Board of Education to order. Public notice of this meeting pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act has been given by the Board Secretary on June 25th, 2025, in the following manner. 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 in saying 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? Dr. Braddock? Here. Mrs. Surefane, here. Dr. Dreizen? Here. Mrs. Gallagher? Here. Mr. Greenbaum? Here. Mr. Mayor? Here. Ms. Palmer is absent. Ms. Stern? Here. And Mrs. Winters. Here. Thank you. We have, sadly, no board recognition tonight, which is usually my favorite thing. No presentations this evening, but we do have an administrative report. Ms. Augustine is going to provide us with an update on the APRs.
Thank you. I reached out to New Road Construction, who is our construction management company. I attend the weekly Thursday. Meetings for updates on all the projects, and had asked them to provide me with an update on our APRs. Uh, at this point, the goal is still for the 31st of the month. And they are actually having another meeting again tomorrow to confirm that. We are still on target for that. They have been… coordinating with the township to receive all their certificates of occupancy, and some might be a temporary certificate of occupancy, but.
As of right now. Uh, that's the most up-to-date information, so by next week, we should know for sure if we're still on target for all of them to be on the 31st. Yes. Thank you. To any board members have questions about the APRs? Or any other board members walking past the APRs in their neighborhoods and going, I can't wait to see when it's open? I absolutely can't wait. Thank you so much, Ms. Augustine, for that update. It's very exciting. Moving on to correspondence, is there any correspondence that board members would like to share? I will start with Dr. Braddock on that side of the room.
None to report. None. Oh, the library? Dr. Dreising can do that one. None. None. Thank you. I guess they want me to talk about the library. So, um, we've had, for the past few summers, a relationship between the board and the Cherry Hill Public Library, where we go over to the library to promote summer reading. The library has been extremely generous in having the summer reading books available for students. They order new books every year because we have a different theme every year.
They're very helpful to students who come in and are looking for books, but inevitably, every summer around this time, somebody asks. I don't have a copy of the book, where can I get a copy of the book? So every summer, um, the library has collaborated with us in. Promoting on social media and elsewhere. The synergy between the district and the library. So, I went over there last week, joined by Ms. Stern and Dr. Dreisen. We took a couple of silly pictures, there's a social media post up today, hopefully everybody's getting a laugh at our expense and remembering they're supposed to be doing their summer reading.
So, I look forward to continued collaboration with the library in the future. We were talking about its library card sign-ups in September, and then Banned Books Week is coming in October. So if there are any other board members who could be enticed to go over and hang out at the library and talk about books with me, it's something I always love to do, and I think it's really neat for the community resource that is a library to. Have that connection with our students and with the board. Any other correspondence on this side of the table?
Mr. Mayor. No. None. None. Mr. Fain? None. Thankful for a quiet summer, right, everybody? We'll be right back in action in September with all those back-to-school nights. All right, moving on to our student representatives. I think we are going to start with… High School East tonight? Dr. Braddock's giving me a look. I don't know if it's true. I'm gonna go with it, High School East. Starting with academics, a successful common application in Naviance Summer Workshop was held on Wednesday, July 2nd for the Class of 2026, and the second free session will be held at the East Library.
At 2.30pm and 6pm on Tuesday, August 5th. Several East teachers have been hosting summer enrichment classes, which began on Monday, July 14th, and will end on Friday, July 25th. With more than 50 classes being offered to students in grades 6 through 10. Moving on to activities, the first round of senior portraits took place from Monday. July 7th through Thursday, July 10th. And the second round will occur from Monday, August 11th through Thursday, August 14th. From 8.30 a.m. To 2.30 p.m. Rising Seniors Muskan Batra and Ronak Pathik are currently representing East at the prestigious New Jersey Governor's School.
Which is a selected program for students excelling in STEM. Muskon is at Rutgers University for the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology, or RONAC is at Drew University for the Governor's School in the Sciences. Congratulations to Muscana Runak. East will host this year's National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th. From 6pm to 8.30pm. A community-wide event seeks to bring residents together for an evening of fun, featuring games, music, food. Prizes and interactive demonstrations. East 9-time state champion robotics teams have begun meeting preparing to build, no pun intended, on the success from previous years.
And finally, with athletics, East Lacrosse, basketball, cross country, soccer, cheer, football. Field hockey, wrestling, and volleyball teams are back to practicing as they gear up for the season ahead. And overall, we hope all each students are enjoying their summer breaks, completing their summer reading, and ready for the upcoming school year. Thank you. Moving on to High School West. So, summer break has officially begun, and after all the final exams and graduation occurred in the month of June. Depending on what classes they have signed up for in the fall, some students have summer work to complete, and all students are working on their summer reading assignments.
Throughout the summer, WES has been hosting ESY and other academic programming. As for athletics, West Fall Sports Registration opened last month on June 16th. During July, many of West's athletic teams began their summer practices and workout sessions in preparation for the fall athletic season. Additionally, West Home Stadium is currently under construction for upgrades. Due to this, nobody's permitted inside the stadium area until construction is complete. Speaking of construction, the inside of West is getting some upgrades as well.
