Posted notice on the school bulletin board at the administration building, transmitted to the Courier Post. Philadelphia Inquirer and the Clerk of Cherry Hill Township. Please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Ms. Augustine, can you please call the roll? Mrs. Sherpain?
Here. Dr. Dreisen? Here. Dr. Braddock is absent. Mrs. Gallagher? Here. Mr. Greenbone? Here. Mr. Mayor? Here. Ms. Palmer? Here. And this stern? Here. This is Winners. Here, thank you very much. We're gonna start tonight with board recognition. I'm so excited and pleased to honor. The middle school spring sports from Carusi.
Awesome, absolutely. It's so wonderful to see these outstanding young people. Here today lets us know that our baseball teams are going to be in good shape for a very long time. As these young people move forward. I'm gonna ask, uh, Mr. Burrell to come to the microphone. I'm also gonna ask Ms. Barotti and Ms. Smith to come up and join me as well.
The Board of Education, to our coaching staff, to our teachers, our principals. Entire school district, and we're putting that many kids going on to play college sports, so…. All right, finally, so the main event, the reason why we're here. The South Jersey Middle School League Champion, uh, Karusi. Mustangs, led by, uh, Coach Rich D'Alessandro. Coach, if you want to come up here? So, the last time they won the conference… oh, here you are… the last time they won the conference, uh, they won a sectional title.
Uh, that group of kids from 2016, so I got some big shoes to fill. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you, everyone, for having us here tonight. I'm gonna turn just a little bit, because I don't even want to know what the back of my head looks like. A couple thank yous, of course, to Mr. Smith for coming out today representing our administration, and for all of you for inviting us today. Um, middle school sports, um, is something you do for the love of the game. The kids, the coaches, you know, you're not on NewJersey.com.
You're not in a courier post, you're not an e-inquirer, you know, you're there because, you know, you love the game. And, um…. I love baseball, and I was pretty fortunate. To get a team that also loved baseball. Not only were they great players, they were great kids that came from. Great families, and I've been in Cherry Hill as a teacher for 28 years and coaching baseball for 27. Um, and this is the third time I've been lucky enough to win a championship, and…. There was one in the… in 2008, one in 2016, and now one in 2025, so that's one in each of the three decades, which maybe makes me think I'm more old than a great coach, but I'll take it whatever way I can get it, and ironically, one of the big hits we had in the championship game was by.
The son of, uh…. A player who I had coached on my undefeated team, a 7th graders back in 2000, so that really brings it all together and, again, shows me how old I am. Uh, I'm gonna bring up, uh, Nick Sullivan, who was my assistant coach this year, who helped me be by podium, and uh…. I want to thank him very much for all his work. He runs up from the early elementary school to be with us every day, and…. Uh, he was indispensable to us, um, winning. Um, the team went 12-1. Um, the league that we're in, the South Jersey Middle School Baseball League.
Is a very competitive league. It's the best of Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington County teams. Those kids go on to places like East and West, Shawnee, Lenape, and Cherokee, Pensauk, and Morristown, Eastern Highland, Triton, and Timber Creek. So it's a future of. Kids that they will continue to play, and hopefully continue to be very, very successful against. Um, in our 13 games and 10 of them, we allowed 0, 1, or 2 runs, so we had great pitching and great defense. Offensively, we scored 84 runs, while allowing only 28, and that was the key to our success.
We had 3 pitchers who had 3-win, 0-loss records, and 3 hitters that batted over 400. But overall, it was a team effort throughout the season. And that's the kind of an effort you need to win a championship. It took all 16 guys we had on the team to make that happen. So I'd like to call up these outstanding young men and give them their certificates. First, we have a couple. Players and managers who couldn't be here today. We had two outstanding scorekeepers, Dylan Rogas and JP Mueller, who.
Uh, we're indispensable, who couldn't make it tonight because they're on vacation, but we have their certificates. Uh, we had Joe Hale. Who could not make it, he's on vacation. We have two of our players who are playing in Alabama. Uh, Vince Olivo and Gavin Heil, who couldn't make it. And we had one more Jordan Servo, who is in Houston, hopefully cheering on a Phillies victory tonight on his graduation trip with his dad. But we are excited to have the following players here with us tonight. Um, Dimitri Germanovich?
Thanks, buddy. Uh, Liam Halbert? Liam Lortis? Mark Lawrence? Cole Malone?
Alec Martini? John Mastrangelo? Vincent Polido? Justin Rogolczyk?
Tim Zorn? Carson Fisher? And Roman Finnelli. And a special thanks to all the parents for coming out tonight, and for all the support throughout the season. Um, it's because of you that we were able to achieve what we did this year. So, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, and thank you very much. It's a season we'll never forget.
Parents, for baseball parents, we're gonna take a picture outside of all the boys, so if you want to come. You can stay for the rest of the meeting. Before you leave, congratulations to all the spring athletes, especially to the Karusi baseball team on their amazing achievements. Families, thank you so much for coming tonight. We appreciate your support.
But he was awesome.
Mr. Redfern, we cleared the room. So next, on for…. Board recognition tonight, we have Mr. Steve Redfern. And I see his family walking in to support him. Take it away, Ms. Berotti. All right, tonight we are honoring Steve Redfern, recently retired as president of the Cherry Hill Education Association, which represents more than 1,200 teachers, secretaries, technology staff.
Buildings and ground staff and custodial staff members. Steve has been with Cherry Hill Public Schools since 2003. Over his time here at the district, he also worked as a 5th grade teacher at Kilmer, and as a health and physical education teacher at Kingston Cooper, Hart, and Johnson Elementary Schools. We wanted to recognize him and thank him for his years of service to Cherry Hill Public Schools. Am I supposed to speak, or no? Okay. Yeah, give it a go.
I'll make sure I don't extend the board meeting to midnight, so…. Um, just a thank you. Um…. I'm probably gonna miss people to thank, and etc. Um, but…. Full circle, Dr. Morton, 2000…. You know what? Eight, yep. Remember the baby picture you put up at the first faculty meeting, right? Yeah, grown up. Um, so seriously, I just want to thank everybody, anybody I had contact with. Through, you know, my… over my 20 years. Um, when I came in, it was… it was tumultuous. It was coming off a….
A contract that we didn't have for a year and a half, the community was split. Parents were split, and I hope that, you know, in my 9 years, I was able to build that community back up. Obviously, the relationship with the Board of Ed has completely turned. The opposite way, so I thank the board members. Um, and I also believe it's changed with, you know, parents. So in PTA, we were actively involved. You know, with his own PTA for my 9 years. Um, and I hope that continues. I have the utmost faith. And my predecessor coming in. Um, she's not here because she was at an LMC conference with me, representing Cherry Hill still.
Um, so I'm excited for her, and I'm excited for the board and your work that you'll do with her moving forward. But thank you again. Thank you to the staff, some people I've known for. More than 20 years, some I haven't, but it's been a pleasure to work here. Um, and you've done great as a district by my kids, I have to say that. Um, as I conclude, um. Tyler's gotten so much help, Haley, too. Got 4 more years left here with her, but…. You know, the district is awesome, and I know sometimes you sit here.
And you hear the negative, but I have nothing but good things to say about the education that. Both of my kids got, and I believe my wife would echo the same thing. So, thank you again. Thank you, Mr. Redburn. And Mrs. Redfern, thank you so much. Dynamic duo, they both are. Excellent teachers in the district. And always supportive.
Okay, now we have…. Two presentations this evening. The first one is a communications and community relations update, which will be given to us by Ms. Bharotti and Ms. Roscoff. Testing, okay. Hello, everybody. Thank you for joining us.
Okay. Ms. Roscoff and I are gonna split the presentation a little bit. So… I have to interrupt, because I didn't come with any notes, and she's got, like, 4 pages of notes here, so that might be a little bit different. I have 3 pages. Okay. Okay, so…. For our… to try and continue to meet the, uh, communications audit goals, as well as the district goals, uh, one of the things that we've worked to concentrate on has been purpose and passion, keeping those goals in mind as we work to incorporate the audit recommendations and action items.
Uh, through a number of…. Projects with the goal to make information easier to consume. Uh, that will always be an ongoing effort. There's no end goal, but instead just to constantly improve and make it easier for everyone to understand. Different information that's coming from the district. So some of the examples of what's been done recently that you can see up there, we've had our preschool video tours. Student highlight videos to showcase passion and purposes beyond the core areas of study. Discussions with Dr. Morton, we've had 3 episodes of those so far, breaking down the budget, student internship opportunities, the junior high, middle school model.
Uh, as well as updates to the district website, including the Community Bulletin board, and, uh, constant social media blurbs and highlights. And I mention this because oftentimes some of the things that are posted on social media are condensed versions of many of the things that you may find on the website, the homepage. And the newsletter. Another goal of the district and the communications audit has been to incorporate communications with big projects and efforts going on around the district. The junior high model, the reason I'm mentioning this a couple times is just because of how recent it is.
Uh, we work together to develop and post a fact sheet for the website, uh, in the spring, and then we sent out communications for all three schools regarding these information sessions that we held. Collected to collab… to collect… collaborated to collect the frequently asked questions, in addition to, uh, discussions with Dr. Moore in an episode. Another example is the ongoing referendum construction work. We started work to redo these pages on the website to add newer photos and updates, like the ones we've heard from Mrs. Sugars. Over the summer, this will continue to be updated to provide newer photos as the work progresses.
Another example that was another recent one, was the 5K and Fair Because We Care that you all had so much fun at. Uh, we were able to help the students with their flyer, create a promotional video to put on social media, um, the day of, worked with the students to post on social media, just to bring some more attention to that event. And I also discussed… I'm sorry, I also mentioned the discussions with Dr. Morton before, but having this type of video format for us to address. Different efforts going on around the district helps provide some transparency, answer questions, and give some of those topics that come with a lot of information a space to act as a resource for community members.
Uh, we also work to try to keep. The community updated about other events that may not. The parents may not see until the newsletters. This example I used was from a couple weeks ago, the successful lemonade fundraiser at Kilmore, by adding posts on social media and in the newsletters. So, for planning ahead. Again, to reach both district goals and the recommendations, and. Action items from the communications audit. This includes continuing to develop plans to address crisis communications and proactive issues management plans.
Working to develop a strategic communication plan that has measurable objectives. My predecessor, she did have one created right before she left, but now that I've been in my role for a little over 6 months and I've made it my own, I just… I'm using some of her ideas and implementing some of my own, uh, to create something for the years ahead. The superintendent Spotlight videos had a very successful first year, and for anyone who's watched these videos, you always know they're really… they're great to watch. They're so positive, and uh… seeing the staff, how excited they are when they found out that they are.
Nominated, um, it's cool, just so we get to keep celebrating our awesome staff, so now that these videos have been. Have happened for a full school year. We're going to revamp them a little bit for the fall, so stay tuned for a little bit different look. Um, again, continuing updates, uh, media around the construction referendum updates, including the building enhancements, APRs, wrapping up the new playgrounds and all. Another goal is staff training on communications. We're creating some professional development opportunities for. Admin and district leaders to continue to highlight communication efforts going on around the district.
Um, also continue to develop new videos for different initiatives and projects going on. And, uh, lastly, another thing, uh. To come soon is going to be a branding guide that encompasses the We Red and Purple branding, so each of the schools have their own identities, but this will help us incorporate. District-wide branding that everyone will have access to. Another goal is increasing, always, uh, understanding and engagement, and we're constantly asking ourselves, how can we make information easier to consume, um, with every post on the website?
