It’s Monday in Monticello – time for Superintendent Matt Evans’ weekly update to the Monticello community.
In this episode, some additional information regarding the two recent incidents of non-credible threats, information about the administrative transition at Monticello High School, the upcoming Board of Education meeting this week, Monticello High School’s upcoming drama production, a congratulations to Assistant Superintendent for Business Lisa Failla, and a Happy Diwali to all who are celebrating.
Video transcript
Hi, I’m Matt Evans, superintendent of the Monticello Central School District, and thank you for joining me for the November 2, 2026 edition of “It’s Monday in Monticello.”
Over the past several weeks, we’ve had at least two incidents where students made threats of gun violence directly towards other students. We take all threats of violence seriously and investigate them thoroughly.
In both instances, we partnered with law enforcement and determined that the threats were not credible, that the students who made them were temporarily agitated, and that the students involved made poor choices in expressing their frustrations.
We appreciate those who promptly reported these incidents and encourage everyone to report when they hear or witness a threat, however trivial, to a school official or law enforcement.
Now, we recognize that students are children and still learning how to manage their emotions. And we ask parents, caregivers, and school staff to speak to their children about emotions and that words matter. Frustration and anger are natural human emotions, but we must be mindful of how we express them.
Monticello High School is currently going through a transition in school leadership. As many of you know, Jennifer Gorr resigned from the principal’s position to become superintendent of schools in the Rockland Central School District.
We welcome back Michelle Knowlton, who will return as interim high school principal on Monday, November 9. We also welcome Jennifer Daddino as a new assistant principal in Monticello High School, joining Kimberly Ronaldson. Dr. Daddino will begin very soon, but no later than November 16.
We are also presently conducting interviews of candidates for the principal’s position, and we anticipate on having a new high school principal in January 2027.
The Monticello Board of Education will be meeting this Thursday, November 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School Library.
The Monticello High School Drama Club will be presenting two one-act plays, “Soundscapes” and “Mascots,” this Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 7, at 1 p.m. Both performances will be at the Arnold Packer Hughes Auditorium in Monticello High School. Break a leg to all of our performers.
A reminder that all Monticello Central School District schools will be closed to students only this Friday, November 6, for a superintendent’s conference day.
Good luck to all of our Monticello High School students who will be taking their SAT exams this Saturday.
Congratulations to Monticello’s assistant superintendent for business, Lisa Failla, who was recently recognized by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council for Excellence in School Administration. Ms. Failla has been in this role since 2015, and she has served the district during this time with distinction. Thank you, Ms. Failla, and congratulations.
That’s it for this week. I wish a happy Diwali to all who are celebrating and remind everyone, if they haven’t already, to vote tomorrow.
Stay well, everyone. With Monti Pride, I’m Matt Evans.