New flooring is being put throughout all of Dealing. The rest of West is being cleaned and prepared for the upcoming school year. West also held a fireworks show on July 3rd. Which included live music and food trucks for the entire Cherry Hill community. The rainy weather finally cleared, and the show was a success. We hope students are enjoying their break, and will come back to school ready to take on the new year. Thank you so much. All right, moving on to first public comment. There will be two opportunities for public comment this evening. This first public comment session is for board action items only, which tonight are items 17 through 21, and there will be another public comment section for any topic at the end of the meeting.
Give me one second. I'm going to revise that, because that is incorrect. I'm sorry, I'm, like, I'm reading what's on the sheet. We have action items tonight 13. To 18, so I apologize. Action items tonight are 13 through 18. 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 items during this first public comment period, and students will be. Given the opportunity to speak first. If you would like to speak, please identify the agenda item and clearly state your name and your municipality. We will alternate between speakers in the room and those that are online.
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 the Cherry Hill Public School District. Or within the authority of the Charter Hill Board of Education. The board welcomes diverse opinions on relevant matters. Under-established federal law governing reasonable restrictions on speech and 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. As is our custom, I will start in the room. Is there anyone who would like to come up at this point and do first public comment on an agenda item? And I in her Ontario, New Jersey. 16.9, the position of the support specialist, Title I. I… there's no job description, so I don't really know what that entails, and it would be nice to know what it does entail.
How many you're thinking of hiring. Or if it's just a transfer of words from one position to another, am I just a little confused about that? 18.1, um, the section under community engagement. Uh, I noticed that there was, um… really still not an area for people like myself. To be represented in that, um… forgotten what this thing is called, but… Um, and it's really disappointing, okay? Um, you know, you have a big communications committee, um, there's still not a way for someone like myself and others in the community without children within the school community.
To find out what's going on with the schools. I did read through the whole thing. Um, the other thing that really worried me was the timeline for the elementary redistricting. Okay, and who was on that committee? Has it changed, or is this still the same people that I originally. Oprah wrote, because… If it's that list, then I don't find that list representative of the elementary schools that would be most involved. In the process, and that worries me. And your timeline's quite short. Unless there's a lot of work that's being done by this committee that, you know, I personally am not aware of.
So, I have a real worry about that timeline, because this is a very critical move. By the Board of Education and our staff. You know, to do the right thing and to do it well. Um, I don't think 3 months is enough time. Thank you. Thank you for your comment. I'm looking online, we have a caller, phone number ending in 788, it's your turn, please unmute and give us your public comment.
Hi, my name is Jeff Potowitz, and I live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This is 14.7. 14.7. It starts out, whereas the special education department has compiled a list of private providers qualified to perform professional communications consultations and services. So this is going to be accounted for under special education. Alright? We'll start with, it says, met for family, psychiatry, overall psychiatric.
Services. Okay? Um… we're gonna have… it's gonna be $500 for, um, the… an APN advanced practice nurse evaluation, uh, for zero tolerance. If 3 or more. So it's gonna be $500. And that's okay, but, um, you've, you've decided that you didn't have to do. And he… you've decided that you didn't have to do any bidding.
Okay, you don't have to, but it would be nice if you did. But the trouble… the problem with that is, is that what will this be in the… what… I mean, what's the total cost of this gonna be? So I would limit what the total cost is. You could always come back to about $150,000. Um, not carte blanche, but $150,000, which is… should be more than enough. If it's not. You could always add to it. It says the APN will be $500. So, by an APN, um, but then there's something else that confuses me. Again, it's $350 an hour, school district staff consultation. Uh, is this about.
The school district staff, is that the… is that the school district staff? Is that personal for the staff? And it's going to be $350 per purse, per hour, and we're providing that service to the staff. Is it specific to a… to a student that is under their supervision or care. This is not… this doesn't make this clear. It doesn't make it clear. So, the $350 an hour school district staff consultation, uh, has to be clarified, because it could mean exactly what I told you.
Maybe it's consultation. For staff themselves, like, they're going for consultation. The next one, Leah Graynor Kennedy, World Language Professional Development and Curriculum Writing. Well, we have a lot of administrators. You can do your own curriculum writing, I don't know why you need an outsider to do it. That confuses me. Why are you doing this in the first place? Plus the fact, what does it have to do with special education? The auspices of special education. It's not. It's raw language professional development. What do you need? Well, you need someone who's good at… I could see a professor in speech and language professor. You could… specifically about, let's say, DLD, developmental language disorder, or someone who's a reading specialist, about.
Reading, that's about reading. Yes. Thank you, Dr. Bodowicz. Dr. Podowicz, thank you for your comment, we appreciate it. Going back to the room, is there anyone else who would like to make first public comment tonight? Please approach the microphone, give us your name and municipality. Rick Short, Cherry Hill. 14.7, and this has to do with, uh, Leah.
Greener Kennedy. Herself personally. I do question this. Well, I mean, it's kind of atypical for this district to… Again, find the most radical people that they possibly can in America. I did a little research, there's 43,000, I think, consultants that you could have possibly picked. But you pick this consultant that said in a pre-show. We know that some big challenges were teaching languages.
In a face of a pandemic. A climate crisis, systemic racism, violence, bigotry. And… completely divided nation. So these, these are her words, these are her thoughts. And again. I would encourage you to vote no for this person. Why do we need more radical consultants in our district. Influencing our kids for the same old, same old. Oh, all our students are being taught to be oppressed. Yes!
