Darren Stridiron who has often clashed with fellow school board members and the school’s administration during his tenure, is the new school board president.

He was elected as the new Board of Education president for the 2023 school year following a 6-3 vote during the Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s annual reorganization meeting on Thursday, July 6. Stridion succeeds former board president Carole Mineo.

“I am honored to be elected as the President of the School Board. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a dynamic group of Board members to tackle the big issues of the District and ensure that all students realize their full potential. We can change many policies that will address safety and educational guidelines. The Board sets the goals and educational agenda and the Superintendent and her team implements these policies and plans. We are wasting no time because so much has to be in place by the first day of school. Changes are coming that are well overdue,” said Stridiron in an email.

Stridiron first joined the board as a new member in 2014 and has served for the past eight years. During his tenure, Mineo was president of the board and Roberto Padilla served as superintendent of schools until his dismissal in 2021.

“The goals for the Board will be finalized soon, and we know that the results are what matters. We cannot have a school environment that is unsafe and chaotic. We have to have high expectations for everyone that works and studies here in Newburgh. The educational results over the last few decades are unacceptable, and this new Board will make every effort to put academics and safety first. That foundation must be built, and we will have measurable goals for all to see,” Stridiron said. “The previous administration has left us in a mess, and we understand the task ahead of us. No one wants their children to graduate without hope for a better life. We are in a situation now where many of our graduates are not prepared for success. That is unacceptable. We cannot pass students in classes for the sake of creating space for the next student. We need to develop programs and processes that give every student the access to information and resources to unlock the greatness within them. I know we can do this if we work together for higher standards for everyone.”

At the re-organization meeting, Letitia Politi, Deborah Bouley and Ray Burgarelli took the oath of office and were each sworn in by District Clerk Mona Novotny as new members. Several months ago, Politi, Bouley and Burgarelli, first-time candidates, were three of nine candidates that were running for the board.

With the board president seat open for the 2023-2024 school year, Philip Howard made the nomination for John Doerre to be appointed board president. Renee Greene nominated Stridiron for the position of board president.

Prior to the board vote, Doerre addressed the board with some reflections notably referencing the legal filing of a lawsuit by Stridiron.

“I learned in this public forum something I didn’t know before, that a current board member has a $45 million lawsuit - million with an “M” - against the district,” Doerre said. “Can a board member who would like to appear as a fiscal champion be at the same time a board member looking for a settlement from the same institution where they profess to be a fiscal champion?”

Stridiron said the $45 million lawsuit referenced was in relation to another legal filing with the Newburgh district back in 2019 for his older son Matthew who was facing difficulties related to transcript records. Twelve different charges were brought in the lawsuit but was brought down to three. According to Stridiron, he and his family offered to settle the suit for $25,000 in October 2021, which was not taken by the district.

“We actually wanted to avoid having to depose them,” he said.

Another matter that was brought before the board was a situation involving Stridiron’s younger son Zachary, who he has disclosed in public comment has special needs. It was during his son’s transportation to and from his education facility that his son was being treated poorly.

A litigation hold letter, a letter that requires the preservation of all data if involved in legal action, was filed with the board clerk and handed to other members of the executive team. “There is no legal action, current legal action against the school district [in] regards to Zachary’s situation,” said Stridiron. “It is just a formality.”

Doerre received three votes for the nomination of president which included Howard and Levinstein. Stridiron included received six votes for president from all other members. For vice president, Doerre was also nominated for the position but lost again to new board member Bouley with a 6-3 vote. During the later part of the meeting, Board of Education Committee appointments were made for the 2023-2024 school year following a submitted list, pending approval, into the record by Stridiron.

Howard and Doerre commented on the committee appointments after they were read into the record. “Based on the committee assignments it’s pretty clear what the agenda is. My comments are very short, I think you [directed at Stridiron] should be embarrassed,” said Doerre.

“It’s obvious what’s going on here tonight and I’m going to say it. As the president of the board that is your right, that is your decision to make those committee assignments but I would like to say also the work that I do in this community, the work that I do in this district, the work I have done in my life working with young children, particularly children of color and caucasian included will never be stopped,” said Howard. “You can continue to do what you’re doing, you can continue with the assignments. These kids are my heart.”

Ray Harvey addressed the board on the lawsuit, the committee assignments and the request to amend items concerning roles and responsibilities of the superintendent.

“We got a sitting president who’s got a lawsuit against my school district and I don’t hear nothing about that. Why not? Why not?” said Harvey. “We should be working hand in hand with the superintendent and her administrative to make sure that we are correcting what’s going on, right? Not coming here trying to undermine her. Let her do her job. We should be focusing on education.”

Newburgh teacher Sabrina Dolfinger also added comments about the meeting.

“First of all, welcome to the new board members, I do hope that when you start making decisions about the school district, about the kids in the school district, that you have the kids in mind, not some prior agenda,” said Dolfinger. “I’m a little concerned that it seems that the people who are on the committees don’t represent the Black and Brown kids in the district. You need to make decisions about who is going to be on committees based on their record and what they do for kids.”