On social media, in the bulletin board, our emails, we're always asking, you know, what other explanation can we offer to help. Uh, people really understand what we are posting out there. So, some other examples, uh, for how we've done this has been in-person meetings where stakeholders get the. Opportunity to share their thoughts, feedback, and questions for different things. Um, with the new website, we're. Always adding new information and updates, as well as posts on social media to match them. And a couple weeks ago, we published a highlight survey. For people to share some of their positive events that they had from the past school year, and we will be, um, highlighting and showing off those in the coming weeks as well.
So, on the topic of engagement, this is where I enjoy this stuff, the, uh. Pulling some of the numbers to see the tool that is social media. It's a great tool, and we can reach a lot of people. And I broke down some of these numbers from YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. These are the three main social media sites that we find success with engagement. So, YouTube houses longer-form videos, like the Board of Ed meetings, as well as the discussions with Dr. Morton episodes. We've only had 3 of those videos so far, but you can see, um, we've gotten a lot of views, and I actually took these numbers about a week ago.
And since then, the Student Internship Program actually has another, like, 200 views as of last week, which is pretty cool. Let's see, um…. Then going down to Facebook, these are the numbers I pulled from. January 1st through, again, last week, and the reason I started at January 1st was because that's when, after I was in my position for a couple weeks, that's when I really tried to make it a goal to post. 3, 4, sometimes 5 times a week, just to see, um, the content and the, you know, the need and the want for it. So you can see some of the numbers here. Again, this is only from about that 6 months, but we've had more than 547,000 times that content was viewed or displayed. We've had more than.
12,000, um, likes, comments, emojis. Shares, things like that. Uh, 3,700 times people have clicked on links that we've also shared. Many times it goes back to the district website. Uh, page visits, people clicking on Cherry Hill Public Schools Facebook page, that's well over 36,000, and we've had… we're so close to 3,000 followers! I'm gonna be so excited when we get there. Um, then Instagram…. I did a little bit different between Facebook and Instagram, just to show the different types of analytics that we are going to be able to start collecting. Um, with Instagram, uh.
I did the past 90 days, and again, you can see just how many times the content gets posted, the interactions, and all. We do have more students who are on Instagram versus Facebook, but we do have a good amount of parents that are on both social media platforms. Uh, in reference to comparing this to what's been done in the past, it's a little bit, uh. Part only because those… the number of posts that was posted before. I kind of took over, was a little bit different in different types of content, just because, again, I've been making the position my own, and there's been different types of content that we've been posting out there, so I'm hoping this could be kind of a good starting point for us, and moving forward, every six months.
We can see, um, what those percentages are up, but I can say, um. From January 1st, 2024, so last year through last week, according to the Facebook analytics, we've had about 1,000 new followers. And as for the number of interactions, it's up 284%. So, this definitely feels like a great tool that we'll continue to utilize and use and push the information out there to continue to reach everybody, um, as well as we can for communication purposes.
So, um, one of the things that Ms. Barati and I have been talking about. Is that there's a lot of overlap between what she does and what I do. Um, but there's also a lot of what I do. It's really difficult to quantify. And possibly even… and qualify, because a lot of mine is just interaction with people in the community. Um, daily. Um, and some of the ones that we… I'm gonna highlight are.
Um, the district ambassadors. So, that was something that Dr. Morton and I have been talking about for a while, and we started the Ambassador Program. They grew out of the community advisory panel. And the first time that we really used the district ambassadors, that they were effective. Was during the, um, budget… when the budget information had to get out. Um, we gave the district ambassadors, um, talking points. We made sure that they had the correct information based on, um, the information that Ms. Sugars had put out.
Based on the discussion with Dr. Morton, based on conversations that Dr. Morton and I'd had. And, you know, they were… they were eager to, um, participate. And when… when we needed them, when we needed information out in the community on social media, or just at PTA meetings, or at any location, or any time when people were. Talking about the budget, we made sure that these members of our community were giving the right information. And I do think that.
That was really instrumental in making sure that we did not have. So many people coming to the board meetings, talking about. And, you know, being, um. Antagonistic or oppositional, um. To the budget when we were presenting it. Um…. I do think that we don't use them enough. Um, I said to Dr. Morton, uh, last week. You know, I and I take full responsibility for this. We should have given them information when we were having the meetings about the junior high models ahead of time.
Um, they should have had that information, and they should have been, um. Talking to the members of the community before those meetings. So I take full responsibility for that. I guess, in my mind, I did not really. Think that there would be that much discussion about it, and when it… when it happened. It seemed like it was sort of in hindsight. So, um, I think moving forward, that has to be something that people are aware of. Um, and whoever is going to be the liaison to the district ambassadors really needs to make sure that, um.
You know, they're… they're constantly aware of issues that could come up, and that those people have the information that they need. The other piece that I'm going to just sort of talk about on a… on a. You know, quick basis, is the relationship that we've developed with, um, ZonePTA, the Ed Foundation, and with CHEA. Steve and I. Work really closely together. It helped that we've known each other for years, and um…. In that partnership. The pieces that are up there, the vein and Vascular Institute, the Optical Academy, and Virtua, Virtua is going to happen in October. They're going to come, and they're going to give.
Free flu shots to all of… all of the staff members in the district. The vein and vascular happened last week. They… it was, um, Dr. Falcry, he came with his staff. And they did free evaluations of teachers. On the 17th at Cherry Hill East, and on, um, the 18th at Cherry Hill West, and teachers could sign up for that, and it was all free. And the Optical Academy happened last October, and that's when, um. Article Academy came in, they did free eye exams for teachers, and then they gave them glasses at reduced rates. I think glasses were less than $100 a pair for teachers if they ordered their glasses there. And the reason I think that's important is because, you know, teacher health and wellness is one of the goals.
And all of this is making, you know. Teachers' lives a little bit easier. If they don't have to make an appointment to go out and get their eyes examined, or their children's eye examined, and they can come right here. Um, after school, it just makes things, um. That much easier. Um, the Kean University, we are partnering with Kean. They are going to be offering a graduate-level course starting in the fall. Free to our staff. Um, it will be on the Holocaust education.
Um, teachers get graduate-level credit for it. They do not have to pay for anything. Um, and it is going to be offered in one of our buildings. I don't think that that's been determined yet, but I really think that's also really important. We've had a lot of teachers reach out. I know Diane's answered a lot of questions about. Um, teachers who are interested. Um, and who will be taking those courses. And again, I do think that that is a… that's positive, um, on our staff. And then I'm… I'm going to talk about constituents, because.
That… that is the part of the job that I really feel like. Is not quantifiable or even perhaps qualifiable. If that's a word. Um…. That work goes on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And what I mean when I say that is, when I'm walking my dog in my neighborhood. People will come out and they will start asking me questions about the district, or when I'm waiting in line at CVS, or, you know, when I'm in Wegmans, or when I'm eating dinner with my family in Ponzio's. That… that is something that is really, um, important. And I don't… I don't think that….
It's really… I don't…. I don't know how to talk about it, because it just happens. Right? Every Wednesday after a board meeting, if there were people who called in, or people who came here. You know, I sit with Dr. Morton, we go through all of those comments, questions, concerns. And, you know, generally, I spend Wednesday, at least Wednesday morning, but longer than that. You know, following up with those people, answering their questions, making sure they're directed to the right person to get the information that they. Are… they need or they're requesting. And it may not seem like a lot, but it's really important.
It's really an important. Aspect of what needs to continue to happen. And I… I think that we need to sort of start thinking about. Um, using the ambassadors for some of that. Also. Um, these are the same numbers that you saw, um. But Dr. Morton presented on the. Um, strategic plan. These are just the number of people that we have reached out to that have participated, that we have come in contact with.
Again, I can't… I can't quantify all of those other kinds of. You know, phone calls and meetings and. You know, I always say all the business in Cherry Hill happens at the swim clubs, the soccer fields, and the baseball fields. And, you know, it doesn't count all those conversations, right? It doesn't. And then… and then the other piece…. There are two things that I am particularly, um.
Proud of, and that's the high school internship program. And the partnership that we are in the process of finalizing, I spoke to someone, and Mrs. Ms. Gil Philly and Katie office just a few minutes ago. They had questions about the MOU with Rutgers. So the high school internship. Um, that is continuing to grow. Um, Sandra Castellani is doing a great job in taking that on. She will continue to do a great job on that. I have given her my word that I will… I will continue after August 1st, I will continue to work with her as she… as she needs me to. She really doesn't need me to, but….
Um, you know, I will continue to help her if she… if she needs it. Um, and the Rutgers Partnership. The Rutgers Partnership was something that Dr. Morton and I started probably about 2017 or 2018. Um, Rutgers and Camden came to us when we were at West. Um, they were… they were looking to…. Encourage more students to apply to Rutgers and Camden. And we talked about it, we've tried to figure it out, we took students down.
We visited, um…. Primarily at that time, they were looking at, um, visual and performing arts. So we took students down for, um…. Shows, they took tours of the campus. We had several students that, when we would take them down, Carolyn Msias and I would take them down. They would be interviewed on the spot. Taken right in, um, you know, I would call their guidance counselor. The guidance counselor would send their transcripts over immediately.
And right there that day, they would be…. You know, accepted and talked, you know, met with a financial aid person. And then COVID happened, and that kind of went away. So this year, um, Rutgers has a new chancellor. Um, they reached out to us again. Said, we really want to get this. Make this happen, and so it is happening, and they have. Five different areas. It's computer science, I'm doing these off the top of my head, I probably should have written notes. Um, computer… computer science.
Um, nursing. And health careers. Visual and performing arts. Business… Dr. Morton, which one am I? That's it? Okay. Um, I thought there were five, but I… there's… Ms. Staffin says there's only four. Um, and what will happen is our students will take classes. At Rutgers, for Rutgers credit. It will not be dual credit, it will be. Rutgers credit. And the best part about it is, it is going to cost the students $150 per course. And Rutgers will give them a scholarship.
For the rest of the cost of the course. Now, students are still responsible for their books, and students. Excuse me, are still responsible for any expenses, like parking. Um, Dr. Morton and I have been talking. I… I really feel strongly that we should not have programs. That would exclude students who could not pay. For those pieces. You know, for some of our students, the $150 per course will still be a lot for their families.
Paying for books could still be a lot. Paying for transportation could still be a lot. So one of the things that I have. Promised myself, more than, you know, but Dr. Morton, but myself. Um, that I will work on when I retire is that I will, when we have students who cannot afford that. I am going to start reaching out to some of our alumni to see if our alumni can sponsor these students, because I do not want a student not to be able to participate. In this, um. Simply because they can't afford to pay.
Um, it will be open to students at both high schools, and what I've… what I've realized is that, um. Rutgers… Rutgers and Camden needs us as much as we need them, and so they're really willing to work with us. And, you know, as I've been talking to parents about it, and. You know, parents are very excited about it. Because this is Rutgers credit, and if… if students are taking classes in Rutgers-Camden, but they know they're going to go to Rutgers-New Brunswick when they.
Graduate and start matriculating, those credits will be direct transfers, so they could start. At Rutgers and New Brunswick as a sophomore with Rutgers credit. Rutgers will also continue to accept the dual credit. Dual enrollment and AP credits like they have in the past. So it's really…. Possible that students could start. With 2 years' worth of credit. Um, and so that's, you know, that's really exciting. That's really exciting for me.
Um, and… and I think that it's something that, you know, there… Rutgers is looking at it as a model. Um, that they can use. Um, with other schools, but, you know, Dr. Morton and I have talked about it, it really is a model. That we could start using with other colleges and universities in the area. So I do think that this is, you know, I'm really proud of this. It's something that, you know, like I said, Dr. Morton and I have been working on this since probably 2017 or 2018.