They're being taught to be oppressed! When they face a climate crisis, systemic racism, violence, bigotry. And a completely divided nation. So this woman that's gonna be working with our district. Fits right in with the motto. The most radical school district in New Jersey. So. When does it ever stop? When do we ever… get back to the three R's.
Because you constantly, this board. Constantly defends. These radical people. I mean, it sounds radical to me, what you just said. Um, you know, systemic racism is out of control, and… There's violence and bigotry everywhere? Like, how did you find this woman? It's, it's… it's mind-boggling! Again, over 43,000 different consultants. And you have to bring this woman in to help write the curriculum.
For language! And you're defending them. And you're all gonna vote yes, aren't you? I hope you don't. I hope you vote no! Take a stand once! Is everything really systemic racism? In this town, in this… or does these administrators constantly feed us that we're all systemically racist?
Pretty cut and dry, folks. Vote no, please. Thank you for your comment. Going back to the line, I don't see anyone with a hand raised online going back to the room. Is there anyone else who would like to make first public comment this evening? Please approach the microphone, give us your name and municipality. Dr. Yoniarris of Cherry Hill. Uh, we're gonna start with, uh. 16.3. Uh, just wanted to say thank you to Dr. Morton, um, for everything he's done, especially to the person in the back, Dr. Rick, who held the Kilmer community together.
This past few months, I am so excited to have Mr. Sweeney come back to Cherry Hill and come home. Um, especially to come to Kilmer, his experience at Barton, like, you could not make a better match. Other than that, just so thank you. Um, we're really excited. Obviously, what happens, we know everything at the Department, and it's only going to be better, because more experience means we get the better side. Of things. Also, when I look at 16.5, uh, Mr. Odonna, I got to know each other through things I've done in this district. She is fantastic. What she's done at the alternative school and Kohl's. Is just incredible. If you've not gone over a chance to visit it and see what she's done, please do so, especially before she heads over to Johnson.
She's gonna be incredible. What's amazing now is that we have had teachers for years, and people complain, there was no pipeline. The pipeline has returned. Um, a lot of that deals with Dr. Martin coming in and saying that we've got amazing staff, but we want to retain them. Um, and that makes a really big difference in the culture, because when you're in Cherry Hill, someone like me who's been here far too long. Um, that… having that revision, having that face where you started in the classroom, you see them now moving gradually, it means for continuation. It gives you instant memory, but also. They come with new perspectives. People are like, oh, dude, the outside. I'm like, no, we don't. We've got people who understand, who are constantly going through PD, that I can tell you, as an educator, we are constantly being forced to learn new things.
And that we're not gonna get stale. And the people we attract to Cherry Hill aren't stale, because they know Cherry Hill isn't a stale district. Now, we're always looking to innovate, we're always looking for new things, and we've created, especially through the LMC, a culture of. Collaboration far more than anywhere else. That brings everyone together, and enables us to bring back a Mr. Sweeney, allow someone like Monsieur Dana to now take her magic. I grew from the alternative school into. Johnson, we're going to see that there is her expertise, especially with students who are. Worry of going to school, there is a massive attendance crisis. And it even starts in elementary school, which is scary. And to have that come through, and be able to bring that forward is huge. So thank you. Uh, we're really excited. Um, it's always the best part when you get to hire new people.
So thanks. Thank you for your comment. Looking online, I don't see anyone with a hand raised. Going back into the room, is there anyone else who would like to make public comment? I see a future student coming up to make public comment. Uh, Alani Aris Cherry Hill, I think it's 16.3, uh… This one is very excited that in 5 years, his principal will. Be the same principle that my older kids have. So, Mr. Sweeney, please stay a long time.
That's it. Thank you. Thank you for your comment. There's no one else with a hand raised online going back to the room. Is there anyone else who would like to… come up for first public comment. I don't see anyone in the room, I don't see anyone online, and I'm going to close First Public Comment. And now we have Superintendent comments. Thank you very much, Ms. Winters. Uh, so the summer is moving right along. This summer has been going great. Summer programs are in full effect. Uh, most importantly, if you've had an opportunity to drive around town, you'll see that there is massive construction taking place.
Just about at every school, um, across the district. I'm happy to report that that construction is moving right along. Um, it's moving along beautifully, quite frankly, and we're excited to see the fruition of, you know, all of the investment. From our community, as these projects, um. Come on board and come alive. Um… Summer construction is still a responsibility for summer cleaning, and to, you know, ultimately get our buildings. Up to speed and ready for the return of students, ultimately, in September. Uh, so that work is taking place, so kudos to, uh, Steve Nicola and his team.
Members of buildings and grounds and, uh, those, uh, within the buildings as well. I'd like to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Schm. Our BA? You may not have recognized him without his… Certain time, but he, uh, spent the day here with us today, and he's eagerly anticipating his start date on. August 25th? Welcome, sir. Welcome, welcome to you. Uh, just to clarify the record, uh, Ms. Granite Kennedy, uh, is not involved with special education. She's actually worked and supported our World Language Program for many years, helping to, uh.
Revise and write curriculum. She will be doing the same. She's done a great job, and we're looking forward to her. Coming in and working with our staff. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to the action agenda portion of the meeting, I'm going to toss it to Mr. Mayor. To move the approval of appointments. Um, certainly the superintendent recommends, and I move the following item, 13.1. The recommendation of the appointment of George Guy as director, who is the current director of elementary education.
