Verona — The Verona Board of Education on Sept. 30 welcomed Steve Robinson as the district’s interim business administrator and received an update on the search for a permanent business administrator and other staffing changes.

Superintendent Diane DiGiuseppe introduced Robinson and summarized his prior experience, saying he served as business administrator in Middletown and earlier roles in Livingston and that “he served as the BA in Middletown for 6 years ... and he oversaw the development and implementation of approximately a 130,000,000 budget.” DiGiuseppe said Robinson has statewide experience in school insurance groups and professional associations and added, “We are fortunate to have someone of Steve’s caliber supporting district during this transition period.”

Search status and terms: DiGiuseppe said the district is in a multi‑round search for a permanent business administrator; candidates who advanced to round two were expected to interview the following week. She noted New Jersey law allows an interim administrator appointment for up to two years, and the district is evaluating whether to open the permanent position now or later.

Other staffing updates: The administration reported the only open teaching hire currently being processed is a permanent hire for the sixth‑grade science position; a content‑certified long‑term substitute is serving in the classroom until the permanent hire is made. The district also recognized two students named National Merit Commended Scholars: Titus Holiday and Suri Gupta.

Why it matters: The business administrator handles district budgeting, capital projects and contract oversight; the interim appointment and active search ensure continuity in operations during the transition. District officials said capital project experience was a specific need, noting Robinson’s prior work on bond referendums and facilities projects.

Next steps: The administration will continue the search process and return to the board with recommendations as interviews conclude. No personnel action specific to the interim BA was included on the consent agenda at the meeting beyond the public introduction.