NECSD Appoints Dr. Lisa Buon Despite Objections

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

NEWBURGH – “That’s illegal!” yelled the crowd on Tuesday, January 28th at the Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) Board of Education’s meeting at Newburgh Free Academy as the board voted to appoint Balmville Elementary School Principal Dr. Lisa Buon as Acting Superintendent. The staff and school board were unsure if it was legal as their regular legal counsel was not in attendance. Board Member Philip Howard advised them to appoint Deputy Superintendent Onyx Peterson who has been running the district since Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell was suspended amid investigation and whose contract states that she would act as superintendent as a vice president would act as president if a president could not fulfill their duties. Others did not want to vote as there had not even been an interview. No executive session was held concerning the matter. Dr. Lisa Buon, who has filed civil rights cases against NECSD for employment discrimination, will commence her role on February 11th.

Lillie Howard spoke about Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell’s suspension.
Lillie Howard spoke about Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell’s suspension.

Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell began her assignment on July 1st,2022 as Superintendent of Schools after a nationwide hunt. Superintendent Dr. Manning Campbell was suspended with pay and benefits on January 23rd during a special Board of Education (BOE) meeting with a 5-4 vote. This comes after a shooting near Newburgh Free Academy’s campus and after controversy over the budget. The public has not been given a reason for the suspension and investigation. Dr. Manning Campbell declined to comment.

During the January 28th meeting parents, clergy, and the community demanded answers and fought to keep Dr. Manning Campbell. Deputy Superintendent Onyx Peterson gave clarity on the budget and explained reasons for the surplus citing Medicaid reimbursement, interest earnings, and utility taxes to name a few. Rev. Dr. Torrence Robinson contested the suspension of Superintendent Dr. Manning Campbell, highlighting her contributions to educational excellence and community engagement, and urged the board to reinstate her.

“I stand formally to contest the recent decision suspending Superintendent Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell with pay without cause. This action not only disrupts the continuity of leadership within our district, but also raises concerns about transparency and due process. Superintendent Manning Campbell has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the educational excellence and well-being of our students, faculty, and community. Under her leadership, this district has achieved notable improvements… and found a way to engage community stakeholders to volunteer their time to strategize how to reduce violence at the high school and middle school level. The decision to suspend Dr. Manning Campbell without a clear and justified cause undermines the progress we’ve collectively made and should be working towards in this district,” said Rev. Dr. Torrence Robinson who was in a doctoral program with Superintendent Dr. Manning Campbell and began volunteering because of her.

Shade` Burks is a parent. She was concerned not only with transparency, but fiscal responsibility.

“How do we develop the district if the people don’t know what’s going on? If we suspend this superintendent, and if we fire her, we’re now paying her three years of salary plus another superintendent three years of salary… How are you all saving the district money?” asked Burks.

Board Member Philip Howard proposed that the board considered suspending the rules to allow everyone who signed up to speak to share their thoughts. It was voted down. The community was outraged. Ms. Christine M. Bello, BOE President, banged her gavel several times to try to maintain order. The meeting lasted until 1:35 am only to adjourn and not give any updates after the last Executive Session. Much of the community had already gone home. The rest were highly disappointed in the outcome.

“We have to get back to the education of our kids and that’s the important thing. Whether it’s Dr. Campbell, whether it’s Dr. Buon. We need to understand our kids are the utmost importance. That’s the key… Understanding that we need to make sure our children, our scholars, get the due diligence that they deserve,” said Board Member Philip Howard.