Dear Newburgh Enlarged City School District Families and Staff,

The safety of our students and staff comes first in every decision we make. I am writing to update you on the recent boiler and carbon monoxide concerns at New Windsor School. I also want to correct inaccurate information being shared online.

What happened

• Monday, October 19: Steam was reported in one classroom and the adjacent hallway areas. Out of an abundance of caution, we closed New Windsor School while the situation was assessed.
• Tuesday, October 20: A carbon monoxide sensor malfunctioned and triggered an alarm. This was determined to be a faulty sensor, not a new leak or hazard. The New Windsor Fire Department responded, tested the building, and confirmed there was no carbon monoxide present. The fire department then turned the building back over to district leadership. Families were notified by direct letter earlier today.

Students entered the building only after it was confirmed safe. We would never open a building if there were any indication that it was unsafe.

How safety decisions are made

Our decisions follow New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements and state law. When a safety concern arises, the district must act immediately with qualified professionals and emergency responders, as we did. The fire department is the agency that responds to alarms, verifies on site that a building is safe, and returns it to district control. NYSED does not send inspectors to clear a building after an equipment issue. The local town building department does not inspect public school buildings or have jurisdiction over school buildings. 

What we are doing now

• A temporary carbon monoxide monitor is in place while the faulty sensor is repaired.
• Qualified district professionals are continuing to assess and service the boiler.
• We are following all district and state safety procedures and will continue to do so until repairs are complete.

Where to get accurate information

Some of what is being shared on social media is inaccurate. It has caused unnecessary alarm for families, placed added strain on our staff and first responders, and pulled attention away from teaching and learning. Our students deserve a calm, focused school day, and misinformation makes that harder. As a community, we must consider our sources of information and think critically about the intentions behind purposeful misinformation being shared with our community. Please rely on official district communications for accurate, up-to-date information: the District website, email, and robocalls. 

The Deputy Superintendent and I visited New Windsor to verify the project repair timeline, support students/staff, and address any concerns directly. New Windsor Town Supervisor Steve Bedetti was also present when we arrived. We would like to thank the New Windsor Fire Department for their quick response, their thorough verification of our building’s safety, and their continued partnership.

A special thank you goes to New Windsor School Principal Mr. Dennis Camt for his steady leadership throughout this situation. He supported and led his staff calmly and with care, and he worked closely with families to make sure they were well informed every step of the way. 

Thank you, as well, to our families and staff for your trust and support as we work together to provide a safe learning environment for our school community. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell
Superintendent of Schools
Newburgh Enlarged City School District