Um, but I was really glad to see that it came to fruition. Again, I spoke to somebody, we went through the MOU, there were some questions, we went through them. I think I answered all of them. And as soon as we… and as soon as we give it back. To Rutgers. Um, they are looking to put it into place for September. Um, in September, they can take… they're… they're willing to take up to 24 of our students. Um, but even if we only have one or two students the first year, they will go… they will move forward with one or two students. So, um….
You know, that's… that's pretty exciting. The other thing, and I didn't make a slide, or… well, actually, I didn't ask Nina to make a slide. Um, is that, um. You know, part of… part of this…. Role that I'm in, um. You know, there was this idea of grants and… and…. Donations and things, and that's… that's really…. That's a piece of the building of relationships. Um, we… we just accepted from the state of New Jersey an empowering Educators that was in partnership with CHEA.
A grant for about $118,000. We accepted another grant from Digital Promise, a different grant from what we earned in the. Beginning of the year for about $10,000, and I worked with Jamie Cream, and Jamie wrote the brand. I'm not… I'm not…. Talking about that. Jamie wrote the grant, but I did work with her to help her find grant money. To buy a raccoon kiln. For Cherry Hill West. So now they have… they have that. Um, so, you know, I… as I'm… as I'm sitting here.
Um. You know, I spent today outside all day, and I thought, oh, this is what retirement is going to be like. It is bittersweet for me, because these are pieces that I really, um. Would like to see continued. I hope that they don't go away. And I hope that someone is, you know, able to just pick them up. And take them. And I'm not going anywhere. You know, Sandra, you know, Sandra is a little bit nervous. Sandra's gonna be great. Um, she just needs to do it and know that she can do it. But I… but I told her that, you know, I'm available.
And I'm available, you know, I'm not… I'm not leaving town, I'm not going anywhere. And so, when, you know, when you need something, I, you know, just, just ask. I may say no. But, um, but, you know, please just reach out and ask, because… because this is, you know, this is who I am. So, thank you. Thank you very much. Board members, do you have questions for Ms. Brody and Ms. Roscoff? Mr. Mayor? Um, no questions, just lots of, um, thank you.
A lot of this information are things that maybe some of us take for granted, and it's great to hear about it and some of the things that are going on. There's a few things I want to point out, though. So, Ms. Roscoff, with respect to. Rutgers. This is a wonderful program. And hearing that you may be looking to alumni. To, um, to help possibly with scholarship money. Just so you know, and now it's out there publicly, I don't think they're listening.
I'll be on the phone with at least 3 West alumni. Two of whom you graduated with. Tonight, to see if I can help. At least put them together with you, see if that can happen. I absolutely love…. That there is a lot of work going on now to point the community to. Source documents and source data. Um, with links in various. Various formats. That's… that's always been a problem and a challenge, frankly, for us, and unfortunately.
Uh, in social media, it's entirely too easy for. People to be, um, misled, whether intentionally or otherwise, by. Others with agendas who are posting information, which is just simply not true. And oftentimes, um, they know it's not true. So it's great that, um, you know, we're now taking the initiative to make it a lot easier for people to find. More information, more transparent information, so that… so they can understand what's happening and help them make the decisions, which ultimately helps us make good decisions.
Lastly, uh, Ms. Brody. You mentioned a couple times that. Um, you know, you've only been in a role 5-6 months, and…. You want to turn it more into your own, and you're beginning to bring some of your own ideas in. You know, I love that, and rec… you know, we recognize. We live in a world now which is… doesn't look like it did in the information age 5 years ago. And, you know, that's the world that you. You know, and you can navigate well, so, you know, I look forward to more of that, more of your bringing.
You know, your ideas and putting your stamp on how the district is communicating out there. And, you know, would look forward to whatever support. Um, we can give you in that effort. Other board member questions. Mr. Fain. Um, so also, not really questions as just comments. I had two things. The first one. I think some low-hanging fruit that we have with the communication piece, too, is the board. This is probably more towards our communication committee than it is for you guys, but I think that.
You know, we have a lot of discussion about giving the correct and updated information to the community partners to disseminate, and I think it's just as…. Important for us to be having the same consistent information that we can communicate. I think we're oftentimes. In that stance of what can we talk about, what can't we talk about, but maybe a good. Place to start from our perspective is to have whatever similar or whatever information that we as a board can also discuss and disseminate. Um, because I… obviously, the nine of us were chosen to be those people, so….
We're having these conversations at the swim club, and the Wegmans, and the wherever, although I have to say I've never had a conversation at Wegmans, thank God. In and out, but anyway, um, you know, we're constantly coming into, um, situations with community par…. Members and constituents that, um. I think that we are low-hanging fruit in that boat, and I think all of your data. Ms. Brody is a good…. Push towards potentially having a board social media. Presence… just saying. I know you're gonna hate me on day one, but, um….
Just putting it out there. I know we've started discussing that, but…. Anyway, moving on, I did have another piece about the Rutgers thing, um, coming from somebody who sat in the West Auditorium at one point in my life. Hearing from different colleges and everything, um, just some food for thought in that partnership. I know I…. Maybe times have changed, but I know that back in the day, Rutgers-Camden was kind of looked at as 13th grade. So what we used to call it, and a lot of…. Um, a lot of us were turned off from the idea of going to Rutgers-Camden, because we felt like, since it was literally next door, it would just be, like.
Being in high school again. Um, I attended a major university my first year, and then came right back home to go to Rutgers-Camden. And the thing that I appreciated the most about Rutgers Camden is the size of the school. And being… at the time, I know it's grown since I've attended, but I graduated with 9 other chemistry majors my first year… my… with my first, um, degree. And the personalized attention that I got at Rutgers Camden compared to where I went before.
Was… you couldn't compare the two. The opportunities that were given to me as a student at Rutgers-Camden were never available to me at the. University that I went to previously to that, so that could be a good selling point to a lot of your students. So, I… I always say that Rutgers-Camden is the best-kept secret in South Jersey. Um, I mean, I did the same thing you did, right? But I came back later. When I went back to Rutgers-Camden, I had a baby, right? So my… my college experience was very different than everybody else's.
But they never made me feel like. My college experience was different, right? I had very good relationships with my professors. Um, and I always say to kids, right. You know, you're graduating with a Rutgers diploma. It doesn't say on that diploma, Rutgers Camden. And you can still take classes. At the other campuses, right? And now with the river line, it's really easy to get up to those other campuses. But that's… that's what we're hoping, that when these students get on campus. They have that experience that you and I had. Yeah. And they're developing these relationships with these professors that it's going to make them want to stay there. Yeah, absolutely. Their letters of recommendation that they'll get. Also, the opportunities to… Research, right, to participate in research, all of that. And even, like, working and being able to participate, um, in the field that they're studying in earlier on.
You know, if they go… not advocating for not going away for college, but one of the other obstacles of moving away and going somewhere else that's larger is you don't always have that ability to. Even if it's on a volunteer basis, participate in the field that you're studying while going to school, just because of the dynamics of the school. So, huge advocate for that, and I really hope it takes off. Um, just some things from my personal stance that maybe could be a selling point. When we've taken students there, and one of the pieces that we're working out with Rutgers is.
You know, it still can't… it's still Camden, and no matter how much Camden has changed, there's still that image of Camden. So they're gonna… they're working on a parent program. To get parents there. Parents of our high school kids there, so that the parents can see. You know, first of all, it's… it's…. Not Camden-like when I was younger. And… and… and the advantages of being on that small campus. So they are very much aware. But when we've taken students there, and they've had that experience, and they've been in classes with the professors, and.
You know, the professors are engaging with them. The kids walk away from there really excited and really kind of thinking, oh, this is… this is not what I thought it was. They're aware of their image, we're aware of trying to help them combat that image, and I hope that it. It works out. That's awesome. And if… just another thing, on the West Coast, they look at Rutgers-Camden just like any other Rutgers, and they think it's an Ivy League school, and that's… that's a good thing, too. Can I just clarify just one time? Mr. Roscoe, have you… I think you just misspoke. You said $150 per course. Is $150 per credit, so it's actually $450 per course, but….
Students will receive a scholarship to offset the true cost per credit. True cost per credit, uh, ranges anywhere from $500 to $540 or $550 per credit, so…. Correct, correct. You're right, I'm sorry. This Rutgers alumni is stoked. Any other board member questions? Miss Dern. Um…. Just a few. So, just to kind of, um, first of all, appreciate it, and I appreciate.
I think… I appreciate the place we're in. I think we're in a really nice…. Moment of transition, and… and growth. Um, I think hearing the data, and I understand Ms. Barati, that, you know, perhaps the. Plan the kind of communication plan has already changed, so it's hard to compare apples to apples to previous year, and yet. The whole point is engagement. Right? The whole point is. Information and engagement. Um.
And by the way, I don't think it's a Terry Hill problem. It's because, um. You know, getting accurate information out to people. Is challenging, you know, and I… I see it in very small environments where. You have, you know. Every, you know, we're… people are champions of the environment, but still, they don't read their emails. Um, you know, and I see…. Just constant distortions. I have learned to read.
News very differently, having… now being a board member. I… I… every article that I read, which… and I read a lot of news articles from a lot of different sources. I read with a very different lens now, being on the side of a…. Large institution organization that, um. Has a lot of…. Information, some accurate and a lot very inaccurate, that floats out there. So, um, I appreciate the higher level of engagement. I think it's really important.
Um, you know, things that were so…. Like, real game changers, like the videos. The video is explaining some of the big changes, some of the budget, the junior high model, like, those are…. You know, it's talking about low-hanging fruit, man. That's like, you know, make a video that's succinct and easy to watch. Boom, there it is. Um, and so easy for our ambassadors to redirect, right? When we have that, um, so….
I do… I do think, um…. You know, there is a high level of interest, and there has been. The entire time I've been on the board. Um, that I, you know, witnessed, uh, to ensure there is accurate information. And there's also a high level of frustration when there's not. And how quickly…. You know, and I think it's only going to get much harder with AI. Much, much harder. It's already…. Getting more… getting hard. So…. Challenging. So, um….
I think, you know, I…. I think the key… I agree completely, the key about the ambassadors. Um, you know, having, um. More involvement, as they're willing. Um, a question I have, and um…. I guess it's a kind of a rhetorical question, I don't… I'm not asking for an answer, but, like. You know, do they have…. Training in, kind of. You know, are they getting training? Are we supporting them in kind of best practices for, kind of.
Being able to present information. That is factual, that…. Can really combat the misinformation without, you know, without having to engage in. You know, back and forth, but just kind of helping to put that out there. You know, and also just the…. Comfort level of doing that, because that actually, I think, is one of the biggest obstacles that I see. You know, there's a lot of people in our community. We're very… who have a lot of the facts. But, you know, they're not necessarily interested, nor do they want to put the time in, and I can't blame them.
Um, to put it out there, because there is so much…. That comes back at people when you do. When you put stuff out there, um…. Especially in a public forum and a social media forum. You know, I guess I'm just hoping that that's, you know, something that's… that's…. Dealing with, kind of, the emotional toll of being on that front line. I mean, Ms. Barati, you're… you… you know, it's your chosen profession, and, you know. I love that, like, it's amazing. Um, but it's hard, you know? So that's one thing. Totally switching gears, um….
Just to clarify, so…. This… these, um, Rutgers opportunities, which I also think are a complete. Game changer. Dr. Dreizen, when you first got on the board, you talked to me about. Not having dual credit in your high school, but having to go out. To take college courses, which I don't think was so unusual, nor is it even in a lot of places. I think there are a lot of places that. That that's the only option. I love that we have dual credit. Um, but this is a whole different experience, and quite honestly, we have a lot of kids who.
