A Verona Area School District principal and former Madison Metropolitan School District educator died Tuesday morning after she was hit by a car while walking in Fitchburg.
Beth Steffen, 56, was the interim principal at Badger Ridge Middle School in Verona for the 2022-23 school year. She was hired to that role after previously working as a language, literacy and equity specialist at the school, according to the Verona Press.
“The Verona Area School District experienced a deep loss today and our hearts are beyond broken,” VASD public information officer Marcie Pfeifer-Soderbloom wrote in an emailed statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to Beth’s family and all Badger Ridge Middle School students, staff, and families.
“Beth was a beloved member of the Verona Area School District community. Staff from around the district will be available to support staff and students with grief counseling, circles of support, and other supports as needed.”
Tuesday was the second day of school after winter break for students and staff in Verona.
Prior to her role in Verona, Steffen was the principal of Edgewood High School beginning in 2018. For the 17 years preceding that switch, she worked in MMSD in a variety of roles.