Statement from Interim Superintendent Ed Forgit about Recent Threats

May 2, 2022

Dear Newburgh Enlarged City School District Community, 

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate the threats being received through social media. The District is taking each and every threat seriously and conducting thorough investigations in collaboration with law enforcement. 

We have been very fortunate that each of these threats has been unfounded. However, I want to assure you that each and every threat  will continue to be addressed with a high level of concern. 

Unfortunately, these threats on social media are taking much needed time away from providing instruction and raising anxiety levels of the members of our school community.  Because of this we have deployed critical response teams to each school that receives a threat to address the anxiety. These teams assess the impact of the threat and how it may be affecting the students and adults in the school. Then, a support team is identified and deployed to address the identified needs. 

I want to thank the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Troopers. Each of these agencies responds each time a threat is made. They collaborate to complete the investigation and provide additional staffing to protect our schools. Today, the Town of New Windsor Police Department placed an officer at  both Temple Hill Academy and Heritage Middle School. The CIty of Newburgh Police Department provided additional presence at NFA Main and NFA North. Bomb sniffing dogs from the New York State Troopers,  the City of Newburgh Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department completed site assessments at NFA Main and NFA North.  

In addition, we need your support to prevent further threats. Please speak with your child and discuss with them how these threats are impacting our entire community. Please encourage them to share the names of individuals who may be responsible. The Newburgh Enlarged CIty School District has so much to be proud of and allowing these threats to overshadow the efforts of our students and staff is unacceptable. We are committed to identifying each and every individual responsible for these threats. We will also advocate that all  individuals involved in threatening our schools receive the greatest consequence allowed under the law. 

Sincerely, 

Ed Forgit, Interim Superintendent

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!