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The Morris School District Board of Education convened for its monthly meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Morristown High School Learning Commons. Alongside the evening's full agenda, the session featured two notable highlights: an update on college and career outcomes and a special sports recognition ceremony celebrating our standout student-athletes.

Morristown High School’s College & Career Outcomes

Sophia Kenny, Director of Guidance, provided an in-depth overview of our students' post-secondary pathways, application trends, and historic achievements. 

Collegiate Partnerships

Morristown High School is expanding dual enrollment and career pathways to help students transition smoothly to college. A brand new STEM partnership with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) launched in January, joining existing programs with Rutgers and Kean University. Students also now have the opportunity for an early college experience through a unique Pre-Collegiate Summer Program at St. Elizabeth’s University. Additionally, strategic tracks with the County College of Morris (CCM) continue to connect students directly to high-demand industries.

AP Participation and Exams Surge

Advanced Placement data has shown strong year-over-year growth as more students take on rigorous academic challenges. Total Advanced Placement student participation surged  from 450 students in 2024 to 538 in 2025. This increased engagement also drove a rise in exam volume, with the total number of exams taken climbing from 888 to 1,031 over the same period. The district anticipates this positive trend will continue into the future. In fact, thanks to the Board of Education fully funding all Advanced Placement exams for the 2025–2026 school year, student participation reached a staggering 97%.

Elite Acceptances & Historic Milestones

Our graduates are heading to some of the most prestigious institutions in the nation. For the first time in over a decade, an MHS student is heading to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Graduates have also secured acceptances to elite Public Ivies like UC Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, UVA, Penn State, and Rutgers, alongside highly selective universities such as Duke, Notre Dame, Emory, Boston College, and Vanderbilt.

Next-Level Student-Athletes

Fourteen student-athletes are advancing to collegiate sports across all three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) divisions: seven in Division 1, one in Division 2, and six in Division 3. The roster of sports includes football, soccer, track, cross country, baseball, and lacrosse. 

Student Voices & Senior Reflections

The presentation also included inspiring reflections from Morristown High School seniors who shared their personal journeys and future plans:

• Alison Salinas Ramirez - Rutgers University
• Ava Smith - Wesleyan University
• Gavin Raiz - University of Richmond
• Henry Yip - Vanderbilt University
• James Watson - Syracuse University
• Kayla Ewing - Columbia University
• Kyle Bryce - University of Pittsburgh
• Sarah Watson - University of Wisconsin

Celebrating Athletic Excellence

Mr. Chester (Smitty) Norton, Director of Athletics, alongside MHS coaches, took to the stage to honor over 150 standout student-athletes. Representing a wide variety of sports teams and athletic disciplines, these dedicated students were recognized for their leadership, teamwork, and outstanding contributions to the athletic program this year. 

More Information: 

View the Board of Education meeting recordings on MSD On Air within a few days after the meeting. Visit the Board of Education section of the website to learn more information about the Board of Education.

How much will you pay if voters approve the Morris School District’s $158 million bond referendum in September?

An online calculator has the answer.

Read more about the referendum in the recent article published by Morristown Green. 

The Morris School District Board of Education convened for its monthly meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, held at the Morristown High School Learning Commons. While the agenda covered various district operations, the heart of the evening was dedicated to the celebration and recognition of this year’s staff retirements. 

Celebrating a Legacy of Service

The annual retirement ceremony, a cornerstone of the May board meeting, serves as a formal "thank you" to the teachers, administrators, and support staff who have dedicated years of service to the students of the Morris School District. 

Board President Dr. Vivian Rodriguez presented gifts of appreciation to each retiree, while district administrators shared brief remarks highlighting the specific achievements and lasting contributions each individual made to the Morris School District.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all departing staff. Among this year’s retirees are three individuals whose combined decades of service have left a profound impact on our community: 

Osvaldo “Ozzie” Pardilla - Director of IT Infrastructure 

As the backbone of our district’s technology growth for over 25 years, Ozzie has been instrumental in keeping our schools connected. We are deeply grateful for his expertise in navigating the district through the ever-evolving digital age.

Gregory DiGioacchino - Physical Education, Morristown High School 

Retiring after an extraordinary 50 years of service, Mr. DiGioacchino represents a rare milestone in education. A half-century of service is an exceptional and remarkable achievement. Mr. DiGioacchino has influenced generations of Morristown students and we wish him the best of luck in retirement. 

Chester “Smitty” Horton - Athletic Director, Morristown High School

A true pillar of our sports programs, Mr. Horton’s tenure was defined by dedication to the Morristown High School athletic program. He ensured our student-athletes succeeded both on and off the field, and we thank him for his tireless energy and leadership over the last 33 years.

The full list of retirees for the 2025-2026 school year can be found HERE.

More Information: 

View the Board of Education meeting recordings on MSD On Air within a few days after the meeting. Visit the Board of Education section of the website to learn more information about the BOE.