A considerable portion of the meeting was devoted to recognizing the accomplishments of marching bands from Cherry Hill East and Cherry Hill West High Schools. Both bands were celebrated for their successful seasons, with Cherry Hill East’s band securing multiple awards, including four first-place finishes and a medal at the Cavalcade of Bands. Students, including Sonia Abdul Qadr and Mason Ames, were acknowledged for their participation, with certificates distributed to each band member. The Cherry Hill West marching band also received accolades for notable rankings in competitions, achieving second place at Washington Township and first place at Millville High School. Mr. Saggedy, presumably a faculty member, praised the new members of the West band for overcoming challenges and contributing to the band’s achievements. The importance of the arts in education was underscored as faculty and staff were thanked for their support.

Another highlight was the presentation of the “State of the District” overview by Superintendent Kwame Morton, who provided updates on various district initiatives and academic progress. Noteworthy improvements in academic performance were reported, with increases in proficiency rates in English Language Arts and mathematics, particularly a 23% rise in algebra proficiency. This improvement was attributed to targeted interventions and support for students. The district’s new ELA curriculum, CKLA Amplified, aims to enhance literacy skills, and the introduction of new mathematics pathways at the high school level seeks to align students’ learning with future career and college opportunities.

The meeting also addressed the implementation of a new comprehensive curriculum to enhance literacy and mathematics. This included the introduction of the Eureka Squared curriculum, which builds on numerical literacy from kindergarten to algebra one. Clara Barton Elementary, which piloted the St. Math program, showed significant gains in third-grade mathematics scores. The board discussed professional learning for teachers to ensure they are equipped with the latest research and strategies to support student achievement. The introduction of new courses like quantitative reasoning and data science at high schools East and West was commended, and the importance of professional development for teachers was emphasized.

In a discussion on multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), a shift from traditional intervention services was highlighted. This framework aims to provide tiered support for students before they require special education, with tier 1 expected to address 80 to 90% of student needs. Emphasis was placed on collaboration with families to replicate support strategies at home. The board noted the need for additional interventionists at schools lacking these resources, particularly for tier-three interventions, which cater to the most at-risk students. Creative approaches like teacher collaboration for targeted interventions were suggested to address challenges in schools without basic skills teachers.

Preschool expansion efforts were also discussed, with recent funding enabling the launch of a new cohort and plans for future cohorts. The district aims to expand services to reach 90% of eligible pre-kindergarten students within five years, with construction of additional classrooms at Kilmer Elementary and Malberg Early Childhood Center underway. Feedback from parents highlighted positive experiences and smooth transitions into preschool, attributed to the care and individualized attention their children received.

The ongoing renovations in the Cherry Hill School District were mentioned, with only a third of the funding committed so far. Significant repairs, including roofing and HVAC replacements, are part of a multi-year renovation project at Karusi. Future phases involve temporary classroom units and accessibility enhancements at various schools. The introduction of a collaborative management approach, known as the Labor Management Collaborative, was noted as a shift towards inclusive decision-making, aimed at increasing student achievement and improving school climate.

Public comments during the meeting revealed community concerns, including teacher workloads and the potential for burnout, particularly in the science department at Cherry Hill East. The board’s response to these concerns was not detailed, but the comments underscored ongoing challenges related to teacher workloads and student enrollment.