West Orange Schools Get Donation From NBA Star; Board Holds Last Meeting Before New Academic Year

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Board of Education crossed several items off their to-do list at their final meeting before the new school year begins, including staffing and curriculum. Meanwhile, the board also approved a gift of new basketball uniforms from an NBA star who formerly attended a local middle school.

The school board gave a thumbs-up to a donation from basketball star Kyrie Irving – a former student at Roosevelt Middle School – for new middle school girls and boys basketball uniforms through ANTA, USA. The district will not incur any costs, according to a resolution approving the donation.

Other highlights from the meeting included:

• Samantha Aricaya was appointed as the new supervisor of WO-ECLC (preschool)
• The board approved an agreement between Hudson County Community College and West Orange High School to provide instructions for select culinary arts courses for high school students enrolled in HCCC to earn dual credit for the 2025-2026 school year
• The West Orange Parents for Education group requested a meeting with the board to discuss next year's budget

Superintendent Hayden Moore said he and other administrators are looking forward to the start of a new school year in less than two weeks.

Moore encouraged parents and students to take advantage of several opportunities to get a jumpstart on the new academic year. He pointed to the upcoming West Orange High School Freshman Orientation on Aug. 21, and the Middle School Bagels and Locks events for middle school students on Aug. 26 and 27 – two events that will provide tours of the schools, information sessions and locker assignments.

Watch a video of the meeting here, or view footage below.

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15.

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