Newburgh parents and residents appeared at the Newburgh Board of Education meeting on March 19 to discuss a student assault that took place at Meadow Hill School the previous week.

On Friday, March 15 at approximately 2:20 p.m., Town of Newburgh Police were called to the school for the report of an assault. Police arrived to find the victim, a 13 year-old-girl, apparently struck in the head by a 13-year-old boy. The girl was transported to Montefiore Saint Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, where she was treated and released. The boy was taken into custody by the Town of Newburgh Police.

After conferring with the Orange County District Attorney’s office, it was determined that the suspect would be charged with assault 2nd degree, a felony. He was processed and later released to the custody of his parents. He will appear in juvenile court at a later date.

Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell, Superintendent of Schools, addressed the incident in a statement prior to public comment on the matter. She clarified to the public that the district is not permitted to share specific information about students.

“On Friday, the Town of Newburgh Police Department responded to Meadow Hill School and charged a 13-year-old male student with assault in the second degree, a felony, after an altercation with a 13-year-old female at the school,” she stated. “In order to protect the privacy of our students and the rights that they have as individuals, the district cannot get into more specific details regarding any individual involved.”

Parents and other community members came forward to speak on the matter, calling for more emphasis on security and safety. “The disturbed individuals that commit acts such as this should be recognized and given the help that they need out of the district,” said parent Joseph Ammons. “My thoughts of strength and power go out to the family and for this poor child that had to go through this horrible incident simply by going to school for the day.”

“The district sends out robocalls for two hour delays, federal holidays that come around every year but nothing for a male student brutally beating a female student in a classroom full of kids,” said parent Tarsha McNeil. “Parents were informed via students calling from the school or upon their return home.”

Arabella Tantono, an eighth grader at Meadow Hill, also spoke to the board about the incident. Tantono shared in a follow-up conversation that she had been picked up five minutes before the incident and that the female student involved was a friend of hers.

“Safety in our schools is essential in creating an environment where students and teachers can thrive. When students feel safe, they are more likely to be able to focus on their studies and engage with the material being taught. When safety is compromised, whether due to physical hazards, bullying or other threats, students and teachers may feel anxious and distracted, hindering their ability to learn and teach effectively,” said Tantono. “Newburgh schools should be a safe haven for learning and personal growth and any form of violence or aggression should not be tolerated. It goes against everything we stand for as a community.”