Newburgh School District leaders apologize following leak of photo from questionable office party
Acting Superintendent Lisa Buon told News 12 in an email Tuesday that she cannot speak publicly about personnel matters, but she does "apologize to our community regarding what appears to be conduct beyond the scope of propriety."
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Newburgh School District leaders are apologizing after learning of a risqué holiday party at the administration building, that they said, seems to have gone over the line.
News 12 obtained a photo from the party held by district administrators that disappointed their bosses.
In the photo, the district's STEM and secondary education director, Jen Newman, appears to have just popped out of a gift box wearing negligee as other administrators surrounding her were cheering.
The party, News 12 has learned, was held at district headquarters on Grand Street toward the end of a half school day, on the watch of district boss Jackielyn Manning-Campbell.
Manning-Campbell, currently suspended for unclear reasons, was the top administrator at the time of the party.
Acting Superintendent Lisa Buon told News 12 in an email Tuesday that she cannot speak publicly about personnel matters, but she does "apologize to our community regarding what appears to be conduct beyond the scope of propriety."
Newman declined comment Tuesday when reached by News 12.
Calls to Manning-Campbell have not been returned.
Several taxpayers and students said they were troubled mainly because of the party's setting: on school property, during a school day, including several district leaders.
"People are paying their taxes, so this (tax revenue) is going to all the teachers and their pay," Newburgh Free Academy senior Jack Zhingri said. "I think that this type of party should be done somewhere private."
Others are annoyed that administrators are taking the time and energy to look into the misjudged party stunt.
"I'm not going to tell anybody what they should do," Newburgh resident Deborah Brown said. "I just think that for me, when I saw the photo, I think that there are many more important things for us to focus on."
School board president Christine Bello said Tuesday she had just learned of the party and the photo that morning.
She said the board will make sure such a party does not happen at school during school hours, even if the board has to change some personnel policies.
Bello said the issue could be addressed as soon as Tuesday evening at the board's regularly scheduled meeting.
