy helps protect public trust.
Carol Maeda, Laverne Davis, Angela Paul Ghetto and Sarah Maida expanded on those concerns during non‑agenda comment, warning that multiple family members on the board can create the perception of coordinated voting and could concentrate influence over decisions affecting a nearly $392 million budget. Trustees acknowledged the public concern and several members recommended the matter be taken up by the policy committee with legal counsel to determine what local action is permissible under state law.
What happens next: Trustee Howard said the policy committee will put the item on its next agenda, consult legal counsel, and return a report and recommendation to the full board.