Who maybe don't find that spending their entire day in a high school environment is the best place for them. The best experience for them individually. Um, and perhaps getting out. Even for that reason could be very valuable. Um, so I look… and it sounds like it's pretty, you know, it's just developing, but I really look forward to hearing more… a lot more details. Perhaps even more, like, a full presentation, if we could. Because this is pretty different. Um, the other thing is…. Um, our… my… our former board president, Ben Ovadia, one of his dreams was to see.
Our students being able to leave high school with an associate's degree. That was a dream of his. And we talked a lot about dual credit on the time he was on the board. More in, you know, private conversations, how… and it's so… I mean. It's just very exciting to see how much this is developing, um…. You know, and we're definitely moving in that direction. Um, and there are…. Other districts and in other states. Where there are some states where statewide, students can, you know.
It's… it's a supported program. I wish it was the case here. But, um, you know, I think this, uh…. You know, we…. I think people would be shocked. I think most people in Cherry Hill, I think many of us are shocked to see. How many of our students. Do go on to do. Courses in local, um. County colleges, um…. You know, that's their next step after they graduate. So, you know, this is a huge….
Advantage. And I… I think…. A question I have along those lines, too, is…. Has there been any discussion about. Um, instant decision automatic enrollment in the four-year program. For our students who are maybe achieving a certain level in this. There has been discussion about that. Um, is there… has there been a decision made? That would have to… that would have to come from. From Rutgers, um, and…. I don't think they're opposed to it.
Um, and like I said, when, you know, Carol and Messias and I took kids down two years, two different times. Um, two different classes. They spent the day in the visual and performing arts, they took classes. They did a tour, Rutgers fed them lunch. Um, they… they then… the kids who were interested went over, they were taken over to admissions, they sat, they met with admissions. You know, I call their guidance counselor right then and said, you gotta send the transcripts now.
And they did, and they looked at their transcripts, and they accepted them on the spot. Once they were accepted, they took them right over to financial aid and started that process with them. So there is precedent for that. Right? That it was just, right now, that… that is… that's still sort of…. Being discussed. You know, and it's early days. Um…. Last time I see I have two other board members who are in the queue for questions. Understood. Um, last… my understanding is last year, the acceptance rate for Rutgers was 30%?
That's a very competitive acceptance rate. So that, that, you know, and that's a dramatic change that occurred, so… So this is… this is just me speaking now, right? So I think a lot of students are going to see. They can… they can sort of do the back door. They can… they can go in, they can get into Rutgers Camden, they can do this year of courses at Rutgers Camden. Prove themselves and be able to then transfer. To a different campus. Now, I don't know that that's Rutgers-Camden's goal, right? Because they want students on campus, but.
But I do think that that's… some of our students are going to be savvy enough that they're going to… they're going to figure that out. Thank you. Ms. Palmer. Um, I will try to keep my comments brief. Ms. Barati, I appreciate, um. The amount of energy and sort of the fresh perspective that you've brought to this PIO role in the months that you've been here, I think. We've seen the impact, the difference. I've had people comment. Just in public during some of those conversations, just about the value of the information that they're receiving.
Um, so I truly appreciate that. And I think, to Mrs. Cherfain's role, or Mrs. Chaffain's point earlier. I look forward to working with you through the communications committee, um, you know, a couple of us had a conversation this weekend about sort of what. What the board's role is, and are we a stakeholder, are we a partner? I think it's…. Somewhere in the middle, I think we're both. Um, but I look forward to working with you through the communications committee to see, really, kind of what the board's lane is, especially as we talk about. Strategic plan, our goals, um, just what we can do to.
Be those ambassadors in the community, or one, one of those ambassadors. So, I look forward to it. I appreciate your work, and I look forward to seeing. Six months from now, what our metrics look like, and really measure that progress in a way we haven't been able to before. Dr. Dreisen. Thank you. I just wanted to echo all of the compliments. I think this presentation is great, and all of the efforts you're doing are terrific. Um, I think, as Ms. Stern said, it's all about engagement, and my head did go where Mr. Faines went. It's really, um, for the board. What can we be doing?
You know, it was a bit of a surprise to me, still, you know, my first year on the board, we report out in correspondence all of the engagement that we're doing individually as board members. We have. That opportunity to engage with the community. But I do think there's an opportunity for us as a full board, how can we communicate? And that's where I'm really excited for the Communications Committee. I understand there may be a lot of issues to it, but, you know, that idea of having a Board of Ed presence on those main. Social media sites, even if it's just reposting. Cherry Hill Public Schools content, just as a means if people follow the board, they can quickly get access to that important information.
I think there is opportunity for us to think about how. The board can further engage with the community, in addition to us as individual board members. Participating in opportunities for engagement. Thank you. Other board member questions? Do not see any other questions. Thank you so much to you both. I think this is something…. Both the communications and community engagement pieces have been things that I know have been talked about in my entire time on the board, and it's really exciting to see so much of it come into fruition.
So thank you both for your efforts, we appreciate it. And let us know how we can help. All right, we have a second presentation tonight. It is a special education transition goal update by Ms. Mallory. Okay, good evening. Um, my presentation is not as lengthy. But that was wonderful. Tough act to follow, ladies.
Um, so just a quick update on the district special education slash transition goal. Um, just, uh, to reiterate the goal, um, falls under purpose and passion to ensure smooth and effective transitions for students. Receiving special education services, and to promote academic success and emotional well-being. Um, a recap from the January presentation, which I did see virtually and participated in, even though I was on leave.
Um, uh, we discussed the transitions in place for pre-K to elementary, elementary to middle, middle to high school, high school to post-secondary, and then for new students enrolling in the district. And I believe that presentation is still on our website. Is that…? Is that accurate? Yeah, from… from January. Jump ahead. Okay, so just, um, an overview of the action steps that were put into place this year.
Um, partnerships with key stakeholders was imperative from the very beginning. Collaboration with the community, the Board of Ed. Um, via our special education subcommittee. Um, our CPAC, and our, uh, Cherry Hill Special Education PTA, CHSEPTA. Um, we have been actively communicating with those stakeholders throughout the year, getting feedback, and their thoughts and, um. Discussion. This is not necessarily a new discussion, it was just more formalized through the Board of Ed goal this year.
Um, and then level-specific transition supports, meeting with the different levels via the case managers, working with our. Related service providers, including our BCBAs, um, and then ultimately our teachers and our staff, and then our building administrators was imperative as part of this process. Um, we had a lot of practice and experience with transition supports through our shift, um, last summer, moving the Kohl's program to High School East. Um, the… I think this was discussed at the last board meeting, um, I feel like our graduation ceremony, our celebration for those students was.
Kind of a highlight of all the hard work as it relates to the transition. Um, I don't have the data in front of me, but there was a lot of data. In working with our case managers at the high school level, that, um, they believe almost the opportunities for inclusion. I have doubled with our students at Kohl's, just being in proximity to High School East. And we do have students that still identify as the home school of West, so they're able to participate in their chosen home school.
Um, one of the events that took place as part of our, um. Transition goal action steps was our parent workshop that took place on May 21st. Um, there's a small photo, um, of the event. Uh, thank you, Ms. Barotti, for that. She took several photos that evening and came. Um, we had about 25 parents that attended, which was a nice turnout, given the time of year, and I think it was a really rainy night that evening as well. Um, and then it was a pleasant surprise to see some of our educational assistants come out to support our BCBAs who were presenting, so our two-district BCBAs.
Presented, um, to parents for about 45 minutes, and then left, um. Time at the end for questions, and also provided a QR code, um, with the objective to just, uh, support them with specific needs that they may have at home, preparing their students for transitions. Again, whether it be between levels. Um, or between programs during the school year, um, with just different specific strategies that they can implement to assist, um, we got a lot of good feedback. No formal feedback, even though we did provide the QR code, but a lot of good verbal feedback from the attendees.
Um, that is also recorded and put on our website, um, for those parents who could not attend that evening, or anyone who wants to view it. Um, and there's also the form to ask questions after they view it. Um, we also still have, I should just note, our, um, special education quick question on our website. If you go under departments. And special education student services, it's on the left-hand side, um, where questions can be asked, uh, anonymously. Obviously, we need an email to respond. Um, that has had some throughout the year. We've had some questions, um, not any specific to transition, per se, which may be a good thing, which means we're providing some information.
Um, so there's that still available as well. Finally, one of the things that kind of organically came to the surface as we start to think about students, um, remaining in their home schools. Or really focusing on how many students are able to attend their homeschools. Um, with the specific programming that's determined by their individualized education programs, or IEPs. Um, we have weekly section meetings with our registration department. Um, we also have planning meetings as a special education group, administratively with our case managers.
And also, um, with our student management system coordinator. Um, the reason being is all of those stakeholders are imperative in ensuring that we can put students. Um, as much as possible in their home school setting, um, while meeting the needs of their IEPs. We also created a Google Form for our case managers to complete. So, if a student is recommended for a different placement, or. Um, they are, um, declassified. Um, they are able to complete that form.
And get them on, um…. The list, if it's necessary, because we do… we do have some grade levels that fill up, and there are some waiting lists. Um, and registration prioritizes getting them into their home school based on the change in their programmatic needs. This can hap… this happens every year with annual… the annual review process, so we felt like it was important to formalize a process for case managers so that they're having the conversation with the parent at the meeting and offering them that opportunity if they want, you know, obviously we have the, um.
The procedure in place that if they're going into 5th grade, they don't have to go back to their home school. Um, but we definitely want to present them with that opportunity. Some of them have siblings in their home schools. So, um, we've had a few parents that were really grateful for that this year specifically. Um, and then looking at documentation to make data-driven decisions. Um, for transition, so looking at last year's data to see how many students with IEPs were placed in their home school, we'll be looking again at this year's data to see, have we seen an increase based on the, um.
Highlighting the efforts to place students in their home schools, and ultimately, this is avoiding those transitions, um, but also keeping in mind the transition back for some students, so offering tours to the parents. Um, offering, uh, the, um, we talked about the, um. Infographics for each building, which principals are currently updating now. Um, so that parents are actually given a hard copy, or if they want it via email, it's just a quick snapshot, one pager, about the school, so they know right away who the principal is, who the case manager's gonna be.
Who the counselor is, what activities are available in the school. So, we find that's just, uh, easy to have that quick access, um, and parents like that, so that they're not searching on the website for information, um, because it is overwhelming, especially at the elementary level, with 12 elementary schools. Um, and then just a little bit about continued focus, so we plan to do another, uh, parent workshop in the fall of 2025. Um, we haven't picked a specific. Uh, focus for that, but I imagine it'll be aligned with our special education goals that we're going to focus on for 25-26.
Um, we're gonna continue with our transition support training for our case managers, uh, with our BCBA staff and with our other related service providers. Um, we started to train each building in our verbal de-escalation safety care training for district staff, so that will continue next year. Just ensuring that they, um, have the appropriate language to support students. In general, but with a focus on behavior and understanding student behaviors just across the board.
Um, and then participating on the elementary redistrict… in the elementary redistricting process, um, keeping special ed at the forefront of decision making. Um, and then expansion of programs going into next year to provide those, uh, homeschool opportunities, so…. We are adding a kindergarten section for folding inclusion at Kilmer Elementary next year. Um, that's based on the number of students recommended for that program that are… their home school is Kilmer. Um, and then we are opening up two classes on the, uh, west side for our autism support program next year.
Um, at Thomas Paine Elementary. So, we will continue to do that and make decisions, um, obviously, that are fiscally responsible, but also keep in mind that that is the direction we're moving towards as a district. Um, and then just one of my favorite quotes, because I think everything falls under the umbrella of ensuring that we have good relationships with our families as much as possible, and really understanding that we provide a service to our families, whether it be. Administratively and out of our office at Central, or through our buildings with our building administrators and our case managers.
