Cherry Hill Faces $4 Million Loss in State Aid, Prompting Budget Adjustments

Overview: The recent Cherry Hill School Board meeting revealed the district’s financial challenges, primarily a $4 million reduction in state aid for the current school year. This loss is attributed to changes in state funding formulas, specifically affecting the district’s Equalization Aid. The district had to make significant adjustments to its budget, including cuts to support staff positions and a potential reconfiguration of the middle school model from a teaming model to a junior high school structure.

Cherry Hill School District Faces $4 Million State Aid Cut Amid Budget Concerns

Overview: The Cherry Hill School Board meeting grappled with a financial setback due to a $4 million reduction in state aid for the 2025-26 budget year. The budget, set at approximately $256 million, reflects a decrease of around $309,000 from the previous year, primarily driven by changes in state funding formulas and the loss of equalization aid. To offset the shortfall, the district is considering a 2% tax increase and utilizing an expiring bank cap of $1.3 million. These measures underscore the fiscal challenges facing the district as it attempts to align its budget with limited resources while maintaining essential educational services.

Cherry Hill School Board Grapples with African American Studies Requirement Amid Public Concerns

Overview: A recent Cherry Hill School Board meeting saw debate over a new African American Studies course requirement for students. A student voiced concerns that this mandate could disrupt their tailored academic schedule, which was designed to prepare them for college and future career aspirations. The student argued that requiring the course would force them to drop electives more aligned with their career goals, such as public speaking, an introductory computer science course, or a dual credit college class. This, they contended, limited flexibility and did not consider individual student interests. While acknowledging the importance of African American culture and history, the student suggested that the course should be optional rather than mandatory, especially since general history classes already cover a range of cultures.

Cherry Hill School Board Faces Student Safety Concerns After Emergency Evacuation

Overview: The Cherry Hill School Board meeting focused on various issues, the most significant of which was the student safety concerns raised following a recent emergency evacuation at High School East. The incident, which involved a threat prompting a shelter-in-place followed by an evacuation, highlighted several lapses in communication and protocol execution that left students feeling anxious and uninformed.

Cherry Hill School Board Focuses on Special Education Transitions and Restorative Practices

Overview: The Cherry Hill School Board meeting primarily focused on enhancing special education transitions, implementing restorative practices, and fostering a positive school culture. Discussions underscored the importance of collaboration and communication in ensuring smooth educational progressions for students, particularly those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Additionally, the board explored the benefits of restorative practices to improve student behavior and emotional intelligence across the district.