7 Shocking Updates And New Initiatives Driving The Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) In 2025-2026

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) is currently navigating a period of significant change and high-stakes developments, with the 2025-2026 academic year already proving to be one of the most eventful in recent memory. As of today, December 15, 2025, the community is focused on a dramatic leadership saga, a newly approved budget, and the launch of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan designed to tackle post-pandemic academic deficits head-on. This article dives into the most crucial, up-to-date information every NECSD student, parent, and resident needs to know.

The district, which serves a vast area and a diverse student body, is constantly in the public eye. From contentious school board decisions to major academic overhauls, the actions taken by the NECSD School Board and administration directly impact the future of thousands of scholars. The following sections break down the most recent and impactful developments shaping the Newburgh Enlarged City School District.

The Dramatic Return of Superintendent Manning-Campbell and NECSD Leadership Updates

One of the most talked-about stories in the Hudson Valley education landscape is the tumultuous journey of NECSD Superintendent Jackielyn Manning-Campbell. Her position became the center of a major controversy for much of the 2024-2025 school year.

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The Suspension and Interim Leadership

In a surprising move, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District School Board confirmed the suspension of Superintendent Manning-Campbell pending an ongoing investigation. This decision left a temporary vacuum at the district's helm.

Following the suspension, Dr. Lisa Buon was appointed as the acting superintendent, effective February 11, 2025, to ensure the district maintained operational continuity during the interim period.

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Reinstatement Just in Time for the New School Year

In a dramatic turn of events, and following months of uncertainty, Jackielyn Manning-Campbell was officially reinstated to her position. The return was timed perfectly, as she was back at the helm of the NECSD just as the 2025-2026 academic year began. This reinstatement, following a surprise board vote, signifies a complex and often-divided political landscape within the NECSD School Board.

Manning-Campbell also holds the distinction of being the first black female Superintendent for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, a significant historical milestone for the community.

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The Approved 2025-2026 Budget and Financial Stability

Financial stability and resource allocation are paramount for a large district like NECSD. The 2025-2026 budget process was a crucial step in securing the necessary funding for programs, staff, and facilities.

Voter Approval for All Propositions

Voters in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District showed strong support for the district's financial plan. They approved all four ballot propositions during the budget and school board election.

Specifically, Proposition #1, the main NECSD Budget, passed with a significant majority. This approval ensures that the district can move forward with its planned expenditures and educational initiatives for the 2025-2026 school year, providing a stable foundation for the "Imagine 2025" strategic goals.

New Board Members Confirmed

Alongside the budget, the school board election also saw the confirmation of new leadership. Levinstein was noted as a leading vote-getter in the school board race, indicating a shift or confirmation of the community's desired direction for the governing body.

NECSD’s ‘Imagine 2025’ Strategic Plan: A Focus on Academic Recovery and Wellness

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District has launched a major new initiative to guide its operations and academic focus over the next five years: the "Imagine 2025" Strategic Plan.

Four Core Pillars of the Plan

The "Imagine 2025" plan is structured around four main priorities, each coupled with specific strategic initiatives:

• Teaching and Learning: Focused on improving instructional quality and student outcomes.
• Wellness: Addressing the social, emotional, and physical health of students and staff.
• Transformative Leadership: Developing effective, forward-thinking leaders at all levels.
• Efficient Operations: Ensuring resources are used effectively and infrastructure is sound.

Immediate Focus: Closing the Academic Gap

The first year of the strategic plan, coinciding with the 2025-2026 school year, has a specific and urgent objective: to focus on any academic deficits that scholars may face as a result of the pandemic. This targeted approach aims to accelerate learning and bring students back on track quickly.

Key Academic Indicators and Program Highlights

While the district faces challenges common to large, urban-suburban districts, several programs and recent data points show areas of significant success and focus.

2024 Graduation Rate Data

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has released the 4-year outcome graduation rate data for the Newburgh City School District as of August 2024. This data is crucial for assessing the performance of the cohort of students who entered grade 9 four years prior.

The Success of NFA P-TECH

A standout program is the Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) P-TECH program. This innovative initiative boasts an exceptionally high school graduation rate of 98.5%. Graduates from the P-TECH program have gone on to be hired by notable companies, including NASA, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in preparing students for high-demand careers.

Celebrating 50 Years of Air Force JROTC

The district’s commitment to varied student pathways is also highlighted by the Air Force JROTC program, which is available to all NFA students. The program, which started in 1975, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, marking a half-century of developing leadership and citizenship skills in Newburgh students.

New Administrative and Operational Processes for 2025-2026

To improve efficiency and data accuracy, the NECSD has rolled out new operational procedures for the current school year.

A new annual student information update process has been implemented for the 2025-2026 school year. This is designed to streamline administrative tasks, ensuring the district has the most accurate and up-to-date contact and demographic information for all scholars.

Furthermore, the district has published its 2025-2026 Single Page District Calendar and will be implementing a new 2025-2026 Safety Plan, covering essential procedures for student and staff security.

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District continues to be a dynamic and evolving institution. The successful passage of the 2025-2026 budget, the launch of the ambitious "Imagine 2025" plan, and the resolution (for now) of the superintendent's status all point toward a district focused on moving forward. Parents and residents should closely follow the implementation of the strategic plan and the ongoing efforts to address academic recovery, ensuring the district's goals translate into positive outcomes for all students.