School Board Rescinds Charges, Reinstates Superintendent

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

NEWBURGH – On the evening of Wednesday, September 3rd—just one night before the 2025–2026 school year began—the Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s newly seated school board held a high stakes special meeting. In a decisive 5-4 vote, the board agreed to re¬instate Superintendent Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell effective on the first day of school, nullifying her mysterious suspension earlier in the year and rescinding all disciplinary charges. The resolution declared that the charges would not be refiled and also included provisions to cover her legal fees, in exchange for her agreement not to sue the district—a notable step toward resolving the months long turmoil. Dr. Manning Campbell’s suspension, which began in late January, had come without explanation from the previous board and sparked significant community and legal pushback. A forensic audit later found no fraud or malfeasance, clearing the way for her return.

“After careful review of the charges and lengthy discussions with concerned parties and legal counsel, the board believes the charges should be rescinded by resolution and Dr. Manning should be restored to her position as Superintendent and CEO of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District effective upon a majority vote,” said Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) School Board President John Doerre as he defended the board’s decision to reinstate Dr. Manning Campbell and pointed to the findings of the audits. “The previous board voted to require two audits; one about the budget proceedings of the District and another so generic that it led to producing a bill of over $185,000. The end result was no finding of fraud, waste, or abuse on the part of the Superintendent.”

Deputy Superintendent Onyx Peterson had the honor of bringing a beaming Superintendent Dr. Manning Campbell into the meeting. Peterson has been the Acting Superintendent of Schools for the summer when she was voted in by the new board and replaced Acting Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lisa Buon upon her suspension.

“I’m hoping we can all come together as a community, as a school district, to just move forward for kids,” said Onyx Peterson who was presented by the board with flowers to thank her for a job well done as Acting Superintendent of Schools. “I was surprised! I saw them here earlier. [Director Communication Cassie Sklarz] said, ‘Oh, my boyfriend sent me flowers for the 1st day of school’… I said, ‘They are absolutely beautiful!’”

As Superintendent Dr. Manning Campbell walked into the Board Meeting after reinstatement there was an eruption of applause, hugs, and smiles. NECSD staff, board members, and community members shared in a visible outpouring of emotion.
“I’m so excited to be back. I’m going to leave all things behind and move forward. I’m leaving it in the rearview mirror… This work is too important to think about what happened in the past,” said Superintendent Dr. Manning Campbell excited to start the school year with the focus on the pressing needs of students.

Among the many accomplishments during her 2 ½ year NECSD leadership are construction projects like Vails Gate STEAM Academy and Heritage Middle School being completed under budget, distractions have been minimized with the use of Yondr pouches to store and lock cell phones, and Teachers’ retirement incentive and coaching stipends increased. She also created programs with Mount Saint Mary and SUNY Orange for high school students to earn college credits for Education and Gaming, and established a partnership with CUNY for students and advanced degrees for schoolteachers. She has facilitated Friday Night Lights giving middle school students a safe place to go on Friday nights and partnered with Mount Saint Mary College and the WNBA for Her Time to Play which is an initiative that brings female students together with athletes to learn teamwork, academic, communication, and leadership skills. Under Dr. Manning-Campbell’s leadership discreet food pantries were opened to combat food insecurity for students in need. As she returns to her role, her focus is on community engagement, numeracy, and literacy.

Among the community attendees was Pastor Enine Williams. She expressed personal and spiritual support.

“God sent her here. You can get mad. You can say what you want to say,” said Pastor Williams with an affirmation of confidence in the superintendent’s leadership. “God says she ain’t going nowhere until He says it’s time for her to go.”

The Newburgh Teacher’s Association made its presence known as well with blue-and-white signs calling for a new contract. Although asked multiple times for comment, its president remained silent.

Not every board member supported the reinstatement. Trustee Christine M. Bello voiced opposition several times. Board Member Thomasina A. Bello, reportedly frustrated, spent much of the Executive Session where the board sought legal counsel in the hallway. After the reinstatement vote, she stormed out of the board meeting and did not return—a dramatic exit underscoring the deep divisions still lingering on the board.

Ms. Jones