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Parents and students urge Newburgh board to reinstate crew coach after Saratoga incident
Summary
Multiple parents and students asked the board to lift the suspension of NFA crew coach Brittany Bone Steel, saying permission slips placed off‑water responsibility with guardians and arguing the coach was punished for student misconduct outside team activities.
Several parents, students and recent team members addressed the Newburgh City School District board on June 9 to request reinstatement of Crew head coach Brittany Bone Steel after her suspension following misconduct by some athletes at a regatta.
"She clearly communicated the expectations to families both verbally and in writing," said Britney Almeida, a parent, urging the board to reconsider the suspension and noting many parents had been told they were responsible for students outside official team activities.
Courtney Baxter, another parent, said children who misbehaved remained eligible to participate while the coach lost her position and asked, "What are we teaching our children when we allow someone to take the blame for them?" Baxter also raised concern that six graduating seniors on the crew team may miss their annual banquet.
Students who spoke described Coach Bone Steel as a longstanding leader and source of support. "She has always been the first person to step up and provide support in any way possible," said Isaiah Alvarez, a varsity rower, asking the board to weigh the coach’s years of service and the written permission forms sent to families.
Speakers repeatedly referenced pre‑trip permission slips that, they said, defined the coach’s supervisory responsibilities as limited to on‑water activities, races and team meals, and placed other oversight with guardians. Several speakers requested the board carefully review where responsibility lies and to restore the coach.
Board members did not take immediate public action during the meeting. The matter had been raised earlier in an executive session and one or more personnel items were discussed behind closed doors; the public record from this meeting records only the public comment and not the board’s confidential deliberations.
The speakers’ comments will be part of the public record; parents said they expect the board to consider the written trip instructions, the district’s disciplinary policy and parity in how student misconduct and staff discipline are handled before issuing a final determination.
