The board’s conversation on enrollment numbers and projections took center stage as members grappled with the reality of a decrease in high school enrollment contrasted by a significant projected increase at Central School. It was noted that the impending increase, partly due to the new housing developments, is expected to displace up to 82 students to other schools, surpassing Central School’s maximum capacity of 75. The board raised concerns about the new developments’ potential to add an influx of students and the subsequent need for additional classrooms and teachers. Furthermore, the board explored the ramifications of these changes on the district’s resources and walking routes, stressing the importance of maintaining the district’s walking district and neighborhood school ethos amidst the enrollment and facility constraints.

The board also discussed making boundary changes to manage the impact of the influx, with suggestions such as moving the line from Central School to Warwick. A proposal to engage a demographer was debated to gain a clearer picture of the impact of new developments on school enrollment. There was a divergence of opinion on the necessity and potential effectiveness of boundary changes and the decision to engage a demographer.

In addition to enrollment concerns, curriculum challenges were also a focus of the meeting. The English Language Arts audit presentation revealed issues at multiple education levels. At the elementary level, the alignment of programs with the science of reading and new standards was problematic. Middle school concerns centered on the seventh-grade curriculum and a decline in reading engagement and writing skills. High school discussions revolved around providing more accelerated English and AP English options. The board considered adopting a new word study program for grades four and five and emphasized the need for professional development, particularly in vocabulary instruction. The implementation of recommended changes came with a cost estimate of $39,395, with a recurring cost for an assessment to screen for dyslexia and assess early literacy skills in K-2.

Financial discussions at the meeting also centered on the pilot program, a payment in lieu of taxes arrangement that could allow a builder to make a payment to the borough, potentially bypassing the school district. Questions were raised about the equity of this arrangement, which could lead to the school district missing out on funding while the community bears the burden. The board debated the details of pilot program agreements and their impact on school funding and property taxes, with no consensus on whether to oppose the program or seek a shared benefit agreement with the borough.

Public comments during the meeting highlighted traffic safety concerns, the impact of non-affordable housing units on rental prices, and the growth of Central elementary school. A former School Board member and president of the Haddonfield Educational Trust urged the Board to revisit a 2019 statement regarding the proposed pilot and its impact on school funding and stressed the importance of accurate demographic studies for informed decision-making.

The meeting also covered the acceptance of various reports, approvals of academic calendars, job descriptions, and policies. The approval of a turf field, tax payment schedules, and a summer savings agency contract were among the items that received positive remarks from the board members.

In their comments for future consideration, board members discussed the necessity of a more useful demographic study that accurately reflects the local population. The feasibility of such a study in light of the no-knock registry and the potential need for more volunteers was also considered. There was a suggestion to draft a letter to address certain concerns, revealing a collective desire for proactive communication and decision-making within the board.