Um, and ensuring that that's something we're always kind of falling back on, so that when we do have to deliver information or, you know. Share with the family that, unfortunately, their child does have to go to a different school because the program that they need to be successful isn't located in the building that they're currently in, or their home school. Um, that that's done with fidelity and care, because it is a big deal, um, you know, to a lot of parents. It's something that's really important to them, so…. Any questions? Thank you, Ms. Mallory. I feel like both of our presentations tonight encompass things that.
We talked about very early on in my board tenure and seemed extremely far away. And it's really exciting now, at this point. I'm going into my third year of being here. To see the forward progress we're making on important goals like communication and special education. So, one thing I just wanted to…. To talk about a little bit is that…. You know, through the process of the strategic plan, I was able to sit in with the Special Education Committee, and it's really exciting to see your vision, your holistic vision for special education coming through in everything you do.
I love the fact that we're talking about an emphasis on keeping kids in their homeschools or as close to it as possible. Whenever possible, understanding that the program and the kids' needs. Drive the placement of where the student is. But I think that's something that parents and families. And the board talked about for a really long time, so I'm excited to see that there's processes now being put into place around that idea, um, and that's to your credit and the credit of your department. And also the expansion… thoughtful expansion of programs and placing programs thoughtfully where the students are.
Like the Kilmer co-teaching. I think…. When I first heard about that, I was so happy to hear that it made sense. When you had a group of kids that needed that program. Who attended that school, then instead of taking all those kids and moving them somewhere else. He opens the program in that school, and I…. Thank you for making that possible. Yeah, and just to follow up on that, to use it as an example, so we often hear frustration from parents if their child has an annual review meeting, maybe in March, because that's when the timeline, it's due.
Um, and they're not told at that meeting which school their child will be placed in, and the Kilmer inclusion class is a perfect example. So we weren't able to really determine that that was possible until. Probably the end of April, when we were able to kind of get the bigger picture and see that we had enough kids. To hire a teacher to create that program at Kilmer. So, it's a tough balance for us. We often will, you know, case managers are instructed to put. Placement to be determined on IEPs, and that's difficult for parents sometimes. Um, but that said, that's part of our process to ensure that when we look at our total numbers as we get closer to the end of the school year, we can make those decisions, and sometimes.
Make some parents really happy, which happened this year. I appreciate that as a parent who's often had June IEP meetings. Um, it's challenging for families, but I think, you know, to the point, and I see this as well when we talk about the planning process for preschool placement, it's hard to under… it's hard to think about the big picture and where it makes the most strategic sense, and so you have all the information. And sometimes you don't have all the information until later in the process, then parents wish they. Had it. So even if a parent wants to know in March, if you don't have the information until May, June. That's tough. And I just also want to call out while we're on the topic, the, um, the placement.
Of the ASD classes at Payne, on the… on the west side. I think that's been a huge missing piece for so long. And I got the opportunity to talk to the principal of pain at Star Games. And… when I spoke with her, she was so excited about the opportunity to welcome those students to her school. And had a vision for what that would look like, and the emphasis on inclusion, which I think has also been a hallmark of your leadership. Is really talking about not just inclusive opportunities in name only, or like, hey, we're inclusive, meaning you can come to our.
Winter party, and that's what you did. It's talking about a full idea of what inclusion looks like, full inclusion. With other students, incorporate it into the fabric of the school, I think Thomas Payne does that really well. Um, so I'm excited to see where that goes going forward, so thank you for your leadership on that. Um, I'm really thrilled that. The goal that we set around transitions last year has borne all this good fruit, even in just one year. It's really a huge step forward, so thank you. Other board member questions. Mr. Fain.
Um, one question for clarity. When you were talking about the students, um, that no longer needs. Services and are put back into Gen Ed. Is there…. A possibility that they would not be put back into their home school because of enrollment. So, uh…. It depends, so they're prioritized, which is why we created that Google Form. Um, we… we do meet weekly, I mean, it is a fascinating process to meet with registration every week to go through, because kids are moving in and out at each grade level, so we literally go through the process.
Registrations there, transportation, special ed. Um, uh, ESL, every… pretty much every department is represented at the meetings each week. Um, just to go through every single grade level to say, okay, how many spots do we have left here, there, you know, that sort of thing. Um, but like I said, if we can anticipate, you know, obviously until we hold the meeting, we can't know. Um, but we are definitely working with registration to say, hey, these students were technically 4 students at one point. How can we get them back into being prioritized to be placed back?
The other thing we look at, too, is do they have a sibling? That's always something that's a consideration, because it just makes it easier. Um, I would say it's probably rare. We can definitely kind of keep an eye on that, um, but unfortunately, yes, if it is full because of class caps, we can't… there's not much we can do about it other than. Constantly monitor it for a spot to open up, and that goes all the way into August. So some parents are aware that, you know, you may get a call, while right now we can't do it. You may get a call before school starts with the good news that, you know, a spot has opened up.
Gotcha. Thank you for that. And then I had one other question. I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer it, but just listening through, I was curious if we've already started to see. Any data, or what we're specifically looking for in transitions from preschool to kindergarten. You know, we… it's obviously the preschool program extended preschool program. We've always had something is newer…. But is… have we seen anything with the expanded access to preschool? Meaning, as far as what? Like, increased…. With… honestly, I'm not even sure. There's, like, what we're looking for, or anything. So we've always identified preschoolers. That's been for as long as the program at Malberg. Previously, Barclay has been open.
Um, and really what has become of our preschool expansion is we've created the intervention at the preschool level for students. We've really been mindful of, um, supporting our gen ed side. We work closely with Dr. Mahan. And Ms. Edwards, and the preschool team as they're growing and developing to ensure that. We can help them put, um, interventions in place, so that is a big piece of, like, what their MTSS process would be. So we really haven't seen an increase of referrals, necessarily, because we've always just.
You know, we work with early intervention, we have a pretty solid process in place to make sure that we're identifying all those kids by the time they turn 3. Um, we have seen an increase in parent referrals, just knowing either they didn't get into the lottery, and they suspect their child may have a disability, um, but we… we pretty much, um. You know, consider them in the same way we would for a student that would be referred prior to preschool expansion. But the great thing for us is, I think, in the long run, we may see that students who get that support and that intervention.
Ultimately won't need to be classified, because they've gotten that intensive intervention. Or, you know, a lot of times it's the language piece that they need to be exposed to their typically developing peers. Um, whereas before, we would get kids turning 5, and the parent registers them in August, and we're like, wait a minute, where'd you come from? Um, you know, we do everything we can through ChildFind, obviously, but there were… there's always a few kids that, you know. We don't get, and they didn't, and those years, I mean, those of you who have had any connection to education know how imperative ages 3 to 5 are.
Especially for early intervention in students with disabilities, so…. Thank you. Yep. Ms. Gallagher. Mine will be a pretty quick question. Where can you find the link to the recording of the transitions? I was looking on the website, and I can't find it. Uh, Mark's not here, um, but I believe it's under… it might be under special education. I'll look, and I'll… Okay. It's not… okay, because I know… so the BCBAs and MARC were going back and forth on email, and I was copied, but full disclosure, I don't know where it landed. So, I know it's there, I just… I can find out, and let… we can let you know that… where it's….
Where it's at. Other board member questions on special education transitions. No other questions. Thank you so much, Ms. Mallory. We really appreciate all the updates we got from you this year, and we're excited to see. Going forward, what continues to develop, so thank you. Moving on to administrative reports, we have none this evening. Okay, moving on to correspondence. Full disclosure, I have a ton of correspondence. If you are like me.
To try to keep it tight and brief, I am going to…. Start with…. I think it's this side. So here's what I think. I think I'm starting on this side for correspondence, but that side for student reps. I think that's true. Dr. Dreisen, take it away. Sure, and if others want to chime in on some of this, because I know I did a lot of it with the members of the board, but on June 16th. Mr. Fain, Mr. Mayor, Ms. Palmer, and I attended the Junior high school model presentation at Karusi.
Um, on June 18th, Ms. Gallagher and Ms. Winters and I attended a really interesting NGSBA webinar focused on setting district and board goals, a practical guide for school board members, which hopefully can help inform. Discussions as we embark on some of those processes. And then I'll defer, perhaps, to Ms. Winters, but, um, just a great experience on June 20th, attending both. Of the graduations. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I actually don't say none this time. Um… Wow, you're leveling up. How about that? Year 4.
Um, well, that's what happens when, uh, when schools, the final school bell rang yesterday, so I can now attend things again. Um, just to add to, um, Dr. Dreisen's. Um, mention of the Karusi…. Junior high model, meaning, um. What I took away from that, um, although, of course. Aware of the model we've been in other meetings before, but. What I was not aware of was that just how. Intentionally involved staff.
And administrators have been in the curriculum development as well. Um, that I thought that was…. For me, that was… add some added comfort. And greatly appreciated the fact that. Um, the administrators and staff that were there. Um, we're able to answer questions and, you know, and issues and concerns which were brought by some parents. And they did so fully, um, and I thought with a great deal of confidence, so…. It was a good presentation and very good back and forth with the community as well.
Thank you. Ms. Gallagher, correspondence? Yeah, I'll take Rosa, since…. I assume you haven't, no. Um, so I think Mr. Mary was talking about. A middle school presentation? Yeah, sorry. Um, so I… oh, shoot. Um, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Winters, and I attended, uh, Rosa…. When was… a couple weeks ago. And, uh, similar comments to Mr. Mayor. Um, Dr. Kafania did a wonderful job, um.
Presenting the schedule changes and answering a lot of questions from the audience, and…. Um, a lot of information was presented, and he did a wonderful job, um, you know, addressing parents' concerns. So, that's it. Excellent. So, I attended both Beck and Rosa for the junior high model, but I will let other people talk about that. Because I also attended the ECAC, which is the…. Early Childhood Advisory Committee. Which is the pre-K through 3 committee. There are a lot of new members, which I think is super exciting as preschool continues to grow and expand, talking about transitions a lot on that call as well.
I attended the Moving Up ceremony for Kilmer Elementary School. Which was super fun. It was outside, it looked like it was gonna rain, but it didn't. Lots and lots of families outside to see their Kilmer students move up, and Dr. Rick did a fabulous job, um, helping those children. With the end of their Kilmer experience transitioning into their middle school careers. I attended the retiree. I got to speak, which was really exciting to see some of our teachers who have served our community for so long. Be acknowledged at the end of their careers. I attended the ROSA graduation.
Which was really neat, also very hot. Um, in the gym at East, but it was… it's…. I did cry. I cry at every graduation, I feel like. It's just such a beautiful moment to see the kids and all their successes, um. And also to…. Watch the kids who are being recognized, especially for their character, education, achievements. Musical achievements, to hear the choir and the, you know, the graduation ensemble play, Pomp and Circumstance. Just a beautiful day for those kids at a key moment as they're transitioning on to high school.
Uh, I attended Juneteenth, which was a community event with Ms. Stern. We were there with CHEA, which was pretty nice to celebrate the holiday in Cherry Hill and represent the board at that occasion. And yesterday, I attended the NJSBA Leadership Summit, which is the training for board presidents. It had not been held since 2018. So there were a lot of board presidents there from all over the state. I definitely learned a lot from. Uh, the other presidents, we talked about. It was 3 parts, lead, preside, and unify.
