Cherry Hill Public Schools

The key discussion topics for this committee meeting include a presentation regarding the Secondary Summer Reading program and a data presentation from the Office of Curriculum & Instruction. The meeting agenda also reserves time for Old Business, New Business, and Public Comment, pending time availability. The context provided outlines the Strategic Priorities for Cherry Hill Public Schools for 2025-2030, covering academic achievement, fiscal stewardship, student support, belonging/safety, and staff recruitment/retention.

The meeting commenced with the calling to order and a roll call. Key discussion items included the presentation of awards for the Chaka Poster Essay and Video Contest across multiple grade levels, and updates from student representatives from High School East and High School West. High School East updates covered academics (college night, electives fair), activities (ice skating, Ethics Bowl, Black History Month celebration, Model UN awards), and athletics (Girls and Boys Swimming Championships, Girls Basketball milestones, Hockey championship appearance, Boys Basketball playoff scheduling). High School West updates detailed extracurriculars (National Honor Society induction, AACC club museum, cultural club fundraisers, blood drive, senior trip meeting), academic requirements (NJ GPA testing for juniors), and athletic achievements (Girls Basketball playoffs, Wrestling season end, Girls Swimming playoffs, Esports state semi-finals, Track sectionals setting a new 4x4 school record). Arts updates mentioned upcoming performances of the spring musical 'Foot Loose' and the annual Pops Concert, alongside recognition for the West Jazz Band and the a capella group Wavelength. The session concluded with a project update focusing on capital improvements across various district facilities, including work commencing at Beck, East, and West auditoriums, security vestibules at Barton, Kingston, Johnson, and Sharp, locker room renovations at West, site work at Kilmer, Knight, Johnson, and Man, and playground upgrades. Detailed progress reports were given for ongoing renovations at Rosa (security vestibules complete, cafeteria masonry paused due to weather, overall completion targeted for September 2026) and Karusi (Phase 2 interior renovations advancing, including flooring and HVAC completion in B-wing). Upcoming summer work phases for both Rosa and Karusi were outlined.

The meeting commenced with a motion to convene to an Executive Session, during which the February 24, 2026 Board HIB summary report was presented. Upon returning to the public meeting, the Board recognized participants in a Poster/Essay/Video Contest and heard student representative reports. Key discussions involved an update on an ongoing project and a note from a board member regarding their employment status change affecting future abstentions related to Bayada. Consent agendas were approved for Appointments (Substance Awareness Coordinator, Section 504 Officer, Homeless Liaison, Title IX Officer) and Curriculum & Instruction items, including conference attendance and policy first readings. The Business & Facilities section addressed financial reports, various resolutions, and approvals for license agreements with The Liacouras Center for high school graduations. Human Resource matters included various actions on employment terminations, appointments, leaves of absence, assignment/salary changes, and compensation. Policy & Legislation included approvals for investigation and hearing decisions related to Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying, and first/second readings of policies. The meeting concluded following New Business comments, Board Member Comments, Superintendent's Comments, and a motion to adjourn.

This enrollment balancing plan for Cherry Hill Public Schools addresses elementary school overcrowding by exploring various solutions. It considers transportation efficiencies, program analysis, boundary adjustments, and building expansion. The administration recommends implementing permanent building additions at Clara Barton Elementary and Rosa Middle School, with an anticipated opening in September 2028, and continuous monitoring of enrollment trends at Horace Mann Elementary School. This plan, developed with community and staff feedback, does not recommend boundary adjustments or program shifts due to concerns about potential disruption and limited impact.

The meeting commenced with the formal reorganization, including the administration of the oath of office for newly elected and incumbent board members following the election results. Key procedural actions included the election of the President, where Miss Gina Winters was appointed, and the subsequent election of the Vice President, resulting in the appointment of Mr. Adam Greenbomb. Furthermore, the board approved several appointments for external committees, including district representatives to the Camden County School Boards Association Executive Committee, the New Jersey School Boards Association, and the Camden County Educational Services Commission, as well as designating the Public Agency Compliance Officer. Procedural items approved included the Code of Ethics, designation of official newspapers (Courier Post and Philadelphia Inquirer), and approval of the resolution for board meeting advertisements. Public comment sessions addressed concerns regarding Policy 1250 on civility, allegations of hate speech by a board member leading to an ethics complaint, and discussion concerning OCR complaints related to civil rights for students with disabilities referencing the Supreme Court case AJT v. AIO Area School District.