Central to the meeting was the discussion on staff retention and the number of departures from the district. Speakers highlighted that 141 staff members left in the past three years, with 108 of them being resignations. This trend raised alarms about the district’s ability to maintain a stable and experienced teaching force. The potential impact of staff losses on student support, particularly for special education and the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), was underscored by several teachers and community members. A teacher emphasized the challenges of providing adequate support across different grade levels, while a parent stressed the importance of retaining teachers and questioned the leadership’s capacity to navigate through the district’s challenges.

The issue of teacher pay was prominently addressed, with comparisons made to surrounding districts where salaries were reportedly higher. One speaker pointed out that Collingswood’s teachers often go beyond their contractual obligations without additional compensation.

The scheduling process for the middle and high school also garnered attention. Initially, a seven-period day was proposed and then rejected after feedback from parents and students, leading to the acceptance of a new proposal that maintained an eight-class structure. Notably, the need for technology was discussed, with the high school administrative staff requesting changes to the Chromebook plan due to issues with student responsibility and device maintenance.

The public comment section of the meeting was particularly animated, with speakers addressing the reduction of staff within departments, such as the high school math department, and the elimination of the director of school counseling services position. These changes were feared to have a detrimental impact on the quality of education and the level of support provided to students. Additionally, the scheduling committee’s decision-making process was scrutinized, and concerns about the lack of community involvement in notable decisions were voiced.

Negotiations with the CEA emerged as a issue. The board highlighted the challenge of balancing fair compensation for teachers with the reality of budget shortfalls that could lead to further layoffs and cuts in programming. An impasse was declared during negotiations, leading to a request for mediation. The board stated that while their offers were made in good faith, they could not meet demands that would exacerbate financial constraints.

Community members expressed a desire for more transparent and collaborative decision-making. There was a call for the board to involve students, parents, and teachers in decisions that directly affect the school community, particularly regarding scheduling changes and potential referendums. The lack of communication and perceived lack of transparency and accountability from the board was a recurrent theme.

The meeting also touched upon curricular updates, with plans to audit the literacy program and update standards and courses, as well as the migration of district curricula to a new platform for better accessibility. The negotiations between the school board and the CEA, teacher placement processes, and the prioritization of student needs, especially for those with IEPs and 504 plans, were also discussed.

Administrative reports presented by the Superintendent and Business Administrator included updates on enrollment, safety drills, suspension and anti-bullying reports, and budget transfers. The Superintendent acknowledged the community’s efforts in celebrating Juneteenth and the success of the Collingswood Odyssey of the Mind program. The Board Secretary informed about upcoming audits and the approval of various financial items was sought by the Buildings, Grounds, and Finance Committee.