A standout moment was the presentation by Faith Holmgren, District Testing Coordinator, on the Spring 2025 New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) results. The report detailed impressive district achievements, notably in English Language Arts (ELA) where 90.3% of grade 11 students were deemed graduation ready, surpassing the state average of 80.7%. In mathematics, the district also exceeded state averages with 69.4% of students ready for graduation compared to the state’s 58%.

Holmgren’s presentation offered insights into the performance of Cherry Hill’s high schools. East High School showed a slight decrease in ELA readiness at 92.3%, while West High School saw a small decline to 87%. However, both schools noted improvements in mathematics, with East achieving 77.9% readiness, and West improving from 50.3% to 55.1%. The presentation also highlighted subgroup performance, including a notable 10% increase in ELA readiness among Hispanic Latino students and an 8% increase in math readiness among students identifying as two or more races. The analysis extended to students with disabilities, English language learners, and economically disadvantaged students, showing positive trends across these groups.

Board members engaged in a discussion post-presentation. A board member expressed concerns about the performance of multilingual learners in ELA, noticing a drop in scores, and requested further data. Another member emphasized the need for curriculum alignment, questioning the timing of Algebra 1 and Geometry courses. Suggestions for improvement included focusing on students who narrowly missed the proficiency cut score in mathematics to enhance overall performance.

Another topic of the meeting was financial accountability. The Board discussed the appointment of Mr. Schimpf as the purchasing agent, which sparked public comments about financial oversight. Community member Rick Short raised concerns regarding financial transparency, specifically questioning the handling of a paving project at Kilmer School that was not included in the bond. Another commenter, Jeff Powitz, urged the board to reconsider the resolution, fearing financial mismanagement without a competitive bidding process.

In administrative matters, the Board introduced candidates for the upcoming Board of Education election, and reports were shared from various committees. The Budget and Finance committee updated the board on district food services and facilities, while the Governance committee discussed streamlining meetings and updating policies. The Human Resources report included several appointments, with the acknowledgment of Mrs. Kittles’ service as she prepared for retirement.

The meeting also saw the resignation announcement of Board member Ms. Gallagher, who cited a new professional opportunity as the reason for stepping down. Her resignation prompted expressions of gratitude from fellow board members for her service and commitment to the community. Gallagher’s departure opened a vacancy on the board, with plans to accept applications and conduct public interviews to fill the position.

While some questioned the credibility of the restorative justice program, others defended the board’s efforts and criticized the perceived negativity of certain public narratives.