So LEED is the Leadership Competencies, um. To gain as you are board president, preside had to do with how to preside over an effective meeting. I got some good tips and tricks, new things I'm gonna try, so stay tuned, hold on. Um, and UniFi was about how to lead a unified board, even with diverse opinions, perspectives. Um, so it was really helpful, and probably the most important thing for me is we are a little bit of a unicorn in South Jersey, being such a big district. Um, we are much bigger than even Camden City now. So it was nice to be in a group with other school districts that were large. I was in a… I was paired with.
Newark, Jersey City, and Woodbridge, which happens to be a very similar, um. District to us, demographically, um, several high schools, and I actually really. Got along with the Woodbridge Board President, so we're going to support each other, which is nice. Because it's, as Ms. Stern can tell you, this is sometimes a lonely job. So it's nice to talk to other board presidents and hear how they are effectively, um, leading their boards. To better outcomes. So, it was a really, really great day. Mr. Greenbaum. Thank you. So, a few items to share.
Um, I attended the Cooper Elementary School Moving Up Ceremony. It was exciting to celebrate our 5th graders as they move up to junior high. I also wanted to give a shout out to Mrs. Hamill, who was the kindergarten teacher for the class that was interrupted by COVID. That was supposed to be the first. Full-day kindergarten class, and she… she's no longer teaching in the district, but she came back to. Just to see them… how far they've come, and…. You know, just the… the appreciation, the affection they had for her is wonderful.
And, you know, full disclosure, she was my kid's teacher, too, and…. Same thing, just through the pandemic, really was able to connect with the teachers. Um, so thank you and congratulations to all of our incoming 6th graders. Um, I also joined my board colleagues at the graduation ceremonies for High School East and High School West. It was an honor to be on stage handing out diplomas, and…. Shaking everyone's hand and congratulating them. Um, so congratulations to our graduates, and good luck!
This is your fain. I don't think I have anything new. I think everyone spoke to…. The activities. Ms. Stern? Same. Ms. Palmer. Sure, so in addition to the, uh, junior high information sessions at, uh, Rosa and Karusi. And the high school graduations that Mr. Greenbaum discussed, um, I had the opportunity to attend Carusi Middle School's graduation this year. It was last Wednesday, um, and again, you know, yes, the gym at West was. Unbelievably hot and humid. Um, but it was… it's just nice to see, you know, the administration and.
The younger kids who are in band and chorus, and the whole community just come together to celebrate this huge. Huge milestone, even though I guess sometimes it doesn't feel like, but it is. It's a big transition from. Middle school to high school, um, some…. Amazing kids going east. Some are going east, some are going west. One got a scholarship to Bishop Eustace. Um, so just bright, young. Young men and women in our district. I'm thrilled for them. Thrilled for all of our graduates. I have to say that. Between that and the high school graduations, it was….
The highlight, probably, of my brief 6 months so far on the board. It was really an inspiring week last week. Thank you. So I'm so many good things. All right. Moving on, our new student representatives are going to give their first reports to the board. We appreciate it. So we are going to start with High School East. Starting with academics, um, the school year concluded with final exams occurring from Tuesday, June 10th through Friday, June 13th. And makeup, uh, days from Monday, June 16th, through Friday, June 20th.
4th and working period grades were subsequently posted on Genesis on Friday, June 20th at 4pm. Class of 2025 departed from East on Friday, June 20th, to celebrate the culmination of their high school journey during graduation ceremony at the Leah Chorus Center. East journalist Claire Ding, Chloe Wren, and Landon Schuster were among just 10 students in New Jersey selected for the 2024. Your 2025 Garden State Student Journalism All-Star Team on Friday, June 13th. Sisters Gina and Leah Park competed at the National History Day contest, placing in the top 10 among more than 100 senior group websites.
Gina and Leia also won the Outstanding State Senior Entry for New Jersey. Rising seniors Jacob Adler, Carrie Bloom, Max Zukofka, Roanoke Pathik, Landon Schuster, and Nico Spatucci. Represented East at the 79th session of the American Legion Jersey Boys State Program. Hosted at Ryder University from Sunday, June 15th through Friday, June 20th. And rising senior Anna Bardunias is currently representing East at the American Legion Auxiliary Jersey Girl State. From Sunday, June 22nd through Thursday, June 26th. Moving on to activities, The Wizard of Oz-themed senior prom occurred on Thursday, May 29th, at the Crystal Tea Ballroom in Philadelphia.
Um, after starting the year with a September Senior Sunrise to Class of 2025 concluded their time at East. With the June Senior Sunset on Monday, June 2nd. For seniors took in the warm weather and glowing sunset. Signed your books, and enjoyed ice cream courtesy of the PTA. Um, on Monday, June 9th, East hosted a successful field day where students enjoyed Kona Ice, Mr. Softy. An inflatable obstacle course, long games like cornhole and spikeball, and sports including pickleball, soccer, volleyball, and kickball. Endorse students could relax with a movie, a board game. A sensory space run by the Autism Acceptance Club, and in the meantime, much to the light of the cheering students.
Four staff members took a plunge in the dunk tank. Class of 2025 also laced up for the Senior Skate Night, hosted at Hot Wheels on June. On Wednesday, June 14th. And on Wednesday, June 18th, the class of 2025 participated in the annual Clap Out. By returning to their elementary schools, where they walk through the hallways and were greeted by claps. Cheers, cards, and drawings from current elementary school students. Project Graduation 2025 held the night of the graduation ceremony, was a huge success. Packed with activities ranging from inflatables and arcade-style games. The face painting, photo booths, and a live hypnotist show.
Seniors enjoyed food, sketch artists, spikeball, foosball. Card games and a quiet room, and more as they celebrated one final night together as a class. In athletics, East Baseball, softball. Boys golf, girls golf, boys tennis, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, girls track, and boys volleyball teams, all concluded their spring seasons with strong performances. As stated by Mr. Burrell. Um, East Football Seniors Aiden Stewart and Isaiah Donaldson helped. Lead the Southside team to a one-point victory in the New Jersey All-Star game on Sunday, June 8th.
Marking the second consecutive year in which at least one East football player participated. Um, and boys cross country, girls cross country. Boys basketball, boys soccer, cheer, football, and boys lacrosse have begun practicing in preparation for their upcoming seasons. In the arts, performances for Senior Solo Night on June 10th showcased a variety of talents from East graduating seniors for one final time. Um, and in general, we commend all of our students for their hard work and dedication this year. Are looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduates and welcoming our returning students.
Thank you so much. High School West! Okay, so, West 2024, 2025 school year has come to an end, with many finals, banquets, and preparation for the next school year. As for academics, all of our classes closed out, with their final exams falling on June 10th to 13th. Wes held Career Day on June 2nd, allowing students to meet with three professionals from three fields of their choice. It was once again a success, with over 70 community members coming in to present. Thank you to Ms. Caselani for organizing it again this year.
Moving on to athletics, the girls lacrosse team competed in the South Jersey Group 3 Final on Tuesday, June 10th. Against the Morristown Quakers, though they unfortunately lost, their win against Shawnee in the semi-final game prior to this was huge for the program. Our spring track season had by far been Cherry Hill West's most successful season. With a total of 9 athletes moving on to New Balance Nationals. This couldn't have been achieved without our new cross-country and track coach, Mr. El Muchio. As school records had been beat every single meet. All registration for fall sports opened on June 16th.
Football preparation has already started, with ongoing summer practices. Cheer Trots began with cross-country summer practices following. As for the arts, West's annual art show for 2D and 3D art was held in Jones Gym. June 5th and June 6th, open to students and the community. This is accompanied by the empty bowls for pottery sale, as well as the fun brownies and bars baking competition. Those who purchased a bowl were able to sample the desserts in the baking competition and vote their winner. All of the proceeds are to the Cherry Hill Food Pantry, making this event of creativity and giving back to the community.
The National Art Honor Society inducted 15 new members at the end of May, growing the organization and its presence at West. West Music Department planned to compete in Music in the Parks at Six Flags this year on June 7th, however, due to last-minute complications with the bus company and funding, they only visited Six Flags, not competing. The music banquet was held on June 10th, celebrating all of us performing our art programs. Due to our number's growing in choir, concert choir will be added as a class next year, available for all of the students to take.
As for extracurriculars, student government officially picked out the 2025 and 2026 Executive Committee on May 9th. Maintaining the same board as last year with two new additions. Wavelength is a new a cappella group starting next year at West. It will compete in the annual ICHSA competition next year. Instead of our acapella groups for Mata and Men of No, it is by far our West's most competitive a cappella group, as only members of Fermata and Men of Note. Are able to try out with a cap of 18 members. The Arab Culture Association and Latinos Out West were invited to perform their dances.
Uh, Orstmann Elementary. Both clubs performed routines that prepared to showcase the cultures they represent. Both clubs also left students with an activity to compete in the classroom to enhance their exposure and their learning. On June 8th, Wes hosted a cast event where students and guest speaker Professor. Ptolemy presented about how to maintain a national park in your own yard. And as for notes, senior sunset, one last chance to bond with classmates happened on June 9th. On June 11th, West was…. Called Scholarship Night, where 71 students in the Class of 2025 were recognized.
And granted over 70…. $1,000 in scholarships. The seniors had a chance to attend their elementary school clap out on June 17th. Where students from both East and West graduate in class returned to the elementary school they attended, bringing the Cherry Hill education into a full circle. There's also Senior Skate Night at Hot Wheels Skating Rink for a fun night with senior class. Mezcatane, Ms. Tax, Ms. Catino, Mr. Sweden, Ms. Schwartz, and Ms. Roscoff are retiring. We thank them for all their service they've provided to the West community.
June 16th and 18th was graduation practice, where seniors rehearsed and got ice cream afterwards. Graduation was a success, taking place on June 20th at Temple University. Family, friends, and faculty all gathered together to celebrate and cheer on the graduates. We're extremely proud of our graduating class and cannot wait to see what their futures entail. Thank you so much to both of you for those reports. We appreciate it. Okay, next on the agenda…. Is…. First public comment! We made it! There will be two opportunities for public comment this evening.
This first public comment section is for Board action items only, which are items 13 through 16. And there will be another public comment section for any topic at the end of the meeting. If you are a student in the district. You may comment on any agenda item during the first public comment period. Please identify yourself as a student. That means if you're online, please put an S next to your name so that I know that you're a student waiting to speak. If you would like to speak now, please identify the agenda item and clearly state your name and municipality.
We will alternate between speakers here in the room and those that are online. And each speaker will be given a maximum of 3 minutes to speak. The timer on the screen will indicate the amount of time you have remaining. Public comment is an opportunity for members of the community to comment on matters relevant to the operations of the Cherry Hill Public School District or within the authority of the Cherry Hill Board of Education. The board welcomes diverse opinions on relevant matters. Under-established federal law governing reasonable restrictions on speech in public forums. Statements which demean individual community members or groups, or which are irrelevant to the operations of the school district, or repetitious, will not be permitted.
Community members who would like to present information not relevant to the school district are always welcome to communicate directly to district superintendent, board president, and all board members via email or other alternative means. Okay. We start in the room as by custom. You can please approach the microphone and just give us your name and where your municipality, where you live, and you have 3 minutes. My name is Zoe Steinitz, I live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I'm a rising junior at Cherry Hill High School East.
And the Secretary of the Autism Acceptance Club. During one of our meetings, we discussed sensory issues, and some of the students brought up how the fire alarm. Differs…. From the ones used in the Cherry Hill Middle Schools, as it is louder, brighter, and overwhelms many of our students with such. With sensory issues, particularly those on the autism spectrum. These students have to endure an overload every month when we have our fire drill safety…. Safety, and they are given no warning in advance. That a fire drill is about to take place. We understand that state law requires fire drills to be carried out every month, so.
