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Board elects John Doray president, approves HR resolutions including separation and resignation for assistant principal
Summary
At its July 1 organizational meeting, the Newburgh City School District Board swore in newly elected trustees, elected John Doray president and Mark Levenstein vice president for 2026–27, approved routine consent items and two human‑resources resolutions involving Dennis Class, and heard public questions about CTE and principal hiring.
The Newburgh City School District Board of Education on July 1 swore in three newly elected trustees, elected John Doray as board president and Mark Levenstein as vice president for the 2026–27 school year, and approved a slate of consent items and two human‑resources resolutions concerning Assistant Principal Dennis Class.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, followed by roll call and administration of the oath of office to trustees Philip Howard, Leticia Politi and Ray Burgarelli. The board then opened nominations for officers; Leticia Politi nominated John Doray for president and Mark Levenstein for vice president. Both were elected by roll‑call vote.
"I very much appreciate your confidence, and I will work very hard not to let you down," John Doray said after taking the gavel.
The board approved a series of consent items across divisions — human resources, technology, finance, curriculum and exceptional learners — by roll‑call votes. The Division of Human Resources presented items 10.1–10.22, covering personnel actions such as resignations, probationary appointments, assistant principal appointments, teachers on special assignment and other staffing matters. The board voted to add and approve two walked‑on resolutions related to Assistant Principal Dennis Class: approval of a termination of the terms of a separation agreement dated June 30, 2026, with authorization for the board president to sign the settlement, and acceptance of Class’s resignation effective close of business September 30, 2026.
During the public comment period, Dawn Fucheck of the Town of Newburgh asked specifically about agenda items 10.6 and 10.18 and who would run the building after staff moves and promotions. District administration replied that an administrator would provide interim coverage through the summer while the district completes interviews for a principal vacancy, that the current assistant principal would remain until a replacement is secured, and that the district expected to have a candidate identified in mid‑July with a possible start in August if necessary.
Administrators also provided an update on the career and technical education (CTE) program and the P‑Tech initiative. Officials said curriculum work and grant planning are underway, interim staffing has supported the transition, and an assistant principal for the CTE program has been or will soon be identified to lead implementation.
Votes at a glance: John Doray was elected board president and Mark Levenstein elected vice president for the 2026–27 school year; consent groups for HR (10.1–10.22), technology (11.1–11.2), finance (12.1–12.11), curriculum and instruction (13.1–13.3), and exceptional learners (14.1–14.4) were approved; the board approved the walked‑on resolution to terminate the separation agreement with Dennis Class and separately approved accepting his resignation effective Sept. 30, 2026. All recorded roll‑call votes in the meeting were affirmative as recorded on the transcript.
The board recognized the newly appointed middle school principal in attendance and adjourned after completing the scheduled business. The meeting record notes that the separation agreement will be included in the minutes and that forthcoming meetings will continue personnel and policy work.
