Schools

Verona Superintendent Departing for Denville

Steven Forte will leave at end of school year to serve town where he lives.

Updated Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. 

Verona Superintendent of Schools Steven Forte is leaving the district at the end of the school year, Board of Education President John Quattrocchi said Tuesday. 

The Denville Board of Education unanimously named Forte as the K-8 district’s new superintendent Monday night, NewJerseyHills.com reported.

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The Verona Board of Education is expected to accept Forte's resignation during Tuesday night's school board meeting, Quattrocchi said. His resignation is effective June 30, 2014.

"I wish him well in his new role and hope that his experiences in Verona allow him to be successful in Denville," Quattrocchi said.

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Forte will replace Denville Interim Superintendent Catherine Mozak after a 22-month search, according to NewJerseyHills.com. He will receive an annual compensation of $155,000, the report said.

Forte's current contract with Verona ends June 30, 2015. The contract includes a clause that allows him to resign so long as he gives at least 120 days notice. 

The contract has an automatic renewal clause, Quattrocchi said, and would have renewed automatically for another three years beginning July 1, 2015 unless Forte was terminated by the school board.

The Denville resident could not pass up the opportunity to serve the district where his children attend school, he told MyVeronaNJ.com.

Forte came to Verona in the fall of 2011. He previously served as principal of Hasbrouck Heights High School, principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Hasbrouck Heights and acting assistant principal of Glen Rock High School.

Prior to working in administration, he taught for 16 years, mostly at the high school level, in Livingston, Basking Ridge, West Orange and Glen Rock. He has also coached football and wrestling.

Forte was not immediately available for comment.


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