Tighter security among plans to help combat excessive violence in Orange County school district

Inappropriate behavior, including a shooting involving four students outside of the school, fights, alleged boxing matches caught on camera in the hallways and disrespect towards staff and teachers have resulted in new measures.

News 12 Staff

Dec 15, 2021, 3:44 AM

Updated 1,090 days ago

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Following a semester of out-of-control violence, acting Newburgh Superintendent of Schools Ed Forgit has laid out plans to help combat the spike in violence. 
Inappropriate behavior, including a shooting involving four students outside of the school, fights, alleged boxing matches caught on camera in the hallways and disrespect towards staff and teachers have resulted in new measures. 
Plans entail hiring more security officers, school leaders partnering with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to conduct safety assessments of each school to see what needs to be fixed, principals holding student assemblies to review behavior expectations and launching a suspension re-entry program. 
Forgit says he is taking a stand against the violence. 
"So that we set the parameters for behavior for the students and once we clearly define that we will then support those students to be successful in achieving those expectations,” says Forgit. 
Sources close to the district tell News 12 the board is preparing several actions against suspended superintendent of schools, Dr. Roberto Padilla who was suspended in August after allegations of sexual harassment were made against him.