Ground-breaking Ceremony For Education Center

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Wednesday afternoon an ensemble of shovels sliced through a lofty mound of dirt on 220 West Main Street in the City of Newburgh, signifying the official commencement of a construction project that transcends far beyond its brick and mortar exterior.

“Goldback nation just got a lot bigger today up on this hill,” affirmed Senator Rob Rolison about the morning’s significance.

The space is a historic and expansive undertaking in the form of a 132,424 square foot Newburgh Enlarged City School District Career and Technology Education Center (CTE). Offering over 20 concentrations of study, including ones such as; Automotive Technology and Body Repair, Cosmetology and Barbering, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Fashion Design and Photography, the pivotal part of the Capital Bond Project, heavily supported in May, 2019, CTE will include passionate teachers with vast and varied experience in their fields and guided by a distinct, relative and dynamic vision.

“This place will not just be about preparing students to pass tests, but directly enter the workforce-have a career with real, tangible skills, right out of high school,” explained John Etri, Director of Career and Technical Ed and HS Visual Arts. “We want our students to be more than scholars, but to give back to the community.”

Etri continued by providing a concrete example of a hypothetical student graduating from CTE, starting his own business right in Newburgh and hiring other Newburgh-based residents and graduates, developing an integral cycle of staying in one’s community, helping its economy grow and ultimately giving back, a precious facet of building partnerships and bonds, connecting schools with their communities on a deep, meaningful level.

It’s that united, mutually benefitting philosophy embedded in this $250,000 project, one that symbolizes “incredible trust and belief, an affirmation by the NECSD that says we are behind you and are going to teach you and really commit to your futures,” according to Rolison, that NECSD Superintendent, Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell alluded to in her remarks.

“Right now this is brick and mortar, but what will bring it to life is the students and teachers that will be occupying it,” said Manning Campbell as she proudly surveyed the surrounding grounds. “This space symbolizes a shared community state-of-the-art building, where curiosity and creativity can grow; it will serve as a hub for families, the community and students, helping provide job opportunities for people as well as preparing our student scholars for careers.” She added, “This is a place where scholars can learn and grow, futures be shaped, dreams and passions realized, and students can return to be mentors.”

Located directly adjacent to the district’s main high school building, CTE has an anticipated completion date for the summer of 2026. Unlike many other districts, NECSD does not transport students to an outside BOCES site; rather, it has always traditionally kept those programs in-house at the high school, adding even more excitement to this historic, hugely transformative project whose future possibilities are countless.

“We have to stop disparaging vocational education,” emphasized Assemblyman, Jonathan Jacobson.

All present were in agreement: This “investment,” not only for its monetary price tag but its comprehensive support, is a glaring affirmation for learning real, applicable skills while in high school, building priceless self-esteem and hope for all those impacted in the process.
Sporting a blue NECSD hard hat, while an expansive smile covered his face, Mayor Torrance Harvey, joyfully articulated his stance on this “auspicious occasion.”

“This place will be equipping our students, with real skills to pay the bills.”