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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , June 1 , 2016
Padilla contract up for review
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renewed ,” explained Fucheck , who served on the school board for nine years . “ You have to have a quorum of yes votes and that would be five , in this case . If they don ’ t get those , his contract will not be renewed .”
Padilla is currently serving out a three-year contract . The school board is required to provide him with a year ’ s notice if it decides not to renew his contract , which would be “ huge loss ” to the students of the school district , said Fucheck . “ You ’ re looking at an individual , in place for almost two years , who has done everything he said he was going to do ,” said Fucheck .
“ He ’ s increased the graduation rate . There has been a decrease in the dropout rate . He speaks strongly for the district community . He ’ s at every event . He ’ s held meetings in different locations to make it more convenient for families who can ’ t get to district offices or schools . He ’ s reaching out to the community .”
She added , “ The children know who the superintendent is because he makes himself known .”
Padilla , a Newburgh native and former teacher and principal in New York City , began serving as Newburgh superintendent of schools in 2014 . A year later , the district graduation rate had increased by 10 percent . A host of other accomplishments followed .
Temple Hill Academy was designated a struggling school by the New York State Department of Education and placed in “ superintendent receivership ” by the state in 2015 . This meant Padilla had two years to bring the school up to state standards . Padilla and school staff managed to steer the school off the list in seven months . At the same time , the district announced two other schools , Newburgh Free Academy and Meadow Hill , were also in good standing .
Padilla also spearheaded the creation of the district ’ s five-year , strategic blueprint . “ Vision 2020 : The Way Forward ,” lays out a plan for the school district , calling for technology upgrades , staff training and a focus on early literacy , among a litany of improvements .
Last year , Padilla represented the school district in the Small Cities Lawsuit , testifying in Albany on behalf of the school district which , along with seven other school districts , claimed the state violated students ’ right to a sound education by not providing sufficient funding . “ We are advocating on behalf of our kids ,” Padilla said shortly after his testimony .
Moreover , the district budget has remained within the state-mandated , tax levy limit for the last two years and
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Newburgh BOE President Carole Mineo ( shown with Padilla at left ) did not respond to a request for comment last week
the district ’ s fund balance was increased by $ 4.4 million in Padilla ’ s first year on the job .
In addition to other district achievements , NFA is currently in round three of the XQ Super School Project , a contest that could land the district a $ 10 million-grant to design a new high school .
Fucheck was asked why she thought the four board members would try to rid the district of the superintendent in the midst of progress . “ He said he would hold employees accountable ,” Fucheck said . “ There ’ s resistance to that and resistance to the change that it takes to turn the district around .”
In its 2014 report , “ The Spin We ’ re In : High turnover in school superintendents impacts districts ,” Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress states , “ No matter the district , in the case of long-term district performance goals , a substantial degree of stability in the superintendent ’ s office will likely be required in order to attain achievement .”
The public-policy report went on to state that “ more emphasis and training time is needed on the roles and responsibilities of board members , on those of the superintendent and on how boards and superintendents can relate effectively to one and other . Too many times … it is a lack of understanding of the boundaries of those roles that lead to internal political strife and turnover .”
Former board member Ed Lawson said he , along with Fucheck , was part of the selection process in choosing Padilla as superintendent . “ We selected him ,” said Lawson . “ Many of the things he said he would accomplish he did in two years .”
Lawson pointed to the graduation rate increase as an example . “ I would charge you to go out and find any school district with that significant a jump in graduation rate ,” he said .
Lawson also noted that , during Padilla ’ s term , there have been no school closures , which he described as “ a big issue for a lot of parents ” in past years . In fact , a school has been added to the district , said Lawson , speaking about the new NFA West campus , set to open later this year . “ There is no negative I can see ,” he said . “ What are they judging ?”
Parents in the school district expressed their concerns over Padilla ’ s contract renewal last week . “ In the spirit of transparency , I would hope the Board of Education members would make their decisions and their rationale publicly known ,” said Mark Levinstein , a district parent who ran for a board seat in the school district election last month .
“ His contract should definitely be renewed ,” said Sylvia Santiago . “ He ’ s been a breath of fresh air for the district . He ’ s given the district guidance and a positive vision .”
“ I fully support Dr . Padilla and the vision he has for our scholars and district ,” said district parent and city Councilwoman Karen Mejia . “ I hope his contract is renewed . We owe it to the kids .”
Board members will vote whether to renew Padilla ’ s contract at a Board of Education regular meeting on June 14 . The public may sign up to speak on any agenda item at the start of the meeting . Public comment is limited to 30 minutes .
The Newburgh school board will meet at 5:15 p . m . on Tuesday , June 14 at the Board of Education / Library Complex , located at 124 Grand Street . An executive session is expected to take place between 6 p . m . and 7 p . m .