Collingswood School Board Tackles Budget and Racial Equity

Overview: The most focus of the recent Collingswood School Board meeting centered on the district’s budget presentation for the 2024-2025 academic year and the ongoing concerns regarding racial equity and incidents of bias within the schools. The budget presentation outlined the district’s financial challenges, including a structural deficit exacerbated by rising costs in transportation, special education, and employee salaries. The need for fairer state funding was a recurring theme, as the speakers urged for community partnership and advocacy. The presentation also highlighted priorities such as rigorous learning environments, infrastructure upgrades, and staff compensation.

Collingswood School Board Plans for Future with Proposed Referendum

Overview: The Collingswood School Board recently convened to discuss a significant bond referendum aimed at addressing the school district’s aging facilities and the need for more flexible space for students. At the heart of the meeting was the proposal to purchase the Good Shepherd building, decommission two older schools, and improve the field space behind the high school. The board deliberated on the potential consequences if the referendum were to fail, which would result in the continued aging of school buildings and inevitable major repairs. The necessity of planning for the future to prevent disruptions to students and staff due to building repairs was underscored.

Collingswood School Board Contemplates School System Overhaul

Overview: The recent meeting of the Collingswood School Board centered on a potential sweeping transformation of the district’s school facilities, including the consolidation of schools, the sale of Garfield School, and the acquisition and conversion of Good Shepherd School. The plan, proposed to address overcapacity at the elementary level and improve educational infrastructure, has sparked a mix of optimism, concern, and debate among board members and the community.

Collingswood Plans School System Overhaul

Overview: The Collingswood School Board convened to discuss a significant overhaul of the district’s school system, featuring the proposed Bond referendum aimed at enhancing academic environments, addressing student population growth, and improving facilities. The plan, which carries an estimated total project cost of $44 million with a local taxpayer share of nearly $40 million, seeks to renovate existing schools, construct a new Upper Elementary School, and implement community-centered initiatives. The meeting sparked both support and concern among community members, focusing on the future of Sharp Elementary School, the financial impact of the proposed changes, and the improvement of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the district.

Collingswood School Board Addresses SLO Resignation and Future of the Program

Overview: In the latest meeting of the Collingswood School Board, members addressed the resignation of the School Liaison Officer (SLO) and the subsequent decision to carefully select a suitable replacement. This decision comes in light of a reported reduction in calls for service, particularly at the high school and middle school levels. The Chief of Police, Carrie, provided substantial insights into the SLO program’s impact, highlighting instances where the presence of the SLO was beneficial, such as in investigations involving missing students and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.