The meeting’s discussions shed light on the complexities of educational policy and its impact on the school district. The legislative topic that generated debate was the proposed bill affecting teacher evaluations. Superintendent DiGiuseppe expressed her stance that teacher evaluations should be a matter of local jurisdiction rather than being mandated by legislation. She stressed the importance of a meaningful evaluation process and warned against the rushed changes in a lame duck legislative session. The bill proposes evaluating teachers as either effective or highly effective only once every three years, which has raised questions about the future of the evaluation process and the necessity for clear definitions and guidance.

Superintendent DiGiuseppe also addressed several other legislative matters during her report. She discussed the mandate for menstrual products to be provided in public school bathrooms, confirming that preparations were in place for its implementation in the 2024-2025 school year. Another bill that caught the board’s attention was one that potentially limits school districts’ ability to offer virtual education, which DiGiuseppe noted could have implications for managing teacher shortages.

The meeting began with a notable achievement in the school’s sports programs, with Athletic Director Laura Pomey presenting a detailed summary of the fall sports season. The girls’ volleyball team received particular attention for their performance, being ranked number 16 in the state and securing the Group 1 championship. Coach Ryan Brown was celebrated as the Essex County Coach of the Year. Pomey also recognized the achievements of other fall sports teams, including girls’ soccer, football, boys’ soccer, cheerleading, field hockey, girls’ cross country, boys’ cross country, and girls’ tennis, detailing their performances and individual recognitions.

The official swearing-in of Michael Boone as a new board member marked an addition to the Verona Board of Education. Following Boone’s oath of office, the board moved forward with the nominations and elections for board president and vice president, resulting in Priscoe and Verzella assuming their respective roles. These positions were determined through a roll call vote, which carried the motion for both.

The board’s agenda also covered a variety of other topics, including the announcement of annual school election results, the confirmation of board member attendance, and the approval of appointments for various committees. Upcoming agenda items, such as the presentation by the athletic director and the superintendent’s report, were discussed as well.

Public safety concerns at the middle school were brought to the board’s attention by community members during the meeting. An individual highlighted dissatisfaction with the communication and response to certain incidents, while another resident called for improved safety measures and proactive communication strategies.

The meeting concluded with the board expressing support for the winter pep rally and the DECA team’s upcoming competition. They also discussed the forthcoming MAP testing for 9th and 10th graders and the celebration of Inclusive Schools Week. The board approved various resolutions related to routine matters, personnel, education, athletics, curricular, finance, and governance and policy. The next meeting was scheduled for January 23rd, 2024, after a motion to adjourn.