Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Watch the Verona Board of Education debate on the issue of a new school security director.
The Verona Board of Education discussed creating a new position to concentrate exclusively on school safety versus hiring an outside safety auditor, during its public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Verona Superintendent Steven Forte and board of education member Glenn Elliott took opposing viewpoints, with both men amicably discussing the pros and cons of each action while other members of the board weighed in. The audit would cost the district about $20,000 while the new part-time security position would be an annual cost of somewhere between $20,000 and $25,000, said Forte. Watch the discussion for yourself. Key times in the video are: 20:25 Board Member Glenn Elliott introduces topic of school security. 21:20 Elliott states his concerns …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
One idea requires district to create a new Director of Security Emergency Preparedness position to head school safety.
The Verona Board of Education unanimously agreed the safety of children attending district schools is of paramount importance, but what the board couldn’t agree on Tuesday night was the method to reach that goal. One scenario the board discussed involved the district hiring an outside safety auditor. This was followed by discussion where the district would create a new position to concentrate exclusively on school safety. In the latter discussion, Verona Superintendent Steven Forte and board of education member Glenn Elliott took opposing viewpoints, with both men amicably discussing the pros and cons of each action while other members of the board weighed in. “My concern is that we are layering on another administrative expense when we …
Friday, December 21, 2012
Police investigated an alleged bomb threat in Montclair and an incident in West Caldwell; other districts increased security and reevaluated policies.
North Jersey schools have been barraged by threats and rumors in the wake of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., prompting some districts to increase security and reevaluate safety procedures. In Essex County, police and school officials investigated an alleged bomb threat at Montclair High School and an incident at James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell the week after the Newtown shootings. On Monday, a James Caldwell HS student was removed after school officials learned the boy kept a list of eight names —believed to be fellow students —in a notebook. Parents of the students named in the notebook were notified, school officials said. On Tuesday, a bomb threat found on Twitter evacuated Montclair High …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Verona, Cedar Grove districts review procedures following 26 deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday.
The Verona and Cedar Grove School Districts are re-examining their safety guidelines following the Friday, Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. School officials have been in close contact with local police to ensure the safety of all Verona and Cedar Grove students. Verona Following the tragedy, Verona Superintendent Steven Forte held a conference phone call with Verona Police Chief Douglas Huber. “We decided it would be important to make some adjustments in the short term and work to indentify areas that could be improved in the long term,” said Forte. For the short term, Verona schools will: In the long term, Verona Police and the Verona School District will complete an audit of school security procedures and drills, …
