Wayne schools honor dozens of music students and mark numerous staff retirements

The Wayne Township Board of Education on May 16 recognized dozens of music students for regional and statewide honors and publicly acknowledged multiple staff retirements across the district.

Music directors and teachers highlighted student achievements including selections to North Jersey honor ensembles, a New York Youth Symphony Orchestra audition, invitations to perform at Carnegie Hall and high ratings at regional festivals. Matt Paterno and other music staff said ensemble and soloists represented Wayne at state and national events; one soloist was named among the three best soloists at the West Milford Jazz Festival.

The board also read retirement tributes for long-serving employees. The transcript includes extended remarks honoring careers and contributions of staff including Kathy Arts (speech and language pathologist), Janet Johnson (LPN), Christina Lechner (teacher), Gavin Bannett (physical education teacher, driver'education teacher and wrestling coach), Bruce McNut (teacher and coach), Diane Epino (special education aide), Julia Kelly (school nurse) and Dave (district athletic director) among others. Speakers summarized decades of service, student impacts and community ties.

No formal votes were recorded in the transcript text for the recognitions; they were ceremonial acknowledgements and not agenda items requiring board action. The district thanked parents and staff and closed the recognitions before moving into committee reports.