A Newburgh teacher and whistleblower is sharing his experience with the district after he says he was suspended over the summer, for the fourth time, since coming forward about a grading and attendance scandal at Newburgh Free Academy.
Richard Desiderio was looking forward to another year with his students, but says he was suspended last week before he stepped foot in class.
“I don’t fear them anymore. I don’t care what they could do. For a long time, I did,” said Desiderio.
Desiderio says he has not received any information about the allegations against him and has no idea why he would be put on paid leave.
“The Newburgh school district needs to be completely dismantled,” said Desiderio. “The kids are the only reason you and I are sitting here doing this interview because I refuse to quit on them.”
MORE: Grand Jury report
Desiderio says this is the fourth time he’s been suspended since 2016 when he came forward to administration and the district attorney about inaccurate grades and attendance records for NFA students and athletes.
The evidence shared showed some student-athletes had thousands of absences that should have rendered them ineligible to play. Other records showed the district had a practice of excessively overriding online learning grades in their APEX program to pass failing students.
The evidence was part of a 2019 grand jury report that found “systemic” problems in the district.
Desiderio says since then, he was transferred from the high school to work with...
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