By Alberto Gilman
Newburgh Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell has been suspended with pay and benefits following a Newburgh Board of Education vote at a special meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23. The board voted 5-4 to suspend her, with Board President Christine Bello, Fred Stewart, Victoria Bousche, Mackenzie Bousche, and Thomasina Bello in favor, and Philip Howard, John Doerre, Ray Burgarelli, and Letitia Politi opposed.
Efforts to obtain clarification from district offices on Friday, Jan. 24, were redirected to Bello, who declined to comment. Board Attorney David Shaw did not respond to inquiries before publication. A message from District Clerk Matthew McCoy’s office on Monday, Jan. 27, confirmed the suspension pending an ongoing investigation. The statement emphasized the board’s commitment to legal compliance and accountability but did not disclose the reason for the suspension.
In a statement to the public, Bello addressed community concerns:
“The board understands the concerns and emotions surrounding this decision. Our priority is to ensure fair and thorough processes while meeting our commitments to the proper governance of our school district. We are bound by confidentiality rules, which limit the information we can share at this time. However, we want to assure our community that we are fully committed to sharing what information we can in a timely manner.”
Bello also acknowledged the situation’s impact on the community:
“We remain committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all our students, staff, and community members. We ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this process and work towards resolutions that reflect our shared values and commitment to unity.”
The special meeting on Jan. 23 followed another held on Friday, Jan. 17, during which the board voted 7-1 to conduct an investigation into the superintendent. The superintendent was not identified in that resolution. On Jan. 23, Superintendent Manning Campbell and other district administrators were absent.
Before entering an executive session lasting over 90 minutes, board member John Doerre unsuccessfully motioned for a 30-minute public comment period on agenda and non-agenda items. Doerre’s subsequent motion for a comment period after the session also failed. Before voting on the suspension, some board members expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
“A vote yes for this resolution, in my opinion, is the most fiscally reckless and irresponsible decision a board member could make,” said Politi. Howard added, “I’m hopeful this vote will not pass. I think it’s premature. More information is needed. I’m going to assume and hope that people put the care of the scholars of this district in front of personal agendas.”
Doerre criticized the board’s actions, saying, “The five members who abstained a few weeks ago are the same five members who tonight, on two occasions, voted to tell these people we don’t want to hear your voice. You said it loud and clear, we do not want to hear the community’s voice, yet we are about to vote on something that impacts the entire community in a very, what I view, personal opinion, negative way.”
Manning Campbell’s suspension marks the second time in recent years that a Newburgh superintendent has faced this outcome. Her suspension follows that of former Superintendent Roberto Padilla, who was suspended in the fall of 2021 amid allegations of improper conduct involving two female district employees at a San Diego conference. An internal investigation deemed the results inconclusive, and Padilla’s paid leave was extended through November 2023 under a separation agreement approved by the board in December 2022. While no criminal charges were filed, the two employees filed a sexual harassment and workplace retaliation lawsuit. Padilla later became superintendent for Community School District 7 in the Bronx.
Manning Campbell, appointed superintendent in May 2023, received a salary increase from $285,000 to $300,000 in January 2024 following a 5-3 board vote.