NEWBURGH – Another smooth start followed by anger and acrimony visited Newburgh’s school board as three new members took their seats at Tuesday’s 6 p.m. meeting.
Board clerk Matthew McCoy swore in incumbents Christine Bello and Philip Howard, and new members, Thomasina Bello and Mackenzie Bousche. The board elected Christine Bello as president and Victoria Bousche as vice president by votes of 5-3; Lotitia Politi did not attend. Victoria Bousche and Mackenzie Bousche are sisters; Thomasina Bello is the niece of Christine Bello.
The two new members offered a few motions on spending, but veteran board members and Superintendent Jackielyn Manning Campbell put them in their place.
Christine Bello then offered the members of committees and the board approved them. Later in the meeting, board members acknowledged that last year’s board had agreed that the board would put forth the candidates and then approve them.
The board next went into executive session for about 30 minutes to discuss a personnel issue.
It was the opening and the expansion of the public comment period that brought about the chaos. Undertones of racism toward Campbell, who is black, and animosity among board members peppered speakers’ remarks.
Ray Harvey, who had filled an open position after four board members resigned in February and who was not elected May 21, accused new members of trying to take power from the superintendent, and board members of attacking one another.
Newburgh matriarch Lillie Howard, mother of board member Philip Howard, slammed voters in the mainly black and brown city for not electing more people of color May 21.
“Why is that so? We had the opportunity for Ray Harvey and Sade when they ran. Who showed up to vote for them,” she said. “A lot of folks are talking but you didn’t do what you were supposed to do. So things would have been a little bit different.”
Speakers also criticized a special meeting that was held Sunday. Chatting, clapping and yelling highlighted the comments as many of the more than 75 people in attendance spoke.
The public comment period continued, with the board having addressed little of the agenda, as 10 p.m. rolled around.