I would like to initiate a compromise. Where… where…. The fire drills at Eastward, like, the ones in our middle schools, where. Um, they… they start off with bright lights for its, um, they… they do produce a loud sound, but it… it…. Gradually diminishes over… over time. Uh, and this is especially imperative right now, since. Last year, the alternative high school was brought over to the district, meaning many kids that have.
Sensory issues or on the autism spectrum themselves. Also have to now endure a really loud bell. We acknowledge that Cherry Hill High School East is a big school. And the fire alarm needs to be loud so that everyone can. Can hears it. In case of an actual emergency, however, we believe that. There could… there could be more done to ensure that. Um, during a fire drill. People… people are calm, people…. People… people aren't overwhelmed, and they can get out of the building safely. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comment. We appreciate it. Going online, phone number ending in 788, it's your turn. Please unmute and give us your name and municipality. My name is Jeff Podowitz, I live in Cherry Hill. It started out with 14.11. Transfer of current year surplus to capital reserve, um, the aforementioned statutes, authorized procedures under the authority of the Commissioner of Education, which permit a Board of Education to transfer unanticipated access current revenue, or unexpended appropriations into reserve accounts during the month of June by Board Resolution.
And you want to transfer $12 million into the capital reserve account. Are there any other reserve funds accounts that you can transfer this funds to? By putting $12 million all into capital reserve, you're limiting where the money can be spent. If the… if, um…. And you actually had that excess, which is great that you had that excess. So are there any other reserve funds or any other way you could make those funds available for any other things, uh, teachers, any other things that you can do? I don't like this limitation just to capital reserve. And please do something about it.
Please change that. I complained about the same thing last year. Um, the other is 13.8 curriculum instruction. Approval of submission of NJCAP grant program for the 2025-2026 year. I looked up what this CAP program is. And, um, first of all, you should be doing this anyway with all the kids. You all have licenses, and… you know, you have to do some sort of training for the license. That's number one. Number two, the course of implementation is $7,934.
My question would be, what about the cost for grades 6 to 8? You don't have that. What about the cost from 1 to 12 for students with disabilities? You don't have that. You don't mention the cost for high school at all. Also, these costs that you mentioned, does the cost include… I would say vote, no to this, and vote no to both, is the designing costs include the teacher's time? And staff's time spent on this, because it should. So the true cost. For grades K-5, supposedly, it's $34,000. That's what you have, but does that include the time that's being spent?
Because it should be. It should include that time, the teachers' times, and also what about the kids' learning? Um, maybe the kids could be learning during this time if the kids are there present, too. Anyway, vote no on this, because I think the cost may be quite a bit more than $40,000 when you include all the time that's going to be spent, and the fact that you're paying for the teacher's time, maybe they could be taught… used to educate the kids. Instead of this. Um, thank you very much. Both… both know on both. You will vote…. Thank you, Dr. Patowitz. Dr. Potowitz for your comment.
Going back to the room, seeing no one in the room, going back online, phone number ending in 891, it's your turn, please unmute and give us your name and municipality. It looks like that caller has hung up. Gonna give it one more minute. For that caller, if they'd like to come back on, ending in, I believe it was 891.
I don't see anyone raising their hand online. I don't see anyone in the room, so I'm going to close first public comment. Moving on to superintendents' comments. Were there any superintendents' comments this evening? Absolutely, Ms. Winters. Thank you for the opportunity. Uh, just like to, uh…. Express kudos to the Carusi baseball team and all the members, all the participants, rather, of our spring sports.
As you've heard, it was an outstanding season. Um, quite frankly, the entire year was a great year, better year, uh, for our athletics program, so you think about the vast number of children that participate within our program. Um, athletics program. It's truly amazing to see the success that our kids continue to have. Um, I want to express much appreciation for. Mr. Steve Redfern. Definitely a pleasure to see him recognize this evening. It's a bit bittersweet to see his retirement, but I've….
Had an opportunity to work with Steve for many years, um, had an opportunity to be his principal when he was a 5th grade teacher. And, you know, the passion that he exudes and has for the community is, one. That he had for all of his students as well. So, um…. I wish him well in everything that he does. Uh, we had an opportunity to hear from many board members who expressed their gratitude and appreciation for their participation. And the culminating events that we… that we had last week. Last week was a whirlwind. It was absolutely exhausting, but it was also inspiring and exhilarating and truly phenomenal.
And as a, you know, as I participated in each of the graduation ceremonies, middle schools included. I always like to take time to just look at the faces of. Families and, uh, guardians and parents, and, you know, it's just this understanding. And this realization that. Uh, our kids have so many people behind them that absolutely adore and absolutely love them. And it's just, you know, it humbles me. And, you know, it's just a reminder that, you know, I have the same feeling for my family as we all do.
And it's a responsibility that we have to absolutely give our kids our best on an each and every day basis. Um, just because of who they are and what they represent, uh, to so many great people, so…. Just like to say thank you to families for entrusting us with the opportunity. To care for their children. This school year was a great school year for the district, and you know, I like to use the word momentum to say that, you know, we're moving forward with purpose. But we're picking up tremendous momentum. It's a great year for the team and staff and the board.
Everyone involved, so it's great to be immersed and, you know, amidst the work. Um, in closing, I'd just like to wish everyone. A happy summer. I like to say to our students, please make sure that you make great decisions and be safe this summer. I don't want to be a downer, but…. Remember, summer reading? Get summer reading is important. That's not a downer. That's exciting! So the beginning of the summer, so…. Uh, but our summer reading, uh, just as a reminder, summer reading information is available on the district website.
I could go to the Academics tab and click on, uh, Summer Reading, it'll take you to another site that gives a wealth of information about our summer reading. Exciting. Uh, a summer reading assignments. Um, information was also sent home with students, but, um. Great, great summer, great year. Thank you. So I was at the library today with my 8-year-old, doing a program about crayons. And there was a child who came up and asked the librarian. To help him find his summer reading book. So I'm just saying, for some of us, summer reading is the best part of summer.
Some of us. All right, on to our action agenda, where the action is. Cni is first. Superintendent recommends, and I move the following. 13.1, approval of attendance at conference and workshops for the 24-25 school year. 13.2 approval of attendance at conference and workshops for the 25-26 school year. 13.3, approval of out-of-district student placement for the 24-25 school year. 13.4, approval of out-of-district student placement for the 25-26 school year. 13.5, Brookfield Schools Educational Services Program, 25-26 school year. 13.6 approval of professional service agreements for the 25-26 school year.
13.7 Resolution Approving Settlement Agreement. And 13.8 approval of submission of NJCAP grant, that's the Child Assault Prevention Program. Grant program for the 25-26 school year. Do I have a second? Mr. Greenbaum, any questions on the CNI agenda tonight? Looking around, I see no… oop! I see no questions. Augustine, can you please open up the voting?
Voting is open. Thank you. Ms. Augustine? On agenda item…. 13.2. I need to abstain. From the item with my name, which is item N. Should we just go around? Should we…. Ms. Augustine and Ms. Sugars, do we each need to individually announce that we're abstaining from our name? We can just… we can notate that for each of you. Board members, that's okay with us, that we all don't need to announce it? Each individual member will abstain from their individual name.
Under Agenda Item 13.2. Ms. Palmer? Uh, Ms. Augustine, I have an additional… I need to abstain on, um…. The payments to Bancroft in agenda item 13.4. Do I need to abstain on the entire item, or just… can I just abstain on those payments? Thank you.
Several extensions. Sorry. We have several abstentions, 13.4 for the bankrupt payments by. Ms. Palmer and 13.2, item N for each of the board members… board members. Named on, uh, item N. Uh, other than that, the vote is unanimous. Unanimous. Thank you, Ms. Augustine, and please don't apologize. That's probably one of the trickiest ones we do all year.
And we gave it to you right out of the gate. You did beautifully, so thank you. Moving on to the BNF agenda, Mr. Greenbaum, please move the BNF agenda. The superintendent recommends, and I move the following. 14.1, approval of minutes, board working session, and special action meeting minutes, and executive session minutes, dated May 13, 2025. 14.2, approval of minutes, regular meeting minutes, and executive session minutes dated May 27th, 2025.
14.3, financial reports, 14.4, resolutions, 14.5, resolution for the award of bids. 14.6, resolution for the award of RFPs. 14.7, resolution for the award of transportation, 14.8, alternate method of compliance, toilet Rooms for Early Intervention and Pre-Kindergarten trans…. Classrooms, 14.9, resolution authorizing educational facilities waivers. 14.10 resolution for the cancellation of outstanding checks, 14.11, transfer of current year surplus to capital reserve.
And 14.12, acceptance of donations. Uh, this week we have a donation from Haley Edelman and Waypost Books to be used for purchasing books from the author to support social and emotional learning at Woodcrest. A donation from Spin Club Philadelphia for two tabletop tennis tables to start a table tennis club at High School West. Donation from Sustainable New Jersey for school grant funded by PSC&G Foundation to be used to develop our climate and sustainability research center in the Rosa Library.
An anonymous donation to pay for meal debt at Beck, Carusi, and Rosa Middle Schools. And a generation from Karusi PTA to be used for lighting at the variety show at Karusi. Uh, do I have a second? Ms. Stern, are there any questions? Seeing none, Ms. Augustine, please open the voting. Ms. Augustine, um… Online voting's open.
Thank you. On, um, item 14.3, I have to recuse myself on the payment to ESS to avoid. Avoid a conflict of interest. Can you repeat that number again? Sure, it's on item 14.3, the bill list, payment to ESS. Effective school solutions. Um, I'm a no on 14.8. And I'm a… no on 14.9 for the private providers in Malberg. I am a yes with the Karusi TCUs.
14.9, that was the second one. Point of order, Ms. Gillifin, can we divide the question that way? Yeah. But I guess I'll be a no, but just for the record, I am okay with the TCUs. Um, Ms. Augustine, I need to recuse myself from. 14.3 bill list 6, specifically the payment to Cooper Health System.
Ms. Augustine? Go ahead. We'll get into a habit with this one. I have to recuse myself from 14.3. In this case, it's the sixth of the list, just any payments to Bayata for a conflict of interest is… Beata's my employer. So any payments to be added. Thank you.
I need to recuse myself to avoid a conflict of interest on 14.3, bill list…. 3 and 6, 3rd and 6th bill lists under, uh, for Jewish Federation. Okay, Ms. Augustine, um, and hopefully I'm the last one, I apologize. Uh, I need to abstain on, uh, item 14.3, Bill List 6, on the payments to Bancroft.
Anyone else? Yeah. I'm good. All right, we have several abstentions and recusals on items 14.6 to. Cooper, 14.3 to Beata, 14.3, item 6 as well, and item 3, Jewish Federation. And, uh, number 2 as well, 114.3. And it looks like… just to clarify, mine was 14.3 as well. I might have said .14.6. It was 14.3 bill lists.
6. Sixth bill list. 14.63. Sixth bill list, just to Cooper. Okay. Thank you. Other than those items, we have a unanimous vote. Madam President, there was a no vote. That was not acknowledged. You had… I thought you needed to….
No, she was… 14.8. 14.8 and 14.9. Trial by fire, so many ethical board members this evening.
Moving on to the HR agenda, Mrs. Surefane, can you please move the HR agenda? Sure, the superintendent recommends, and I move the following 15.1 termination of employment certificated. 15.2 termination of employment non-certificated, 15.3 Appointment Certificated, 15.4. Appointments, non-certificated, 15.5, Leaves of absence, certificated, 15.6, Leaves of absence non-certificated. 15.7 contract renewals, non-affiliated. Certificated and non-certificated staff, 25 to 26 school year.
