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Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Community members show support for superintendent
By EMMA FREDRICH
Parents and citizens came out in support of Dr. Roberto
Padilla last Tuesday at a Newburgh Board of Education
rally the Temple Hill Academy gym.
The school board must decide whether or not to extend
the superintendent’s contract. Padilla was given a threeyear contract when he arrived in July 2014, but the board
must decide on an extension by July 1.
Many parents and Newburgh locals came out to
support the renewal of Dr. Padilla.
Since Padilla’s arrival as Superintendent in September
2014, the number of drop outs have dropped dramatically,
and the number of graduates has increased from 67
percent in June 2014 to 73 percent in June 2015, according
to the New York State Education Department. The
numbers are expected to increase even further this year.
By the end of the meeting, more than 15 people got
up and spoke in favor of Padilla for nearly an hour
and a half. Supporters included Newburgh Mayor Judy
Kennedy, City Councilwomen Karen Mejia and Hillary
Rayford and Councilman Torrance Harvey, a history
teacher in the district.
Chris Leggett, head wrestling coach, volunteer
Assistant Girls Varsity Softball coach at NFA, and
teacher at Temple Hill Academy, stated the sentiments of
the entire crowd,
“I came to know Dr. Padilla in my second year of
teaching when I was a JV Football Coach and he was a
junior in high school,” Leggett said. “I had pleasure of
coaching him his senior year as his running back and
linebacker coach, as a varsity football assistant coach.
One of the most important relationships I have forged
is the one I have with Dr. Padilla. One of the greatest
moments as a teacher and coach was when I received a
text message from Dr. Padilla that said he was hired as
our Superintendent. It renewed my faith in our district
when he was hired.”
As the crowd cheered Leggett continued, “He is the
living embodiment of what we are trying to accomplish
in Newburgh. He’s a kid who came from the tough
streets. Everything we are trying to teach to our young
students, and our athletes, he is the embodiment of. He is
a role model for all of our students and athletes. A young
man, who made it through the tough streets, and reached
the pinnacle of our district; he is the ultimate inspiration
to me. The main reason he is here is for our children, in
a lot of the rhetoric that goes on that point is missed.”
Padilla was born and raised in Newburgh. He
graduated from NFA and went on to college to earn his
Bachelors, Masters, and finally a Doctorate Degree in
education.
A silent rally was scheduled for Tuesday night in front
of Newburgh Free Academy prior to a scheduled school
board meeting.
Leptondale Christian Academy to close
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school and the church under significant
financial pressures, which have come to a
head in this school year,” O’Dowd wrote.
“Since the end of the 2012-2013 school
year, the school and the church have
compensated for declining enrollment by
expending their reserves in order to keep
the school open. These expenditures have
been significant to the point that there are
no longer adequate reserves to cover any
future shortfall in the school’s finances.”
Following years of strict financial
measures, O’Dowd explained there was
“no viable alternative” other than to close
the school. The pastor thanked church
members, parents and school staff for
their ongoing efforts to keep the school
open. “Your efforts on behalf of the school
are to be highly commended under any
circumstance, and I thank you for your
evident passion and love for the school,”
he wrote.
He continued, “I want you to know
that we are praying for the Lord’s leading
in your lives as you make your decisions
for the next steps in your children’s
education. The lives of those of us in
LBC’s church family have been blessed by
our loving association with you through
the school.”
The Leptondale Christian Academy will close at the end of the month
“It’s a very big disappointment,” said
school Principal Pamela Burns, a day after
receiving the news. “It is much needed
education. It is going to be missed.”
The
private
school’s
current
enrollment is 99, down from 110 last year.
As of last week, 70 students had enrolled
for the fall, Burns said. “Re-enrollment
wasn’t a strong as we had hoped,” said
the principal, who took the position two
years ago. “We live in a difficult place,
financially speaking