Also be appointed Affirmative action officer. For the board. Are there. Do I have a second? Mr. Greenbaum. Are there any questions? Okay. Oh, we're not taking… we're not taking the vote right now. Are we… we are checking both? And in that case. Ms. Augustine. Would you be so kind as to open the voting? Voting is open.
Voting is unanimous. Motion carries. Thank you. Moving on to CNI, Superintendent recommends and I move the following. 14.1, approval of attendance at conferences and workshops for the 25-26 school year. 14.2, approval of out-of-district student placement for the 25-26 school year. 14.3, approval of professional service agreements for the 25-26 school year, 14.4, resolution to approve research study. 14.5, resolution to approve research study, and 14.6, approval of evaluation models for the 25-26 school year. Do I have a second?
Dr. Braddock, are there any questions on the CNI agenda this evening? Seeing no questions, Ms. Augustine, please open the vote. Building is open.
Voting is unanimous. Motion carries. Thank you. Mr. Greenbaum, can you please move the BNF agenda? Thank you. The superintendent recommends, and I move the following. 15.1, approval of minutes, board working session, special action meeting minutes, and executive session minutes, dated June 10th, 2025. 15.2. Approval of minutes, regular meeting minutes, and executive session minutes dated June 24th, 2025. 15.3, financial reports, 15.4, resolution for the award of transportation. 15.5. Resolution authorizing submission of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant.
15.6, approval of IDEA. Idea fiscal year 25-26 budgets, 15.7. Resolution authorizing the disposal of obsolete textbooks, and 15.8 resolution approving national cooperative Award of contract. Do I have a second? Mr. Chaffain, are there any questions? Seeing none, Ms. Augustine, please open the voting. Voting is open?
Augustine on 15.3, I just have to recuse myself from the second bill list. I recuse myself from anything with Beata. It's employer, thank you. So, obviously, and I'm also recusing myself from anything related to Cooper and Billis 2 in 15.3. Ms. Augustine, similarly, I have to recuse myself from the payment invoice to ESS. To avoid a conflict of interest.
Okay. With the exception of the recusals for Beata on. Bill list number 2 by Dr. Dreisen. And this is Cherfane for payments to Cooper. And a recusal for payments. To ESS by Mr. Mayor. We have a unanimous vote, and motion carries. Thank you. Mr. Fing, can you please move the HR agenda? Sure. The superintendent recommends, and I move the following 16.1 termination of employment.
Certificated 16.2, termination of employment, non-certificated. 16.3 appointments certificated, 16.4 appointments non-certificated. 15… or 16.5 assignment salary change certificated, 16.6 assignment salary change non-certificated. 16.7 leaves of absence certificated, 16.8 leaves of abstinence, non-certificated, 16.9 approval of job description. 16.10, other compensation certificated, 16.11, other compensation non-certificated, and 16.12. Approval of sidebar agreement. Do I have a second?
Miss Winters. Um, any questions, comments? Ms. Stern? Uh, just a couple of comments, um… I know we haven't voted yet, but I'm… Believing that we are welcoming, um, Mr. Sweeney back to Cherry Hills. Nice to see you again. Um, want to congratulate Mrs. Giordano and Ms. Wong. And, um, and thank you to Dr. Rick so very much for always stepping in. So just congratulations, it's nice to see, um. Nice to see homegrown folks, um.
Staying within the district, keeping it fresh and interesting, and changing it up, and returning. Lovely. Lovely to have such talent. Any other comments, questions? Ms. Gallagher? Actually, yeah, now, um, you know, a comment was made during first public comment about the job description for the support specialist new, is that it's not linked under the. Um, all the, all the job descriptions that are linked are SAC-related. Is there a way that. That job title can be provided.
Somebody that knows the answer to that question, that would be Ms. Lieber. Okay, great, thanks. Dr. Morgan? Yes, absolutely. Yeah, we apologize for the omission. It was… the position itself was discussed during the HR committee meeting.
Uh, but we'll make sure that we get that posted out and sent out to everyone. Any other comments, questions? All right, Ms. Augustine, can you open the voting? Voting is open.
Voting is unanimous. Motion carries. Absolutely, and with that. The board just approved the appointment of three key administrative positions. I wanted to, uh, have a chance to formally introduce them and give them an opportunity to share a few words. We'll begin with Ms. Wendy Wong. Ms. Wong has been with us in Cherry Hill Public Schools for… you can come up to the microphone, I'm just giving you time.
Been with us for over two decades, uh, having had the opportunity to service at both the elementary and middle level. Um, she is an expert educator, extremely dedicated. If you've been part of any of the work that's taken place, committee meetings, curricular work, she's typically been a part of it. And we're very excited for her to, uh, to join our team here as a… New CNI supervisor specializing in secondary math and science. Ms. Swann. Good evening, everyone. I'm very excited for this great role, and I hope to continue the great work my predecessors started. So thank you for the opportunity.
Next up, I'm extremely overjoyed to introduce Mr. Well, re… there's no real introduction needed from Mr. Sean Sweeney, uh, as the incoming principal for, uh, Joyce Kilmer Elementary School. A place that is near and dear to my heart, uh, and, you know, when we think about Kenwood, we want to make sure we. Provide them with the best and the brightest, and we believe that Mr. Sweeney is just that, um, Mr. Sweeney. Thank you, Dr. Morton, and thanks to the administrative team and the board members here tonight.
