NEWBURGH – A special meeting of the school board for Newburgh Enlarged City School District Thursday night got off to a pleasant start when board president John Doerre said he enjoyed the graduation ceremony Tuesday night. But the tone changed to anger and acrimony as soon as public comment started.
Speakers questioned the need for the special meeting, only days before a new board takes over July 2. Other speakers said animosity among board members must end.
David Rein said the board should wait until July 2 to handle any further business. He is concerned that the current board will hire people too quickly.
Board member Christine Bello said that holding this special meeting was “unethical.” She said that getting the meeting agenda with 50 items fewer than 24 hours in advance is not proper.
But board member Philip Howard said that this board can take action right until June 30.
Deborah Bouley, a retired Newburgh teacher and former Newburgh board member – she was one of four members who resigned abruptly in February – said this board is extending contracts before their due dates while the district is $10 million in debt. She repeated her plea for adding a reading program to help students read on their grade level.
Newburgh teacher, and city mayor, Torrance Harvey agreed with Howard, saying board members were elected to a term that doesn’t end till June 30. He also called on the board members to “debate in a healthy way.”
The board went into executive session immediately after the comment period and didn’t return till nearly 10 p.m. By that time many of the approximately 50 people in the audience had left.
