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Parents and students urge board to retain NFA P‑TECH principal Anthony Williams; separate vote on his resignation fails
Summary
A lengthy public-comment period at the Newburgh board’s July 14 meeting focused on the reported resignation of NFA P‑TECH house principal Anthony Williams. Dozens of students, parents and program alumni testified in his support. A separate roll-call vote on the personnel item did not carry and the president announced the item failed.
The Newburgh City School District faced sustained public comment on July 14 after community members urged the board to retain NFA P‑TECH house principal Anthony Williams.
Dozens of current and former P‑TECH students, parents and volunteers described Mr. Williams’ role as a mentor, advocate and connector to internships and college pathways. "He's always there helping me, always there helping me, keeping me in check," said Josiah Plassen, a recent P‑TECH graduate, who credited program successes — including a large graduating class and national recognition in an AI challenge — to the program during Williams’ tenure. Multiple parents said their children had better attendance, stronger outcomes, or key supports because of his involvement.
Several speakers urged the board to allow a process of fair, transparent accountability rather than removal. Rebecca Placid, a parent and volunteer, asked the board to consider whether concerns could be addressed through targeted supports or improvement plans: "If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then the responsible decision is not removal. It is support, development, and measured accountability," she said.
Anthony Williams addressed the board and recounted P‑TECH results from his tenure: class of 2024 had a 100 percent high school graduation rate with 33 percent earning associate degrees; class of 2025 posted a 98 percent graduation rate with 34 percent earning associate degrees; class of 2026 had a 98 percent graduation rate with 44 percent earning associate degrees. He asked the audience and board to remember the students’ outcomes as the board considered personnel decisions.
Later in the meeting the board took a separate roll-call vote on agenda item 8.1 b4 (the resignation of house principal Anthony Williams). After the roll call the presiding officer stated, "That item fails," indicating the motion did not secure the affirmative votes needed to carry.
The public-comment period drew speakers across the community — parents, alumni, volunteer liaisons and current students — who described both direct interventions by Williams on individual cases and program‑level achievements tied to his leadership. Commenters also raised concerns about fairness, transparency and the need for clear information when personnel actions affect students and program continuity.
The meeting record shows the board later proceeded with other HR business (including an amended appointment for Dr. Madeline Diamond), and the meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.
