Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that an Orange County Grand Jury has issued a report that makes specific recommendations as to how the Newburgh Enlarged City School District can improve its attendance policies and curtail improper use of its computer online credit recovery program.
The investigation began in 2017, after a former teacher and varsity athletics coach at the Newburgh Free Academy made a complaint to both the New York State Education Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office regarding manipulation of Newburgh Free Academy student-athletes’ attendance records, and on a larger scale, chronic student absenteeism.
One District employee testifying about lax student attendance policies noted, “I think it’s too easy. It’s too easy a process. You know, we’re pushing these kids through school. We’re not focusing on academics like we should.”