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West Orange board highlighted for universal pre-K; superintendent reports two staff deaths and praises life-saving actions
Summary
Superintendent Moore told the board of two recent staff deaths, recognized two employees who used Heimlich maneuvers to save students, and noted the district’s universal pre-K rollout earned state recognition and rising pre-K aid in the state budget.
Superintendent Moore told the West Orange Board of Education on Oct. 28 that the district has lost two colleagues and recognized staff who intervened to save students. “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that the death of our colleague, Patricia Hack, who passed away recently, fondly known as Tisha,” Moore said, adding that retired teacher Brian Cohen had also died and asking for a moment of silence.
Moore then recognized two staff members whose training was used to aid choking students. He said a physical-education teacher, Franco Casolino, performed the Heimlich at Redwood Elementary and that David Grant performed the Heimlich to help a choking student at West Orange High School during lunch. “These are two separate incidents during the same week,” Moore said, praising both employees’ quick actions and the district’s commitment to student safety.
Moore also presented the district’s anti-bullying report since the last board meeting. He said there was one investigation, that the summary determined the incident met the statutory criteria, and that he concurred with the anti-bullying specialist’s findings.
In a separate report, board members said the district’s universal pre-K implementation was singled out at the New Jersey School Boards Association workshop. According to the superintendent and board comments, the district’s pre-K application previously received a $2,000,000 award for program startup, and current-year pre-K aid in the state budget was described in the meeting as approximately $7,000,000. Board members said the district will continue to expand pre-K with the goal of universal access.
Board members presented certificates of appreciation to the two staff members honored; attendees thanked them for their service. The superintendent’s report closed with acknowledgements of the district’s staff and a reminder that the district continues work on student safety, pre-K rollout and supports following the bullying investigation.
The board moved on after the report to routine agenda items and votes.
