Student, Teacher Altercation at Newburgh Free Academy Labeled Serious Incident

A physical altercation inside a classroom at Newburgh Free Academy's main campus sent a teacher to Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital on Tuesday, March 10, after the incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. and drew an immediate response from the City of Newburgh Police Department and local emergency services.

Co-Principal Susan Valentino said the district "immediately contacted the City of Newburgh Police Department and local emergency response services to ensure the teacher received prompt medical attention and support." According to MidHudsonNews, a source indicated the teacher was transported to the Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital emergency room by Empress ambulance. Neither the teacher's name, gender, nor current medical condition has been released.

Valentino declined to identify either party by name or gender, but confirmed the student "will be held to the standards outlined in the Student Code of Conduct." She added that the district "have already taken immediate steps to address the situation" and will conduct "a comprehensive review of the circumstances and interactions leading up to the event to ensure all facts are accurately established." She acknowledged that incidents like this can be "distressing to our school community."

Acting Superintendent Dr. Lisa Buon confirmed that the student was experiencing a mental health episode during the altercation. Buon said the school is working closely with the student's family and law enforcement to ensure a fair investigation, and that support is being offered to witnesses and others affected by the incident.

The City of Newburgh Police Department is actively investigating and encourages anyone with information to contact their Detective Division. No arrests or charges have been publicly announced in connection with the classroom confrontation.

The March 10 incident is not the first disciplinary matter to draw scrutiny at NFA in recent months. In a separate bilingual statement, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District disclosed that "a current student let two former students into the building" during another incident at NFA, and that "the two former students then engaged in an altercation with current students." The district said all individuals involved have been identified, current students will face disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct, and the names of the former students who trespassed have been shared with the City of Newburgh Police Department, with the case assigned to a detective.

Earlier in the school year, Superintendent Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell announced the cancellation of NFA's entire football season following an investigation into an Oct. 25 locker-room incident in which players from both the JV and Varsity teams allegedly threw chairs at one another, leaving one varsity player with serious bruises. "While I regret this outcome, it is a necessary step as we continue to gather information, support those who have been impacted, and ensure accountability for those involved," Campbell said at the time.

The district emphasized that these incidents are being handled separately and reiterated its commitment to safety, reminding all students, teachers, and staff that identification cards must be displayed visibly at all times. Students with information that could help prevent future altercations are urged to speak with a teacher, counselor, social worker, coach, or grade-level administrator.