Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell was named Superintendent of Schools for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District at a special meeting of the Board of Education held Thursday, May 26. 

She replaces Dr. Roberto Padilla, who was placed on paid leave by the school board in August, following allegations of improper conduct towards a female district employee at a conference in San Diego earlier in the year. The district, at that time, authorized an investigation into the incident, but had never commented publicly on the matter until Friday.  At that August meeting, Deputy Superintendent Ed Forgit was named Interim Superintendent of Schools. In December, the school board extended Padilla’s paid leave throughNovember 30, 2023

The district conducted a national search with assistance of executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea Associates (HYA). Details, including the search process and desired characteristics compiled by HYA through multiple stakeholder forums, can be found on the district website NewburghSchools.org. Updates about the process were provided at Board of Education meetings regularly throughout the timeline.

 During a 24-year career in education, mainly in Mount Vernon, New York City, White Plains, and New Rochelle Manning Campbell’s roles have included teacher, assistant principal, principal, several top administrative posts and a member of the superintendent’s cabinet.

Since December of 2020, Dr. Manning Campbell has served as the Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services as well as Acting Superintendent in the New Rochelle City School District.

“Dr. Manning Campbell believes in educational excellence for all students. By outlining a clear set of values and beliefs that is practiced and reinforced by all, our district will continue to soar,” read a statement released Thursday by the Board of Education. “A district that achieves excellence sets high expectations for students, staff, parents and families – and communicating that message regularly to all stakeholders will continue to be highly successful.

“Dr. Manning Campbell believes in ensuring that leading a district that is culturally responsive is a high priority. We must commit to educating all children and continue to be driven by an equity lens. Our promise will be that a child’s zip code, skin color, language, or disability does not predict success.”

Dr. Manning Campbell holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Lehman College, and a second master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Mercy College. She received her doctoral degree in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College in 2012.

"It is a new day for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. We appreciate the expertise of the national search firm who are experts in this area and helped guide this extensive process,” said Board of Education President Carole Mineo.”We are thankful to those who participated in the various forums that provided the desired characteristics from which our Board of Education members were able to narrow our focus during the search. We'd also like to express continued thanks to Mr. Ed Forgit and Ms. Onyx Peterson for undertaking additional responsibilities of Interim Superintendent and Acting Deputy Superintendent, respectively during this transitional time. The Board of Education is looking forward to working with Dr. Manning Campbell."   

The new superintendent  will assume responsibilities on July 1, 2022.