NECSD Fake vs Fact
At the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, we believe that open, honest communication is the foundation of a strong partnership with our community. Often, speculation on social media or in neighborhood conversations, like a game of telephone, can cloud the reality of the work being done in our school buildings. You don’t have time for confusion, and you deserve the facts.
We have created this Fake vs. Fact page to serve as a direct, credible source for our community. Here, we address common rumors with verified, evidence-based information, ensuring you have the clarity you need to stay informed about our schools, our scholars, and our future.
This Fake vs. Fact page serves as a direct 'source of truth' for our community, dedicated to replacing uncertainty with understanding. By comparing common rumors and disinformation against verified data and district policy, we aim to eliminate confusion and ensure every conversation about our schools is rooted in reality.
We invite you to check back regularly as we work to keep our community informed, engaged, and empowered with the truth.
Do you have a rumor that you would like clarified? Use this form to ask your question.
FAKE: The district did not plan for millions of dollars in reserves in anticipation of pending settlement agreements. The district paid out $11M in lawsuits related to the Adult Survivors Act, not $16M as they’ve stated.
(Claim made by public speaker, during public comment on April 7, 2026)
FACT: This is False. The New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA) was a landmark law that created a one-year "lookback window,” allowing adult survivors of sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred.
By temporarily waiving the statute of limitations, the act empowered survivors to seek justice against both their individual abusers and the institutions, such as employers, schools, or prisons, that negligently enabled the misconduct. During this period, more than 3,000 cases were filed, including high-profile suits against public figures and major organizations.
The district received litigation pertaining to the ASA, dating back to claims that occurred decades prior, and settled various cases for a total of $16.3 million. The district received claims between 2019 and 2021 and was able to financially prepare for those cases that were eventually settled in 2023 and 2024. The district was uninsured for the dates referenced in the claims, so settlement payments needed to come out of the district's general fund or reserves. The district chose to properly plan ahead instead of taking a loan for the amount and incurring interest charges.
EF007920-2019 - SB, Sherman Memmelaar - $8,250,000
EF001273-2020 - AK, Sherman Memmelaar - $2,750,000
EF001776-2021 - JC Doe, Ralph Petrozello - $4,500,000
EF005710-2021 - JM Doe, Ralph Petrozello - $800,000
September 26, 2023 - ($11M)
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Board President to sign an agreement to settle the litigations of Burke v. Newburgh Enlarged City School District, et al., and Kirby v. Newburgh Enlarged City School District et al., pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Orange, Index Nos.: EF007920-2019 and EF001273-2020 as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motion by Mark Levinstein, second by Ray Burgarelli.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yea: Darren Stridiron, Philip F Howard, Mark Levinstein, Jerry R Lamar, John Doerre, Ray Burgarelli, Deborah Bouley
Not Present at Vote: Letitia Politi
November 26, 2024 (JC Doe) - ($4.5M)
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board President is hereby authorized to sign a General Release and Settlement Agreement to settle the case of “JC” Doe v. Newburgh Enlarged City School District et. al., Orange County Supreme Court Index No. EF001776-2021, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said General Release and Settlement Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motion by Thomasina Bello, second by Victoria Bousche.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yea: Philip F Howard, John Doerre, Ray Burgarelli, Christine Bello, Fred Stewart, Victoria Bousche, Mackenzie Bousche, Thomasina Bello
Nov 26, 2024 (JM Doe) - $800,000
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board President is hereby authorized to sign a General Release and Settlement Agreement to settle the case of “JM” Doe v. Newburgh Enlarged City School District et. al., Orange County Supreme Court Index No. EF005710-2021, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said General Release and Settlement Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motion by Thomasina Bello, second by Philip F Howard.
Final Resolution: Motion Carried
Yea: Philip F Howard, John Doerre, Ray Burgarelli, Christine Bello, Fred Stewart, Victoria Bousche, Mackenzie Bousche, Thomasina Bello
FAKE: The Town of Newburgh and Town of New Windsor pay higher school taxes than the City of Newburgh.
(Common misperception)
FACT: All taxpayers pay a rate based on the assessed value of their property, regardless of where their property is located. Because the six municipalities that the district receives taxpayer funding assesses properties at a different rate, an equalization rate is applied to adjust for the different calculations of each municipality. (Municipalities: City of Newburgh, Town of Newburgh, Town of New Windsor, Cornwall, Marlboro, Walkill)
NYSED school tax equalization rates are annual percentages calculated by the NYS Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPTS) to determine the ratio of total assessed value to total market value in a municipality. They are primarily used to fairly apportion school taxes across municipalities that share a school district, ensuring fair distribution based on full market value.
The NYSED school tax equalization rate, calculated annually by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, is the ratio of a municipality's total assessed value (AV) to its state-estimated total market value (MV). The formula is: Equalization Rate = Total Assessed Value ÷ Total Market Value. This rate ensures fair tax distribution across municipal boundaries.
Typically, tax dollars are included in rental rates paid by residents to their landlords. That rate is calculated independently by property owners.
FAKE: The air conditioning at the high school is broken.
(Shared by: Anyone relying on rumors, headlines, or purposely shared disinformation without reading the communication directly from the district.)
FACT: This is False. The air-conditioning units work; however, they have not been turned on for the season.
Some of our facilities utilize large-scale industrial cooling systems that require several days to reach peak operational efficiency. Once these systems are engaged for the season, they are designed to run continuously; they cannot be easily cycled on and off to match daily temperature fluctuations.
While we are experiencing unseasonably warm weather this week (92 degrees in April), the forecast for next week indicates a return to significantly colder temperatures (a high of 46 with a low of 28 on Monday; with an average high of 62 degrees for the next two weeks).
To prevent the risk of frozen or compromised pipes and to ensure the long-term integrity of our infrastructure, in consultation with our Facilities and custodial teams, the district will not turn on the cooling units until the threat of freezing temperatures has passed.
Recently updated New York State law mandates that schools take mitigating action when classroom temperatures reach 82°F and requires students to be relocated from any space that hits 88°F. While our building temperatures were approaching these thresholds, we successfully maintained a safe environment by closely monitoring readings and remaining within the legal limits. Although we did not reach the mandatory relocation point, our team remained prepared to act immediately to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff.
New York State guidelines recommend that schools closely monitor the heat index and modify or restrict outdoor activities when temperatures (above 90°F–95°F) or humidity levels reach designated "caution" zones to prevent heat-related illness among students.
