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 …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Verona Board of Education will meet Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. at Verona High School.
When the Verona Board of Education meets at at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, the agenda will include a “District Fact Book update” from Verona Superintendent Steven Forte as well as discussion of the 2013 to 2-14 school year budget. The board is also re-examining some of its policies regarding school trips after a resident presented some concerns during its last public meeting on Jan. 22. At a June 2012 board meeting, the board announced it will tighten its rules about chaperoning class trips after a group of fathers supposedly held a party in a cabin during a fifth-grade camping trip. After speaking with Verona father Shawn Luftglass, the board decided to re-evaluate some of the policies concerning which parents are permitted to chaperone …
40.84256
-74.24792
Verona High School
151 Fairview Ave, Verona, NJ
/articles/verona-superintendent-to-discuss-2013-2014-school-budget
744135
/locations/8798071
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Verona Board of Education will once again re-examine how they choose chaperones to give equal opportunities to parents.
The Verona Board of Education is once again contemplating a re-evaluation of some district procedures when picking chaperones from school trips. At the June 19, 2012 board meeting, the board announced it will tighten its rules about chaperoning class trips after a group of fathers supposedly held a party in a cabin during a fifth-grade camping trip. H.B. Whitehorne Middle School Principal Yvette McNeal emailed details of the incident in a letter to parents of all fifth graders earlier that week. Additional details were learned at that night’s meeting, including information the fathers, who were supposed to be chaperoning the 10 boys, left them without a chaperone while they lit fires and drank alcohol at another cabin during a five-hour …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Members of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee are seeking Verona residents as members for their Strategy Action Teams.
The Verona Board of Education is working on a new five-year strategic plan, to take effect beginning September of 2013. Elizabeth Jewett, Director of Instruction Studies, updated the Verona Board of Education on the developments of the strategic plan, which aims to “ensure our collective focus and resources remain centered upon student achievement.” Jewett is working with a steering committee comprised of 25 members of the Verona community as well as Consultant Judy Ferguson to develop the mission, goals, strategies, core values and commitments of the Verona School District. Jewett is looking for additional members of the Verona community for Action Teams to “outline the expectations and result for each strategy.” Action Team members will …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The Verona School District has seen a decrease in students who are partially proficient which means an increase in students who are proficient or advanced proficient.
The Verona Board of Education reviewed a preliminary report on district testing results for the 2011-2012 school year, during its Tuesday night public meeting. The district has seen a decrease in kids who are partially proficient on the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA), said Forte. “We always look to have a zero but we brought our number down,” he said. “Any percent decrease is a good thing.” Decreasing the number of partially proficient students means that more students were in the proficient or advanced proficient categories, which signals an improvement in test scores. “It's a preliminary test report,” said Forte. “In the spring when the rest of the data is realesed we will provide a more comprehensive report.” The full …
The Verona Board of Education reviewed preventative strategies to stop Cyber Bullying.
The Verona Board of Education has seen a drastic decrease in Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) over the past year. On Tuesday night, the Board reviewed a presentation on bullying statistics, which is required two times a year by the Department of Education, said Superintendent Steven Forte. In 2011, there were 22 causes investigated and nine were confirmed as HIB. This school year, there have only been three separate cases of HIB, being investigated by the district, the report said. Only one confirmed case of cyber bullying has come before the board this year, which involved H.B. Whitehorn students in September 2012. To curb instances of HIB, the district has been looking into preventative measures:
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Incumbents John Quattrocchi and Joseph T. Bellino re-elected to the Verona Board of Education, while incumbents Frank G. Mandala Jr. and Laura Marinelli were re-elected in Cedar Grove.
Incumbent board of education candidates in both Verona and Cedar Grove were re-elected after uncontested elections in both towns. Incumbents John Quattrocchi and Joseph T. Bellino will retain their seats on the Verona Board of Education, while incumbents Frank G. Mandala Jr. and Laura Marinelli were re-elected in Cedar Grove. Quattrocchi received 2,896 votes while Bellino received 2,673 in Verona. In Cedar Grove Mandala received 2,251 votes while Marinelli received 2,296. “There are still unfinished items I wish to accomplish, one being facility upgrades,” Mandala, the Cedar Grove board president said. Chief among the issues he will pursue in his new term are facility upgrades including a new football field and track at Cedar Grove High …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Ballot question seeks voter approval to change program length.
Verona voters will have the final say on full-day kindergarten when they vote on Nov. 6. Kindergarteners currently attend three-quarter-long days, but some parents have gone to the board seeking to extend the day. “There have been some concerned parents that want to go to a full day and we agreed that if voters support it, then we would be happy to have it,” said Superintendent Steven Forte. If passed, kindergarteners would attend school until 12:30 p.m. from September through the winter holidays. In January, students would begin a full day, ending at 2:45 p.m., if the measure passes. Parents opposed to the full day said the idea was unnecessary and said kids should be kids and be able to be home, Forte said. “I can see both sides,” he …
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Board approved Camp Bernie trip in 3-1 vote during Thursday night meeting.
The Verona Board of Education has agreed to let middle school students attend a week at Camp Bernie, a year after fathers were accused of drinking while they were supposed to be chaperoning students. The board made the decision to approve the trip after drafting a 12-page set of regulations that goes over chaperone behavior, details how they choose class trips, how the trips get approved, what kinds of things teachers need to think about, the responsibility of principals, how to choose chaperones and a form chaperones will need to sign stating they will abide by the rules, said Superintendent Steven Forte. “We have come up with a very comprehensive regulation,” said Verona Superintendent Steven Forte. “A lot of work has gone into it and we…
40.83186
-74.2459
Verona Civic Center: Town Manager
600 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ
/articles/verona-boe-passes-ymca-camping-trip-after-lengthy-discussion
743794
/locations/8097639
Shaira Leah Gomez
8:29 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Cyber bullying is a growing problem for everyone, it can create a lasting effect on a person's life, and others will lead to suicide. We should educate our children about this before its too late. My daughters are becoming more adept when it comes to social networking websites. So I reminded them to secure their personal information and never do anything that could be use against them. And as a … more ›