Superintendent Diane DiGiuseppe proudly announced that Forest Avenue School received a prestigious recognition from US News, placing it in the 86th percentile among New Jersey’s elementary schools. This marked the first time any elementary school in the Verona district received such an accolade. The school’s placement was based on assessments of student proficiency in reading and math, as well as considerations of socioeconomic demographics. DiGiuseppe emphasized that this achievement reflects both student performance and the school’s capacity to effectively educate all students. The board discussed ways to promote this recognition.

The meeting also detailed the success of Verona High School’s sports teams. The boys’ soccer team had recently triumphed over Newark with a decisive 7-1 victory during senior night and was set to face Livingston High School in the Essex County tournament finals. Meanwhile, the girls’ soccer team, despite a recent loss to Livingston in the semi-finals, maintained a strong record, being ranked as the third seed in the Essex County Tournament (ECT) and gearing up for a playoff title in the NJSIAA bracket. Furthermore, the girls were scheduled to compete against Milbour on November 1st, coinciding with senior day for girls’ field hockey, where seniors would be honored during a match against New York Academy.

In cross country, senior Sienna Griffin was recognized for her outstanding performance at the Essex County Tournament Championships, finishing sixth out of 108 runners and earning a spot on the first team all-county. Her time was the fifth fastest in Verona High School history.

The Verona High School marching band was also preparing for the state championships at the College of New Jersey, following a recent competition at East Brunswick High School. Additionally, the VHS concert band was set to host a Halloween-themed concert, while the school was enhancing its Halloween festivities with a costume parade, contest, and a trunk-or-treat event.

In staffing and recruitment, Superintendent DiGiuseppe provided updates on ongoing efforts to fill key positions, including business administrators and an assistant principal for athletics and student activities. She highlighted the district’s progress in recruiting paraprofessionals, acknowledging the board’s support in funding salary adjustments to attract and retain quality staff, which she deemed essential due to the challenging nature of their roles.

Committee reports included updates from the education committee, noting that academic enrichment services for elementary students had commenced, and 121 high school students were set to receive AP Scholar awards. The district was reviewing its curriculum for the 2026-2027 school year and engaged in field testing new adaptive state assessments scheduled for June. Additionally, professional development for non-tenured teachers was underway, focusing on a new K-5 literacy program and setting learning targets aligned with district goals.

The special education committee reported on the success of the recent CPAC meeting and ongoing initiatives like the Bog Center action plan and the DREAMS grant, aimed at supporting counselors and potentially expanding teacher training. The importance of professional development for paraprofessionals was emphasized, believed to enhance support for teachers, students, and families.