Um, for giving me the opportunity to return. Um, you know, I was… here in Cherry Hill for nearly, like, 10 years, and… reflecting on things, they've been the most rewarding years of my professional career thus far, and I look forward to building on them. Um, having the opportunity to lead the Kilmer community, students, staff, and families is just, uh, very exciting. So thank you again. Awesome, so I know you're going to be around for a while, because you're gonna have to wait for that little one right there, or that cutie pie, to grow up.
And thank you so much to Dr. Rick, my buddy as well. We definitely appreciate your efforts and, you know, all that you've done at Kilmer. Been amazing. And last but not least. A person who really needs no introduction, Ms. Lauren Giordano. Mrs. Giordano has truly been a breath of fresh air, bolts of inspiration and lightning. Uh, she's done a phenomenal job over at the Kohl's program, truly, like, transforming that program. And making it into the special program that it is today. Um, definitely a loss for the Coles community, but a major game for the, uh, Johnson community.
Um, she's a Cherry Hill Lifer, I don't know what else needs to be said. Lauren Giannotta. I'm just gonna go on my dippy toes. It's always an issue for me, when I'm here? But uh, yeah, I just wanted to say thank you so much to everybody here, and the Kohl's community, the students, the parents, and the staff. Um, they were very invested in my success and pushed me to be better every day that I was there. Wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for them. Um, and I'm incredibly humbled and grateful at the opportunity to serve in a different capacity, and I really look forward to joining the Johnson community.
Thank you. All joy, I love it. Mr. Mayor, can you please move the P&L agenda? I can, the superintendent recommends, and I move the following item, 17.1, approval of harassment, Intimidation, bullying, investigation decisions. Those were those that the Board heard on July the 8th. 17.2 first reading of policy 5111, um, resident and non… resident, students.
And 17.3's second reading of policies 8110. Attendance areas. 8450 for management of. Particulosis, otherwise known as lice. All three of the policies on for this evening are without any. Adjustment, uh, or language change from. Uh, when they were… when they were first… Placed before the board. Do I have a second? Mrs. Stark? Are there any questions? Seeing none, Ms. Augustine, would you please open the voting? Voting is open.
Ms. Augustine, I need to abstain from 17.1, as I was not present. Ms. Augustine, I'm no on 17.2.
We have one, though, for 17. 0.2, and one abstention for 17.1. Other than that, the motion carries. Thank you. The superintendent recommends, and I move the following, 18.1, approval of strategic plan. Do I have a second? Dr. Braddock, are there any questions? Mississaugustine, please open the vote.
Voting is open.
We have 3 no's, but the motion carries. Thank you. Moving on to new business. Are there any board members with new business this evening? I think we have a couple. Alright, kind of new old business. Um, I would like to just… bring up the fact that we are now officially. Starting restarting the redistricting process, elementary school redistricting. The committee will be Dr. Braddock, Mr. Mayor, and myself, myself being chair of the committee.
Um, so we hopefully will have more information in the upcoming meetings about where we are with that, and we'll be as, um, inclusive and transparent as possible with everything that's going to be going on with, uh, redistricting. Thank you, Mr. Fain, and thank you for taking on the chairpersonship of Elementary Districting. We appreciate it. Dr. Dreisen? Sure, uh, two. Um, first, a public service announcement. And this is from the Camden County website. To run as a candidate for the Board of Education in the November general election, your petition must be filed with the county clerk's office before 4 p.m.
On or before the last Monday of July, preceding the November school election. And so that means for the upcoming November 2025 election, the deadline would be this upcoming Monday, July 28th. So if you're interested in joining the party. And then, um… Second, if I may, just a brief other new business item. Um, so… I just want to put my perspective on the record. At the recent NEA 2025 Representative Assembly in Portland, Oregon. A recommendation was sent to the executive committee that NEA not partner with the Anti-Defamation League, or the ADL.
As many of us know, for years, the ADL has provided educational resources about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust in American schools. Following the culmination of a review process, NEA's Board of Directors voted not to implement this proposal. Noting that the proposal would not further NEA's commitment to academic freedom, its membership, or its goals. I just want to publicly echo a joint statement that was made from the Jewish community leaders, including the ADL CEO, the American Jewish Community, AJC CEO, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Coo and the Jewish Federations of North American Executive Vice President, in that I welcome the NEA Executive Committee and Board of Directors' decision. To, and I quote, reject this misguided resolution that was rooted in exclusion and othering, and promoted for political reasons. As noted in the joint statement, and I quote, this resolution was not just an attack on the ADL, but a larger attack against Jewish educators, students, and families. I want to publicly thank the nearly 400 Jewish and community organizations and dozens of elected officials. Around the country, including here in Cherry Hill, who made clear their concerns about this dangerous and anti-Semitic resolution.
As NEA President Becky Pringle said in a statement, and I quote, there is no doubt that anti-Semitism is on the rise. Sheila Kotz, National Council of Jewish Women, CEO, said, and I quote, Jewish students and teachers are walking into schools. Each day with a growing sense of fear. Fear of being targeted, harassed, or silenced simply for being Jewish. Schools should be places of safety and belonging, not places where anyone feels unwelcome or unsafe. Fortunately, NEA President Betsy Pringle affirmed, and I quote, without equivocation, NEA stands strongly against anti-Semitism.
