The Newburgh Board of Education and the Newburgh Enlarged City School District will revisit evaluations of the Goldbacks football coaching staff on Thursday, March 20, following public outcry over their dismissal.

During the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, March 11, players, parents and community members waited more than an hour for a decision regarding the coaching staff. The football program has faced scrutiny in recent months following an incident involving players in a locker room. An investigation into alleged Code of Conduct violations led the district to cancel the remainder of the football season, preventing Newburgh from competing for the Section 9 Class AA championship.

In a statement released in late February, the district announced it would move on from the entire coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season. While the investigation has concluded, the district has not disclosed its findings to the public. Parents and community members have expressed frustration with district leadership, particularly Athletic Director Christian Hodge Sr., who is the subject of a petition calling for his resignation. The petition has gathered 689 signatures since its launch in late January.

During Tuesday’s meeting, attendees held signs reading “Save Newburgh Athletics” and cheered for players who spoke in support of the coaches. Several Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) coaches were present, listening as players voiced their concerns. As more supporters arrived, an overflow area was set up in the district office lobby.

Senior Bruce Montgomery kept his remarks brief but emphasized the coaches’ role in helping athletes advance to the next level of play. He urged the board to reconsider its decision.

Brayden Gonseth, a member of the Class of 2024, praised the coaching staff’s impact on Newburgh football.

“The district is asking the head coach, who is the winningest coach in NFA history, and his staff, who have played football at a high level, to step away for something they had nothing to do with,” Gonseth said. “Asking them not to return kills what they built, hurts young athletes who want to learn under this amazing staff and affects former players like me.”

Senior Jonathan “JJ” Ceglio echoed those sentiments, describing the coaches as mentors and father figures.

“I can confidently say that these men were more than just football coaches,” Ceglio said. “When the higher-ups try to destroy something that is near and dear to me, that’s where I draw the line. The actions of a few should not determine the reputation and futures of the majority.”

Parent and NFA alum Caitlin Lazarski spoke in support of the program and her husband, who is a coach and an NFA graduate.

“For my husband, coaching has never been just a job—it’s a calling,” Lazarski said. “When it came time to lay down roots and raise a family, we chose to come home to Newburgh because we wanted to give back to the community that shaped us. For the past 17 years, my husband has done just that—teaching, coaching, mentoring and guiding young men to succeed on and off the field.”

Rick Ceglio, president of the Goldbacks Youth Football and Cheer League, expressed concerns about the district’s decision.

“It is astonishing how this decision came to be,” Ceglio said. “An unfortunate event was used to erase years of dedication, mentorship and leadership. Did anyone stop to consider the impact this decision will have on these players?”

More parents defended the coaches’ character and their positive influence on student-athletes. After the public comment period, the board entered an executive session and requested the presence of Assistant Superintendent Onyx Peterson and Hodge.

Upon returning from executive session, Board Attorney David Shaw read a statement on behalf of the board.

“The board intends to have the evaluations of the football coaches revisited and to have them appear at a meeting of the board’s personnel committee on March 20, 2025, at 6:45 p.m.,” Shaw said.