Verona Press The
Wisconsin's PRIVATE PRACTICE OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT
Thursday, June 14, 2018 • Vol. 54, No. 4 • Verona, WI • Hometown USA • ConnectVerona.com • $1.25
Time to celebrate
The Verona Area High School Class of 2018 became official Sunday afternoon during the school’s commencement ceremony at Epic. The students got with reminders of the community they built together from principal Pam Hammen and student at-large speaker Megan Liu, advice on pursuing what makes them happy from student Summa Cum Laude speaker Jerome Barnett and a recollection of their 13 years in the district together from superintendent Dean Gorrell. They all then received their diplomas and tossed their caps in the air. The ceremony also included a performance of “The Parting Glass,” a traditional Celtic farewell song, by seniors in the music department. Gorrell’s speech included mentions of technology like Instagram and iPads, as well as major world events, that have taken place since the group started its education, which was the same year he began as superintendent in the district.
NEW LOCATION! LOCATION! NEW
City of Verona
One alder added, another leaving JIM FEROLIE Verona Press editor
Just as the City of Verona filled out its Common Council with a new alder in District 3, it’s soon losing another. Monday alders chose Charlotte Jerney, a healthcare and leadership consultant and former Army nurse, to fill the spot vacated by Mayor Luke Diaz when he was voted into that office in April. Meanwhile, council president Elizabeth Doyle (Dist. 1), announced she’ll be moving to Madison at the end of June after five years as an alder. That transition means half the council has turned over since April and leaves only two alders remaining from the council prior to April 2017. Doyle’s fellow District 1 alder Chad Kemp was the only candidate for the seat vacated at the end of November by Mac McGilvray. Jerney was among six people vying for the
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District 3 seat, and each of them introduced themselves to the council May 29, with limited council interaction. None of the candidates attended Monday’s vote, e i t h e r, s o there was no substantive discussion about them. But Diaz had asked a l d e r s t o Doyle keep the process completely transparent, unlike some previo u s vo t e s , in which private, one-on-one Jerney discussions superseded a planned committee process, much to the chagrin of the previous mayor. The two alders who put Jerney at the top of their lists, Doyle and Heather
Turn to Alder/Page 5
Verona Area School Distrct Page 9
Photo by Scott Girard
Brianne Wunder celebrates a little early as she crosses the stage to receiver her diploma.
Verona Public Library
Book bike brings library to community Trailer to make appearances at events throughout summer KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
W h e n Ve r o n a P u b l i c L i b r a r y employees hop on their new electric bike pulling an orange trailer full of paperback books out into the community, they’re “taking a piece of the library” with them. The library is debuting a new book bike this summer, with the goal of
bringing books into the community by physically coming to residents. The book bike consists of a 3-foot long trailer that has fold-out doors that can hold up to 100 paperback books – not hardcover, community engagement librarian Marissa Gehrke said, because it would be too heavy to be able to pedal up a hill. People are able to check out the books as if they were at the library. “They’re kind of a trend in libraries right now,” she said. The book bike was funded through a grant from Epic and the Friends of
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the Verona Public Library. The original company the library planned on purchasing the trailer from went out of business, Gehrke said, so they selected a different manufacturer – Pedal Positive out of Engelwood, Colo. – and had reference librarian Mark Cullen design the trailer for the library’s needs, since Pedal Positive didn’t have a model that exactly fit what the Verona library was looking for. On the recommendation from the
Turn to Bike/Page 20
Staff shakeup aims for ‘consistent’ student services 5 new administrative positions for 2018-19 are budget-neutral SCOTT GIRARD Unified Newspaper Group
The Verona Area School District is continuing its push toward more “consistency” among its 11 school sites. This time, it’s a reorganization of the student services department that director Emmett Durtschi hopes will allow for more immediate and efficient decisions, staff and family support and, most importantly, a districtwide approach to implement
Verona Area Performing Arts Series Atlantic City Boys: Saturday, November 10, 2018 | 7:30pm Four dynamic lead singers who are Singing ‘60s rockn-roll hits of The Drifters, The Beach Boys, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Turn to Services/Page 18
2018-2019 Season
The Young Irelanders: Saturday, February 23, 2019 | 7:30pm Each year the Irish Cultural Academy brings its finest exponents of Irish traditional music, song, and dance.
Watch for your brochure and order your subscriptions. Single tickets go on sale September 1.
the department’s “vision,” Durtschi told the Press this month. The department manages the work of more than 175 psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, therapists Durtschi and special education staff throughout the district. It also oversees discipline and behavior policies, including Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, the Nurtured Heart Approach and restorative justice.
The Canadian Brass: Friday, Yes Friday! April 5, 2019 | 7:30pm They have truly earned the distinction of the world’s most famous brass group. Their music ranges from Baroque to Dixieland, including patriotic music.
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More graduation photos