Newburgh Enlarged City School District Awarded $10 Million for Clean Energy Infrastructure and Student Wellness
The Newburgh Enlarged City School District (NECSD) is proud to announce it has been awarded more than $10 million in funding through New York State’s Clean Green Schools Initiative. The award, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on April 27, is part of a statewide effort to modernize educational facilities, improve indoor air quality, and transition toward sustainable energy solutions.
The funding will allow the district to implement transformative environmental upgrades at two key school buildings. The centerpieces of the project include the installation of ground-source heat pump systems (geothermal) to electrify HVAC operations and eliminate fossil fuel usage. Additionally, the district will install state-of-the-art ventilation and filtration systems, which are expected to improve indoor air quality and reduce total energy use in the targeted buildings by 55 percent.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant will support the district’s commitment to future-ready education by incorporating clean energy activities directly into the student curriculum, providing "living laboratory" opportunities for NECSD scholars.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jackielyn. Manning Campbell, expressed excitement regarding the impact on student health and district sustainability:
"This historic investment is a win for both our students and our community. By modernizing our facilities with ground-source heat pumps and advanced filtration, we are creating a healthier, more comfortable learning environment where our scholars can thrive. This project doesn't just reduce our carbon footprint; it integrates sustainability into our classrooms, preparing our students for the green economy of tomorrow."
Board of Education President, Mr. John Doerre, highlighted the fiscal and environmental responsibility of the project:
"The Board of Education is thrilled to receive this $10 million award, which allows us to make critical infrastructure upgrades without placing the financial burden on our local taxpayers. Eliminating fossil fuel usage and cutting our energy consumption demonstrates our commitment to being responsible stewards of both our environment and our public resources. We thank Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for recognizing Newburgh as a priority district for these vital improvements."
Kimberly Rohring, Assistant Superintendent for Finance, highlighted the collaborative effort required to secure the funding:
"Securing a grant of this magnitude is a rigorous process, and we are incredibly grateful for the expertise of our partners at CSArch. Their collaboration was instrumental throughout the NYSERDA application process and with the sophisticated design of these ground-source systems. This partnership ensures that we are implementing the most efficient, cost-effective technology available to benefit our district for decades to come."
The Clean Green Schools Initiative is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and funded through the Governor’s Sustainable Future Program and the Environmental Bond Act.
Newburgh is one of only five "Priority Districts" across New York State to receive funding in this round, further solidifying the district’s role as a leader in school facility modernization.
About the Newburgh Enlarged City School District
The Newburgh Enlarged City School District serves a diverse population of students in the City of Newburgh, Town of Newburgh, and Town of New Windsor. The district is committed to providing a high-quality education that inspires students to become lifelong learners and productive members of a global society.
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
