West Orange School Board Meeting: Jobs, Lunches, Pricing (VIDEO)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Preparations for the upcoming school year continued at the West Orange Board of Education’s latest meeting, with topics of discussion including new appointments, school lunches, a cooperative pricing agreement and HIB complaints.

Here are some takeaways from the board’s July 22 meeting (article continues below video).

NEW APPOINTMENTS – Victor Alcindor, a longtime ELA teacher at West Orange High School, has been appointed as the new supervisor of ELA for grades 6-12. He takes over for Elizabeth Veneziano, who will be replacing acting director of human resources Annette Towson.

NEW POSITION – Funded by a Title I grant, the Supervisor of Schoolwide Advancement Position for Schools with Title I Designation will assist West Orange Title I schools (Washington and Hazel), as the number of economically disadvantaged families have increased. According to district administrators, the job goal is to: “assist school and district leadership in advancing student learning by supporting continuous improvement, intervention, and curriculum implementation. Insure adherence to the Annual School Plan for Title I schools operating under a schoolwide model and compliance with federal and state directives, guidelines, and reporting requirements.”

HIB COMPLAINTS – Superintendent Hayden Moore said four HIB complaints between June and July had been dismissed without merit.

DONATIONS – The West Orange High School Auto Shop received three Snap-On Tool Cabinets from Penske Leasing in the amount of $15,000. The West Orange High School Class of 1984 donated $600 to the WOHS Student Activities Account.

COOPERATIVE PRICING – According to district administrators: “The board approved a cooperative pricing system agreement with the New Jersey School Boards Association (E8801-ACESCPS) to procure on an aggregated basis digital and electronic products and services, E-Rate Consulting and Processing Services, and other technology products and programs to enhance members’ readiness for Future ready schools, as well as energy aggregation services, supplies and materials, time and materials; and such other services and products as two or more participating local boards in the system agree can be purchased on a cooperative basis.”

FINANCIAL PROGRAM – Circle of Rainbow Sisters Seeking Spiritual Wellness and Connection (CORESSWC) president Martiza Brown and some local parents/students discussed the success of their financial program and requested the district’s assistance in identifying more students and providing information on the high school student ranking process.

SCHOOL LUNCHES – Lunch prices will be slightly increasing for the 2024-2025 school year. Administrators provided a price chart with the new amounts (see below).

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page