NEWBURGH – Whether it is the recent incidents of student fighting at Newburgh Free Academy-Main or the investigation into the charges and suspension of Superintendent Roberto Padilla, the administration and Board of Education of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, are lacking transparency with the community, State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R, New Windsor) said Thursday.
The lawmaker said for the good of the community, parents and students, there must be full disclosure about all facets of the district’s operations.
“At the end of the day, regardless of the issue, school districts are here to serve members of the community funded by taxpayers and we need to have full disclosure,” Schmitt said. “Not only as a state legislator but as a taxpayer and resident of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, my neighbors and I, we deserve and are entitled to full transparency with what is going on with our tax dollars and what is going on with any issue that directly impacts our children’s and our neighbor’s children’s education and future.”
The school board has been meeting repeatedly behind closed doors discussing the Padilla situation, even though investigators hired by the board found that he violated state and federal law regarding sexual harassment.
Sources say the board has been negotiating with the suspended superintendent about a potential severance package that includes $750,000 in cash and full benefits for two to three years.
