The Newburgh mayor says the Orange County District Attorney Office’s seizure of records from Newburgh school offices Tuesday came as a shock.

Mayor Torrance Harvey, who is also a teacher in the district, says the City Council and city government were surprised as well.

"Everybody's running around, whispering, asking what's happening," he says.

According to the district, investigators seized emails and other records on athletics and attendance.

This has caused many to speculate whether the investigation has anything to do with the board's decision earlier this month to rehire Frank Dinnocenzio as the men's varsity basketball coach.

Ten years ago, the former coach was involved in a class-cutting scandal.

Community activist Omari Shakur tells News 12 he's received dozens of phone calls about the records raid but says many residents are upset school attendance is what authorities are investigating in a city with so many problems.

A spokesperson from the district attorney’s office tells News 12 they're currently investigating all the materials seized, but wouldn't say if and when the district plans to release any more information on what the county exactly is hoping to uncover.

A source tells News 12 at least eight district personnel have already hired attorneys.