District overview
Newburgh Enlarged City School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
Who pays for Newburgh's schools, and how much is flexible?
Newburgh is a high-need district in Orange County that gets about two of every three budget dollars from New York State. Local property taxes pay about one dollar in three. The board has kept the tax levy flat in 2026-27 and is trying to rely less on one-time reserve money.
State aid is the largest source
The 2026-27 budget projects $259.8 million from the state, $124.7 million local and $0.7 million federal, plus $8.8 million of reserves and fund balance. State aid is expected to rise $14.1 million, mostly BOCES, transportation and building aid.
Tax levy is flat
The 2026-27 plan has no tax levy increase. The only increase in recent years was 2.48% (about $2.7 million) for 2024-25. Voters approved the budget May 19, 2026, 1,385 to 1,056.
Spending is rising anyway
The budget is $394.1 million, up 3.9% from $379.3 million, with salaries at $178.8 million and benefits at $115.4 million. The district cut 35.6 positions, saying all were retirements or vacancies.
A nine-member board decides
Board members are elected to staggered three-year terms in the May budget vote. The board lists eight trustees after one resigned in summer 2026 and adds a non-voting student member. Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell is superintendent.
A balanced flat levy does not mean costs are flat. Enrollment fell from 10,634 to 10,064 in five years, while staffing needs for the new CTE building and special education grew. The auditors' 2026 report also found a control weakness in accounting records.
Where the district stands
Up 3.9% from $379,252,199 in 2025-26. Approved by voters May 19, 2026.
Down 336 from 2024-25 and 570 over five years.
Calculation: $394,068,884 divided by 10,064 students. It includes debt service, transportation, benefits and capital costs, so it is not the amount spent in a classroom.
About 66% of the budget.
Flat; the 2024-25 increase was 2.48%.
$15.0 million; state limit is 4%. It was 5.03% a year earlier.
All vacant or retirements, per the district; 7 non-CTE positions added and 26 staffed for the CTE building.
Down 2 points; ELA is about 29%, up 6 points.
Major projects
New career and technical education (CTE) building
Opened September 2026A new full-day building for career training, including HVAC, plumbing, barbering, dog grooming and veterinary science. It was 78% complete in January 2026 and opened for the 2026-27 school year.
- Voters approve the capital proposition.
- Groundbreaking (fall 2024).
- Project reported 78% complete.
- Superintendent reports the building has opened.
Funding
May 2019 capital bond vote. The 2019 estimate was $62 million; a June 2023 construction estimate was $92.7 million. The district says added cost comes from the same proposition.
South Middle School receivership plan
Continuation plan under wayThe state placed South Middle in receivership. The superintendent has receiver powers. The plan focuses on student discussion, harder tasks, quick checks for understanding and family partnership.
- First public hearing on receivership.
- Continuation plan presented to the board.
- Second public hearing with 2026 test results.
Funding
State school improvement grant funds and district resources; a $19,850 consulting contract was debated in March 2026.
District strategic plan
Presented Sept. 2026A plan built with staff, students and community to make routines more consistent from school to school and to prepare for new state graduation rules.
- Deputy superintendent presents the plan.
- Board receives a progress report on its goals.
Funding
Not stated in the reviewed recording.
New Windsor Elementary reconstruction
Addition under constructionA new building addition and upgraded mechanical systems at New Windsor School; Balmville also had upgrades.
- Footings and foundation walls poured for the lobby addition.
- Superintendent: work continues at New Windsor.
Funding
2019 capital proposition (a $300 million bond program, per district staff).
Recent news
Board and committee recordings from the district YouTube channel were read as auto-caption transcripts, together with posted budget, plan, policy and audit PDFs. Figures labeled verified come from those collected records.
Get alerts for Newburgh Enlarged City School District
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
View alerts for this district