15.8 contract renewals certificated athletic and co-curricular. 15.9 other compensation certificated, 15.10 other compensation non-certificated. 15.11, approval of job description, 15.12 approval of sidebar agreement, and 15.13 other motions. Do I have a second? This one chairs. Um, any questions or comments? Seeing none, Miss Augustine, can you open the vote?
Voting is opened. I saw Augustine, I'm gonna abstain from 15.11.
I'm closing the vote. Vote is unanimous, other than the abstention for 15.11. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, can you please move the P&L agenda? Indeed. I can. Superintendent recommends that I move the following. I do a 16.1 approval of harassment, intimidation, bullying investigation decisions. Those were the one… those that. The board heard on June 10th. Of this year. Item 16.2, um. Second reading of policies. Uh, again, with no changes from the… from first reading, those are specifically Policy 2363.
Student use of wireless communication devices in 50, 460 high school, graduation. Item 16.3, approval of waiver of Policies 81, 10, and 50, 111.2. Similarly, item 16.4, approval of waiver of Policies 8110 and 511. 0.2, and again, 16.5, approval of. We were palsy's 8110 and 5111.2 all. With respect to Rosa. Do I have a second?
Ms. Surefane, are there any questions? Seeing none, Ms. Augustine, would you kindly open the voting? Voting is open. Ms. Augustine, I need to abstain from 16.1, as I was not present. So I've seen, um, again, I guess I can't separate anything out, so I will be…. A no on 16.2, but for the record, would like to….
Um, show support for our wireless communication device policy. Mr. Fain, you can't… we can do a motion to divide the question if you want to divide the question into two pieces and vote separately. That's a thing we can do. It's up to you whether you want to do that. I don't… it doesn't matter to me. I can just vote no on it. I just want to be sure that everybody's comfortable with the process and what we're doing. I'm totally comfortable. All right. Just wanted to add the…. All about the cell phone policy.
Okay. All right, we have an assumption on 16.1 and a no vote on 16.2. Otherwise, it's unanimous. All right, there are no items under governance to vote on this evening, but they are coming soon. However. Moving to new business. It's governance. Governance committee meeting report out from June 11th. Turn it over to the chair, Ms. Gallagher. Yeah. Um, so, um, Mrs. Chaffain, Dr. Dreizen, and I met on Wednesday, June 11th.
Um, and I feel like we had, like, a packed agenda. So, um…. The first thing we did was we reviewed, um, the list of roles and responsibilities that the governance. Committee set up in May. Um, there were no edits, so I just need to kind of go through, formalize it, and then submit it to the SharePoint for us to just kind of have as, like. What we see as our roles and responsibility as board members. Um, and this can be, like, a fluid document, so, like, as things come and go, we can edit.
Um, we then discussed, um…. Uh, July committee meetings, so we're gonna start, um…. Discussing our board goals. In, uh, committee meetings that are next week. Um, and we're gonna break them up. Similarly to how, um, committees broke up the, um. Strategic plan, uh, planning phases, so…. Priority one will go to CNI. Priority 2 will go to BNF, Priority 3 will go to Special Education, Priority 4 will go to Communications, and Priority 5 will go to HR.
Um, uh…. Scallagher, one point of clarification. I think you mean district goals, then in that case, not board goals. Correct, correct, district goals, thank you. Thank you, Dr. Dreisant. Um…. We're going to discuss, um. Like, a calendar next… well, I don't know what… I guess we might meet, and we can kind of discuss timeline. And so that we can communicate that out for everybody, so we understand, like. When things need to be done, and when the final vote, when we plan to do that.
We will also work on board goals. Um, I know some, uh, committees already kind of have some ideas as to what, um, they might want to tackle for the next school year. No old business. Um, new business, we discussed a board retreat that, um, hopefully we can schedule over the summer. I reached out to NJSBA. Um, for topic ideas and, um…. I will discuss with Mrs. Winters, um, regarding, like, what Dr.
Bandlow discussed with me about retreat and, like, time… timeline and all that stuff, and then, um, we did discuss some future ideas for topics for governance, and hopefully we can kind of revisit that, uh, once we get goals underway. Um, so hopefully at the end of the summer. So, are there any other comments from governance. Members, any comments or questions from other board members? No? Yes. Ms. Stern. Yeah, so, just a quick question. So, over, I think it was Friday.
We had a question that came up, and just… I want to clarify, what's the best way to communicate the question to you? Is it through just an informal, like, message to you, or just through email? However, I mean, I guess a faster response is text message. I can't, like, email might take me…. I mean, I have my phone with me more often than I check my email, so I would say text message would be the fastest way to get a hold. Okay, yeah, because I… I want to make sure that hopefully these things keep flowing, and since, you know, as chair, I want to make sure we go through you, so that you can hopefully provide the answers. Yep.
Anything else? Alright, well, thank you. Do a great job to the governance committee. Any other new business tonight? No new business moving on to old business. Have one piece of old business. Ms. Chovers? I'm gonna turn it over to Mr. Greenbaum for some formal remarks, but before I do, I just want to say. That, on a personal note, how much I respect and admire your integrity and professionalism and your conduct.
Within the meetings and the way that you treat every single person who has a question. Um, you…. I strive to emulate. Your professionalism and composure in everything I do, and you've really been a model for me in leadership, so thank you for showing me the way. Um, we're really gonna miss you. Mr. Greenbaum. Thank you. So, this is…. Mrs. Sugar's last meeting, and I wanted to share a few parting words. It's truly been a pleasure working with you.
Uh, when the district has faced budget challenges, you've made the impossible happen time and time again. Um, you've always done what's right. What's in the best interest of the district and our students, even when it might not be the popular decision. He rose to every challenge with professionalism and with grace, and your reputation precedes you. Among your peers across the state. I'm glad I had the privilege of working with you the past few years, and your impact will endure, and you will definitely be missed.
Thank you for your service to the district and to the students of Cherry Hill, and best of luck in your retirement. Any other board members have any? Old business. Seeing no old business. I will move to second public comment. This is the second public comment section during which you may comment on any topic.
If you would like to speak now, please clearly state your name and municipality. We will alternate between speakers here in the room and those that are online, and each speaker will be given a maximum of 3 minutes to speak. And the timer on the screen will indicate the amount of time you have remaining. Public comment is an opportunity for members of the community to comment on matters relevant to the operations of Cherry Hill Public School District, or within the authority of the Cherry Hill Board of Education. The board welcomes diverse opinions on relevant matters. Under-established federal law governing reasonable restrictions on speech in public forums.
Statements which demean individual community members or groups, or which are irrelevant to the operations of the school district, or repetitious will not be permitted. Community members who would like to present information not relevant to the school district are always welcome to communicate directly to the district superintendent. Board President and all board members via email or other alternative means. Opening up second public comment. There is no one currently in the room, so I am fairly confident we do not have any commenters from there.
Give me one minute to…. All right, we do have a hand raised online. It is a phone number ending in 788. It is your turn. Please unmute, give us your name and municipality. Okay, my name is Jeff Potowitz, I live in Cherry Hill. Wow. Um, this goes back to preschool expansion, meeting 5-27-2025. We are adding 8 classes in Kilmer. 8 classes, we're getting 8 classes at Malburg, that's a total of 16 classes.
Alright, that's two teachers. That's… that's… we have to pay for transportation. That's… I'm sorry, for every one of those classes, it's a teacher and a paraprofessional. Uh, we also have to supply all those classes, new classes, desks, all the other things that you need in the classroom. The state is giving us. Approximately $1 million in aid more than we're getting… than we got in 2025. 2024-2025. It's not gonna come close to paying for those extra 16 classes, plus additional costs.
Not even gonna come close, money is gonna be filtered down there. I don't know how, but it will be. It's the way the state allows for accounting. Um…. And remember, also, our aid will be cut even more for $2.26, 227. Down to around $18 million. We are going to get slaughtered as a community. The state… everyone talks about equity. The state hasn't helped our districts when it comes to equity at all for years. An administration, you gotta do something, and you gotta worry about costs, because we're in trouble. You also have to worry about 20, 25 housing element and fair share plan, where you're going to have an increase, a tremendous increase over the next 10 or 15 years of amount of students we have. One suggestion I made was that you have to lobby the state since.
Since we're an overcrowded community already, since what you… since when it comes to that item, what you have to do is you have to say, those additional. Additional buildings that have to… that will be made will actually add to our equalized valuation. And since that's considered in our… that's considered in our costs, and I'm sorry if I'm making… that's, in fact, going to lower our… the aid we get. Even more, because equalized valuation, if our equalized valuations go up, our A goes down even more. That's going to be a big problem, as our students will increase as a result of that.
You gotta do something about that. You gotta say, listen. We have to add those housing units, but we shouldn't be held responsible. It shouldn't hurt us when it comes to aid. You gotta do something about that, because I'll tell you, in 10 years, 15 years. Well, this district's gonna be in trouble. This community will be in trouble, because the taxes to pay for all this. Are gonna go sky high. We need more aid. From the state. You have to make sure to do something you're not doing enough. And neither is our township. Anyway, thank you very much for listening. Uh, I guess that's it. Hello?
Thank you, Dr. Potowitz. Thank you, Dr. Potowitz. Thank you for your comments. There is no one in the room. The next caller is Laura Ann's iPad. It's your turn. Please unmute and give us your name and municipality. Hi, and I'm Horne Sherryhone, New Jersey. So, I was just curious, I thought that you had a deadline for your strategic plan? Could someone please inform me as to where you are with that? Um, tennis sugars. I am certainly going to miss you. I want to thank you for your candor.
Your presence. Through every godawful budget season. Um, I have admired you greatly for many years. You know that I think you're the best in the state of New Jersey. But what I do wish you is fun. Um, you certainly need some fun after all these years of budget meetings. So, good luck to you in whatever you do. I'd also like to recognize Steve Redfern. Um, I don't know if he remembers, when I first met Steve, he just started the Uvalde for Education.
Um, in order to get monies for our schools. And I've known him that long. I think I hired him, so that does make me very old. Steve, I wish you all the best in your new positions. Um, I thank you and your family for giving so many minutes and hours. To our school district, you were a fine leader. And I certainly appreciated knowing you. Thank you for calling in and for your comments. There is no one in the room, there is no one online with a hand raised. I'm going to close second public comment and turn it over to the superintendent for superintendent comments.
Thank you very much, Ms. Winters. I really don't have, um, any comments other than just to say congratulations to, uh. Ms. Sugars, uh, Ms. Sugars, I've had an opportunity to work with Ms. Sugars. And, uh, different roles, um, and the multiple roles that I've had, uh, within the district. And I can tell. Um, and my time as a principal, she was absolutely incredible. Uh, to come into this district, and, um, truly was remarkable, and literally turning around the situation.
That was challenging. Um…. And as I've moved closer to working more closely with her, you know, I can only echo. What Mr. Greenbaum had to say about the magic. That she's been able to work, um, and, uh, put in together, you know, budget computations and putting together a budget that actually works. During a very, uh, difficult time. Um, as I said, this year, we were definitely much more prepared for the budget shortfalls that we. We're faced with. Because she had the number down to the penny.
Several… probably several weeks, or not more than a month, uh, in advance to win those. Those figures have been released, so, um…. You know, just having a resource or an individual such as that. Truly is an ace in the hole, and truly phenomenal, so I wish you much success. I'm sure you're gonna enjoy little Lincoln, and…. Your family and your extra time, uh, it's absolutely been a pleasure. Thank you. Thank you. I just wanted to respond to the one question we received, the vote on the strategic plan is at the next meeting, which is July 8th.
Stay tuned. And with that, I am going to make a motion to adjourn the meeting. Do I have a second? Ms. Palmer, all in favor? It's unanimous, the meeting is adjourned.