We always have, and we always will. Our Jewish students and educators deserve nothing less. Like the joint statement from Jewish community leaders, I am personally committed to working with the NEA and all teachers' unions. In whatever capacity I can, quote, in making clear these hateful campaigns cannot succeed. We must redouble efforts to ensure that Jewish educators are not isolated and subjected to anti-Semitism. In their unions, and that students are not subjected to it in the classroom. Thank you. Thank you.
Any other board members in new business? Ms. Gallagher. Um, I will make this quick. Um, so on Monday, July 7th, the Governance Committee met at 5 p.m. In the conference room. And, um, the only topic we discussed was the, uh, um… Superintendent evaluation. Bless you. And, um… And how best to interpret, uh, best practices, and making sure that all board members' comments were reflected in the final report that we all discussed, and then that was submitted.
Um, do any of the other committee members have any comments? Does anybody else have any comments or questions? Alright, thank you. Thanks. The preschool committee, small but mighty, also met. Um, we met on July 15th. We discussed goals around preschool, we discussed the preparation for the upcoming. Before we know it, 25, 26 academic year. With the opening of the, um… Our classrooms, both in-district and private rider sites, and then the 16 additional classrooms that will open in January.
From the Rod Grant additions. We discuss the success of Right at School, which has been providing before and after care at Malberg. I think everybody, um, from that. Building has been very happy with that program, and that they will be providing care for the additional Malberg and Kilmer classes beginning in January. As well. And one thing I did want to bring up, which was really neat, is there is going to be a Cherry Hill Preschool Roundup on Monday, August 11th, at Jake's Place for preschool families. To come. It is… An awesome group of community organizations who will be supporting, including Cherry Hill Police and Fire, Goldfish Swim School, Lakeshore Learning, the Library, Food Trust, Book Smiles.
And the bus company, and there will be a bus for the preschoolers to explore. I am super excited. I will be there walking around. If any other board members wish to join me and come celebrate. Preschool with the preschool families, it's going to be a really neat event, so, um… to get us started for this year. Oh, and everybody gets a free book from Book Smiles, so what's better than a free book? So that was pretty neat. We also talked about preschool expansion opportunities. For the 26-27 year and beyond, and several opportunities in the community to continue to expand our preschool program.
So, everybody stay tuned. Um, we will submit our plan for expansion in October to the state. And we'll have more information coming soon. Mr. Mayor is the only other preschool committee member, do you have anything to add? Just that you did a wonderful job in relating. The discussions that we had in the committee meeting. Well done. Thank you. Look at that. I glow with praise. Any other questions from board members about the preschool committee? No, I'm just really excited to see preschool continue to expand and move forward, and the Mahlberg Early Childhood Building is in my.
Neighborhood, and every time I walk by it, I'm so excited to see all the progress that's being made in the construction. It's really amazing to watch. Um, I think… does anybody else have new business? Moving on to old business, does anybody have any old business? Dr. Dryzen. Um, yes, for all business, just items 20.2. In our July 8th Board of Education meeting, the Comprehensive Equity Plan, I just wanted to have an opportunity… I wanted… I had an opportunity to review it, and I just wanted to go on record as being supportive of it. Um, I just wanted to reiterate that my abstention in the last meeting concerned proper governance. It had nothing to do with the Comprehensive Equity Plan.
Submission of the plan was past its due date, so tabling the vote until all board members had time to review it would not have had any impact. We as a board have talked about holding each other accountable, and so moving forwards, my hope is that board members who voted against tabling it. To allow time for review, we'll choose to prioritize proper governance in the future. Thank you for your comment. Any other board members have any old business? All right, moving on to second public comment. This is the second public comment section for any topic.
If you would like to speak now, please identify the agenda item and clearly state your name and municipality. We will alternate between speakers 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. Give me one second. 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 Cherry Hill Board of Education. The board welcomes diverse opinions on relevant matters. Under established federal law governing reasonable restrictions on speech and public forums, statements which demean individual community members or groups, or which are irrelevant to the operations of the school district.
A 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. By custom, we start in the room. Is there anyone who would like to kick us off for the second public comment period? Committee members being kind to each other. I wouldn't even say anything, and I learned Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
So I want to go back to your, um… 5-year plan. There's a section, I can't remember, but I think it was your promoting community forums. What's the definition of an ambassador? You know, I don't know what that means. Um, and the other thing is, under retention, recruitment and retention. My question is, are we doing exit interviews? We had some significant people, in my opinion. Leaving this year, so do we find out… why they're leaving, because as you move forward, then you need to know some of the nuances of.
Maybe it's a negative situation for them, or, you know, I know there's always opportunities to. Move forward in one's life, but. The one person was only here, I think, maybe 2 years, and that was really disappointing, because I felt. From public comment, um, that they were doing an excellent job, and it's kind of disturbing to me that we'd lose somebody so quickly. Um, but I'd really like to know about this ambassador thing. What does that mean? Okay? Because earlier in the year, um, going back to this… I guess I'm going to say the elementary redistricting committee, which is what was called initially.
You know, there were all these people on there that were going to disseminate information to the community. But I don't know who those people are, and I don't know where they're disseminating community information. What troubles me about that, it's always one thing to have a conversation. But then, to be able to remember every nuance of that conversation, and what the concerns may be, and what the solutions may be, does not necessarily get. To that same initial conversation information. And for me, that's… that can be a problem, particularly in Cherry Hill, because you know that.
