The meeting also focused on the introduction of new curriculum standards, particularly in elementary foundational skills in data science and statistics. The board discussed the implementation of these standards, which will lead into high school courses. The new elementary standards will emphasize understanding over speed in math and will incorporate visual fraction models from grades 3 to 5. A transition from the Eureka Math program to Eureka Math Squared is planned for the fall, following a pilot program at Barton and Mann schools. Professional development for teachers to adapt to these changes and increased parent engagement were identified as key components for a successful transition.

Among the concerns voiced by community members and students was the proposed transfer of a Cherry Hill High School West choir teacher to an elementary teaching position. Students and parents highlighted the importance of the choir program and its impact on the school community, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. They questioned the accuracy of enrollment numbers that informed the decision and stressed the potential negative consequences on the quality of the choir program. Students also presented logistical challenges, such as scheduling conflicts that would arise from the transfer, and emphasized the teacher’s role in guiding the music program to success in competitions.

The board’s discussions also included the impact of COVID on vocal music enrollment numbers at High School West and High School East. The superintendent acknowledged the concerns about the challenges and logistical issues of the program, with projections for the next year indicating only enough sections to constitute one teacher.

Additionally, the meeting tackled the review of federal monitoring and the development of a corrective action plan. The district underwent a federal review process to evaluate the spending of federal and state funds, which revealed the need for new procedures to ensure compliance with federal procurement requirements. The board reviewed the financial status of bond referendum projects, noting that most projects were under budget or within allowances. Discussions about creating a dashboard for visually tracking the progress of bond projects were aimed at enhancing community understanding and engagement.

Significant construction progress at various schools was reported, with improvements at East Stadium and visible developments in the construction of new APRs at multiple schools. Non-bond related construction projects, such as the early childhood plans for preschool expansion and the replacement of HVAC systems, were also discussed.

Human resources were a substantial part of the meeting, with the introduction of two new job descriptions: supervisor of special projects and director of curriculum. The rationale for these positions centered on district efficiency, productivity, and community engagement, particularly in career exploration and readiness.

Other topics included the need for consistency in curriculum implementation across the district, calendar revisions, and the development of a cell phone policy. The board considered input from staff, teachers, parents, and students on the impact of cell phones on learning and aimed to develop a consistent policy across all grade levels.