Superintendent's Corner

Under the leadership of Dr. Manning, the Capital Bond Improvements were revived and provided regular updates for the community. Projects overview and estimated timelines below.

• Vails Gate STEAM Academy (New Windsor) work was completed under budget, demolishing 60-year-old temporary modular classrooms and replacing them with solid structures and new spaces for music, art, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. (Finished: September 2024)
• Heritage Middle School (New Windsor) work was completed under budget, creating a new drive to provide access for emergency response, streamline traffic for school buses, staff, and families, provide additional parking to accommodate school-wide events, and update the cafeteria to improve scheduling and student experience. (Finished: September 2024)
• New Windsor School (New Windsor), which will include an updated bus loop, staff parking lot, classrooms, main office, nurse’s suite, and gymnasium. (Anticipated finish: 2027)
• Added an NFA Main Locker Room Renovation Project (City of Newburgh), updating a space for home and visiting teams that includes office space, laundry space, changing facilities, and storage - all ADA compliant. (Anticipated finish: January 2026)
• Career and Technical Education Building (City of Newburgh) (Anticipated opening: August 2026)
• District-wide air conditioning and electrical upgrades at Gidney Avenue (GAMS), Meadow Hill School, and Temple Hill Academy (City of Newburgh and Towns of Newburgh and New Windsor) (Anticipated finish: November 2025)
• District-wide electrical upgrades in Balmville, Fostertown, and Gardnertown (Town of Newburgh) (Anticipated finish: November 2025)
• Added projects to update Fostertown and Gardnertown elementary schools (Town of Newburgh), utilizing Geothermal technologies in compliance with changing NYS standards, paid for by Capital Bond reserve funds at no additional cost to taxpayers, approved by voters in May 2025.

In December 2024, under the leadership of Dr. Manning an adaptable playground for children of all ages and abilities was built at Gardnertown Leadership Academy (Town of Newburgh). It incorporates features that allow children with various physical, cognitive, and sensory needs to participate in play activities alongside their peers. This is achieved through accessible routes, modified equipment, and sensory-rich environments.

In partnership with The Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District has benefited from a donation of 66 trees, pollinator plugs, and associated labor and supplies not to exceed $34,000, adding beauty, shade, and hands-on learning opportunities at four schools (to date). 

In September 2022, Dr. Manning announced the use of Yondr pouches, providing a place for students to store and lock cell phones and other electronic devices during the school day, minimizing distractions and promoting focus on academics. 

Teachers who responded to a survey about the use of Yondr pouches in school reported: 

• Disruptions decreased 71.2% from the use of cell phones in school (Multiple/Frequent disruptions)
• Attention increased 89.6% on classwork for students during class (Greatly or somewhat)

The NECSD was featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, Bloomberg, Edutopia, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (Switzerland), Network Rai (Italy), News12, and the Mid Hudson Times to demonstrate the positive impact this approach has had on learning. 

Beginning in September 2025, all schools in NYS will follow a similar protocol to minimize distractions from personal electronic devices in schools. 

Dr. Manning values the development of personnel, promotion from within, attracting highly qualified talent, and retaining highly valued personnel, while remaining fiscally responsible. Under the leadership of Dr. Manning, initiatives with these values in mind include: 

• Promotion of a program where teaching assistants earn credits toward becoming certified teachers. 
• A two-year analysis of staffing that allowed the abolishment of pedagogical (teaching) and non-pedagogical (support staff) that were no longer needed, resulting in zero (0) lay-offs when facing a budget gap.
• Teachers' retirement incentive is higher than the negotiated contract, demonstrating appreciation of seasoned professionals and commitment to fiscal responsibility. 
• Added longevity to athletic coaching stipends, resulting in a competitive increase that had not previously been granted, demonstrating appreciation for qualified professionals and promoting commitment to our student athletes.

Dr. Manning has a strong focus on amplifying student voice. Under her leadership, student focus groups have contributed to major decisions. Dr. Manning led a focus on reinvigorating student participation in student activities. She has visited the Student Council on numerous occasions and has been an established member of NFA’s monthly book club. As a result, there has been a 10% increase in students reporting feeling a sense of belonging at our high school campuses and a 6-8% increase in social-emotional practices at the high schools. 

• Celebrated the 10th year of NFA P-TECH program, which had a 100% high school graduation rate in 2023-2024.  (Partially grant-funded at no additional cost to the taxpayer)
• Created two additional Early College High School programs with Mount Saint Mary College and SUNY Orange for students interested in earning college credits toward Education and Gaming (Computer programming). (Partially grant-funded at no additional cost to the taxpayer)
• Establish a partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) system for high school students and advanced degrees for teachers.

Dr. Manning firmly believes in collaboration with parents as partners because research shows that students with parents who are involved are more likely to have academic success. She expanded the Family and Community Engagement team, as well as activities for families to learn and grow along with their students. Dr. Manning also welcomed personal connections with families and educators through her regular Chats with Jackie series.

Under Dr. Manning’s leadership, the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) program has been revitalized, receiving recognition from the National My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and being named an MBK Alliance Certified Community in 2025.

In application and receipt of this federal grant in 2022, Dr. Manning has championed the GEARUP program. More and 1,200 students have visited college campuses as a part of GEARUP or other pupil personnel initiatives. GEAR Up is a competitive grant program of the U.S. Department of Education that increases the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education by providing States and local community-education partnerships to offer support services to high-poverty, middle, and high schools. New York State students beginning in 7th grade through their freshman year in college, who are participating in the program, will have access to support services, including tutoring and homework assistance, academic counseling, mentoring, college and career counseling, financial literacy, and professional development to help them enroll and succeed in college. New York State GEAR UP also provides professional development to teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Developed a relationship with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to provide a safe and productive space for middle school students on Friday nights, developing valuable social-emotional skills and positive decision-making skills, and a means to build productive relationships, as well as homework assistance. (Funded through Grants and Orange County at no additional cost to the taxpayer)

Her Time to Play is an initiative that has been developed under the leadership of Dr. Manning that brings young girls in our McKinney Vento program together with high school scholar athletes to learn teamwork, communication, academic, and leadership skills. As part of the program, students travel to tour, learn about, and watch the New York Liberty. 

Through a partnership with Scholastic and a strong devotion to improving literacy, Dr. Manning has initiated several opportunities for students to develop a love for reading while developing critical literacy skills. Through a Summer Reading series, regular attendance and sponsorship of the NFA Book Club, donations received and purchases made from Scholastic, and partnering with groups of students as volunteers, Dr. Manning has provided dozens of Book Buckets throughout our community and given scholars in grades PreK-12 packs of books of their own to bring home.