Some are very, very involved. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Looking online, I see a phone number ending in 788, it's your turn. If you could unmute and give us your public comment. My name is Jeff Podowitz. I live in Cherry Hill, starting with going back to what is now 14.3, about the World Language Professional Development and Curriculum. Again, what concerns me is that it's under… that it's considered for accounting purposes, under special education, and it is no way.
Is. That means that if she is working at all on preschool curriculum, that means that will not be counted under course. For preschool expansion. Her salary should be, if she, in fact, is doing that. I am con… and all… but anyway, you look, it's gonna look like it's… that you're spending more money on special education, which, in fact, you are not. So I am concerned about it, and that's for preschool expansion, I've been following this since about 20 years, since the beginning of.
I ran the numbers in my mind, then I know we're not getting enough dollars per pupil from the state right now, and moving forward with the amount of kids we'll be adding, it has the capacity to sink this community and sink the education. Much, much too much. Much, much too much actual costs, alright? There's an article to read from The Long Wait for Full Funding Undertapped Aid from New Jersey Education Aid. It's from October of 2016. In it, there's a reference to the Cherry Hill School District. Two law… two… Let's look at two badly underrated, but above adequacy suburbs, Cherry Hill and West Orange, for 2016-2017, Cherry Hill will get $13.1 million in state aid. But it's uncapped aid. Well, we should have gotten was 39.9 million. That's over… that's…
Well over a $35 million difference. Note, for 2026-2027, we're supposed to be getting $18 million. How can we pay for anything? Okay, what makes it worse is that back then, our local fair share, we were over our local fair share for third… by 30%. $4 million. We were getting cheated back then, we're getting cheated even worse. Now, maybe not this year, but for that 2026-2027, we are really being cheated down to $18 million in aid. Where the heck are we gonna pay for this? Where?
All right? It's not special… that preschool expansion per pupil costs a lot more than we're getting. People need to consider it. I don't care what the… how the state's telling you to do accounting. It is going to hurt this community and this district, especially when you ramp up to 1,800 to 2,000 students. Alright? And I believe the state is… the way the state is after you do accounting and hiding the car. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Pradoz, for your comments tonight. Thank you. Going back to the room… I see a young student coming to the microphone, and his wonderful mother.
Alana Yaris Cherry Hill, Chair of the Fair Funding Committee, a subcommittee of the Zone PTA. Um, I invite the board, but also the public, especially Dr. Potowicz, who calls in all the time, to talk about funding for. The Cherry Hill Public Schools to attend fair funding meetings. They're online, they're on Zoom. If you can't see, I'm holding a baby. He's usually in attendance, doesn't make any noise there either. Um, so… really, email fair funding, chhps at gmail.com. We will start.
In September with meetings again. And in a township that has 70,000 people living in it, I'd like more than 10 people on. We have new and interesting ways to be heard at the state level for the upcoming year. We're working on that behind the scenes during the summer, but please email fairfundingchps at gmail.com and join the Fair Funding Committee. Thank you. Thank you for your comment. Going back online, there's a phone number ending in 891. It's your turn, please unmute and give us your name and municipality.
That person has put their hand down, so I'm gonna move to the next person online, which is Dr. Sarah Jocelyn. It's your turn, you can unmute and give us your name and municipality. Hi, this is Sarah Jocelyn. I am a Cherry Hill resident. I, uh, want to congratulate Mr. Guy on being appointed as the Affirmative Action Officer. Um, I look forward to the outcome from the review by the Camden County, um.
Executive of our Comprehensive equity plan. And I look forward also to a public presentation of the equity plan. Um, at a future meeting. Or at least having it present on the website so it can be reviewed. I thank the, uh, board. For, uh, moving forward. On the strategic plan, and I look forward to seeing the minutes so I can understand who voted no.
Um, I thank you all for the work that you're doing. I'm glad to see that we are getting organized for. Uh, the, um… district, uh, elementary school reorganization plan. And I thank you all for the actions that you're taking in the summer to be prepared for our fall sessions. Welcome to our new people, and thank you for those that have served.
Thank you for your comment. Going back to the room, is there anyone else who would like to make second public comment this evening? Please approach the microphone now. Richard Cherry Hill? Um… I've been coming to these meetings, uh… trying to figure out maybe 10 years? And anytime I hear something that's like. Monumental.
I always record it and keep it. I just kind of always remember in my head what. What I remember. So there's one board meeting. When Joel Mayer. I was talking about anti-centimism. And how he understands it. And how he's pressing… you can give me an exact quote, he's prosecuted. Neo-nazis… But this board… allows radical.
Consultants that hate America. Hey, cops! And you defend them. You keep them among us. Right? I've sent you the video of the… Of the, uh, abolitionist Teaching Network. And their beliefs! They're… they're crazy! You know, it's like, you know, these are our consultants, these are the people we surround ourselves with. Dr. Braddock, no, I won't forget that either. Dr. Braddock says he can identify radical.
Any radical people. But how can Dr. Braddock not identify. Dr. Love. Dr. Kinday. Dr. Greeson, Dr. Muhammad. Now, tonight's speech… I hope I get your last name right, Doctor. Dr. Drazen. Darn. Okay. What's probably one of the… Top 3 speeches I've ever heard in this district.
