A new state ruling now allows the Newburgh School Board president to remain in his seat during proceedings to remove him. 

The school district filed a complaint with the education department against Darren Stridiron earlier this month.  

The New York State Education Department denied the district’s request in a letter dated Oct. 24 to take Stridiron off the board during the proceedings. 

Stridiron has been vocal against multiple district policies and decisions for years. He’s accused by the district of willful neglect of duty for allegedly disclosing information that wasn’t supposed to be public and for making unfavorable remarks about the superintendent.  

The district’s attorney, David Shaw, says the denial is common practice and not indicative of the outcome.

“The denial of such a request is not atypical in proceedings which have led to the removal of a board member,” says Shaw.

Stridiron, meantime, has filed an appeal. 

"Many people do not know the behind the scenes of what is happening here," says Stridiron. "My filing needs to be in the hands of the public.  Only with full transparency can positive change be made here. The public deserves transparency."

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