The most notable topic at the meeting was the proposed hiring of LaCoya Weathington as a consultant to manage sensitive investigations related to harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB), as well as affirmative action and special education issues. This proposal met with substantial resistance from community members who voiced their concerns during the public comment period. Critics raised questions about Weathington’s previous long-term association with the district, arguing that it could lead to bias in her investigations. They cited a past federal civil rights investigation against the district, alleging discrimination against a special education student, to underscore their concerns about impartiality.

Jim Neary and other community members emphasized the financial implications of hiring an external consultant amid a budget crisis. They criticized the decision to allocate funds for a consultant when the district had recently eliminated 70 jobs and raised property taxes. The financial strain was a recurring theme, with speakers urging the board to reconsider the consultant’s hiring and instead focus on addressing classroom needs.

Tiffany D’Amico, a parent of neurodivergent children, highlighted the need for investment in training educators on neurodiversity and trauma-informed care, rather than spending on administrative oversight. She recounted her son’s experience of being bullied due to a lack of staff training in addressing neurodivergent-specific bullying, which had resulted in lasting trauma. D’Amico argued that hiring an external consultant felt like a betrayal to the community and called for transparency regarding why existing staff could not handle the HIB consultations.

The community’s concerns were echoed by Laurie Neary, who criticized the timing of the resolution to hire Weathington as “absolutely fascinating,” given the ongoing investigation into the district’s practices. Neary questioned the use of the term “expert” to describe Weathington and accused her of prolonging court cases against parents, ultimately settling them. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the current state of Cherry Hill Public Schools, emphasizing that hiring Weathington would disrespect special education parents who have been advocating for improved outcomes for students.

The board acknowledged the community’s apprehensions by tabling the decision to hire Weathington, with Dr. Kurt Braddock proposing to postpone item 14.10 for later discussion. This motion, seconded by Adam Greenbaum, received a roll call vote that passed.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was chronic absenteeism, which was highlighted by several residents, including Sarah Jocelyn. She emphasized the need for the district’s educational goals to address this issue, noting its correlation with student performance in math. Jocelyn urged the board to integrate chronic absenteeism into the district’s actionable plans based on data analysis and state guidelines. Superintendent Dr. Morton acknowledged the importance of addressing chronic absenteeism and assured the audience that targeted goals for each school would be developed.

The meeting also addressed district goals for the 2026-2027 school year, which were approved ahead of schedule. Dr. Morton emphasized the alignment of strategic plans with actionable objectives to improve district performance. The approval of these goals marked a shift in focus from previous goals, with the onboarding of five new preschool partners.

Residents criticized the lack of transparency and the misinformation circulating about the district’s funding situation, calling for more proactive measures to engage the public.

In addition to community feedback, the meeting featured several significant donations, including contributions from Way Pass Books and Hallie Edelman aimed at purchasing library books for Woodcrest Elementary School. An anonymous donation was made to clear meal balances for eighth-grade students at Beck, Carusi, and Rosa schools. These donations were unanimously approved by the board.

The board also discussed the first reading of the revised cell phone policy and highlighted the need for future discussions on technology policies as part of ongoing committee agendas. Members expressed interest in revisiting goals and engaging in team-building exercises during an upcoming board retreat. The meeting concluded with board members sharing their recent activities, including participation in summer reading events at the local library.