So the question, Madam President, is, are you going to also. Condone the NEA's actions. Are we gonna distance ourselves from anti-Seminism, or are we gonna follow these radical. Crazy union people! Is anyone on this board. Going to stop the hate. Or… are we just gonna keep working with the same consultants. That bring the same hate. Bring the same division, our famous Dr. Kinde quote is.
You know, uh, to stop capitalism is so important. I mean, these are not the things we want to be teaching our kids. That capitalism is bad. These are the things that the Morton administration brings… brought us. The quote from the Philadelphia Inquirer, from Dr. Mahan, about how there's systemic racism in our schools, and that we must. Must, must work to, to rid it. It's all a lie. It is a complete short. Yes. Please refrain from defaming members of the staff. No, no, I didn't defame, I just said.
It… my opinion is… It is not correct. Thank you. Thank you for your comment. Is there anyone else who would like to make a public comment tonight? Please approach the microphone. Max Kukovka, Cherry Hill, speaking exclusively of my own personal opinions, despite my role as one of the new representatives from Cherry Hill East. I hope you are all doing well tonight. I have a comment, very small, regarding Policy 143.2, which governs the student representatives to the board.
All of us new representatives were recently made aware as we began our tenure that there is a caveat in the policy that prohibits both representatives from the same school sitting at the table during the same meeting. At the same time. We were advised to alternate every meeting, who would be sitting. Which, so far, has worked, but we all feel that it is far from ideal. I believe that I speak for all four of us when I say that allowing both representatives to sit at the table at the same time. Would help our ability to represent the student body, as well as foster collaboration with each other. Personally, I can see no downside in this change, and I respectfully ask Mr. Mayor and other members of the P&L Committee.
To consider this as they review the student representative policies in the coming weeks. Uh, thank you all, have a good night. Thank you for your comment, we appreciate it. Looking back online… I don't see any hands raised. Going back to the room. Is there anyone else in the room who would like to make public comment? As you approach the meg, I just want to remind any students online or in the room that you can always speak first, if you would like to, although you don't have to. I just want to throw that out there, that you don't need to wait till the end of the meeting to speak. Go ahead, Dr. Yaris. Dr. Yaris, uh, Cherry Hill. Uh, first off, I want to acknowledge this as Carol's winding down her time in the district.
Ms. Roscoff, you've been here forever, it feels like you're gonna be giant shoes to fill. I know Wes are still trying to fill your absence there. Um, so thank you. I know you're not going far, and you're not gonna disappear on us, but thank you for all your dedication, all your time, everything you've given to our students over these years. I know my children will benefit for a long time. As they head off to West and everything else that you've done, so thank you. Um, quickly, the NEA, that's the case none of the board members had a chance to catch up on it. On Friday, the NENA Executive Committee voted it down, did not embrace what the. The rest of the teachers are done, thankfully. There was a lot of great effort from our community and elsewhere saying that this is a really terrible idea.
And thankfully, they all agreed that it was a really terrible idea. Um, getting back to more local news, um, if you haven't had a chance to visit East right now over the last two weeks for the Summer Richard Program, which I think is now Year 3. One of the most incredible things to come out of pandemic money is this program. I saw as part of the first one, it's now gone back every year, looks forward to it. It's really fun, you get the educators who are great in the classroom teaching their chosen subjects. But it's really fun when they get to see it's your passion. And for these two weeks, our teachers are teaching their passion. They're getting teachers from all across the district. You've got teachers from Rosa, East, Carusi, Beck. I think the elementary schools are all there, and it's just a really great opportunity.
Uh, my kids are gonna kick out of the fact for having teachers who I had. Are now coming up, I'm getting into… I'd like you're just feeling old. I was just really grateful that they continue to use us, Mr. Answert and Mr. Falat have done a wonderful job staring at this year, uh, since Mr. Davis moves up into administration. He did it the last two years. And as you walk in, and you see the warmth. Kids are excited to be there. Even being in a school in the middle of summer, it's just, you see so much level of excitement that. I hope that we continue to fund this program. It's been awesome, it'd be great to further expand it, because. We've got really great educators who have really fun passions to get to expand it out, so please try to visit the next two days before it wraps up. Thanks!
Thank you for your comment. Is there anyone else in the room who would like to make second public comment this evening? Seeing no takers in the room, I'm looking online, and seeing no-takers online, I am going to close. Second public comment. Moving on to Superintendent's comments. Thank you, Ms. Winters. Just a quick, quick comment. Um, this comment this evening about. And it's a frequently comment about consultants that the district is working with, consultants that.
Um, that myself have promoted, um… Not true. Information is not true. I suggest that either provide evidence. To speak to the truthfulness of those statements that are being made, or please refrain from making those statements. Um, if you… Mr. Short, if you want to engage in a conversation with me about. What we are doing as a district, who we are working with. I'm open to having that conversation. You know, I've called you in the past. Um, let me know if you want to have a real conversation, and we can definitely do that.
Uh, congratulations again to those who have been appointed this evening. I think there was one question this evening about whether we conduct exit interviews, and yes, the district does conduct exit interviews upon. The resignation or the leading of employees. Other than that, I'll say have a great evening, everyone. Thank you so much. I'll make a motion to adjourn. Do I have a second? Ms. Cherfain, all board members in favor? The meeting