Haddonfield School Board Explores Taylor Swift Enrichment Class Amid Curriculum Updates and Policy Revisions

At the recent Haddonfield School Board meeting, members delved into a range of topics, most notably the proposal for a new enrichment class focused on Taylor Swift, extensive updates to the curriculum, and a series of policy reviews. The board also addressed the ongoing referendum planning and financial audits.

The proposal for a Taylor Swift-themed enrichment class captured much of the board’s attention. The class, which would focus on arts and music, faces logistical and financial challenges, primarily because it requires a tuition fee of $75 to $175 from parents, as it is not included in the current budget. The board acknowledged these hurdles and recognized the need for further discussion on the feasibility of implementing such summer classes. The idea aimed to leverage the pop star’s wide appeal to engage students in creative learning experiences.

Amidst the curriculum discussions, the board expressed enthusiasm for new virtual learning options, which aim to provide students with more flexible educational choices. The curriculum committee presented updates on incorporating New Jersey Virtual School programs and highlighted a forthcoming student survey designed to gauge perceptions of these programs. The board is set to introduce two new semester courses that reformat the existing four-year commercial art course into shorter, more engaging versions. These initiatives are part of the broader effort to adapt the curriculum to meet diverse student interests and needs.

Special education curriculum updates also featured prominently in the meeting. Discussions focused on programming tailored to students’ specific needs. A repository of online resources for teachers and collaborative efforts across schools were emphasized as essential components for effective special education strategies. The board plans to gather further documentation on the programs’ costs and return on investment, with additional information expected at a future meeting.

The board also reviewed several policies, with discussions on Policy 5512, concerning harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). The changes involve mandated parental notification requirements and procedural guidance during investigations. Other policies reviewed included those addressing student smoking, electronic surveillance in school buildings, and cooperation with law enforcement agencies regarding student possession of marijuana and other substances. The board underscored the importance of effective communication and signage on campus to enforce these policies.

In the realm of facilities and infrastructure, the Superintendent updated the board on the ongoing referendum planning. Meetings with building principals, bond counsel, and financial advisors are aligning efforts, with exciting developments anticipated soon, despite challenges projected for 2027. The board emphasized the importance of keeping the community informed about these projects and expressed interest in adopting successful strategies from other schools to enhance community engagement during construction phases.

Additionally, the board discussed the status of a crosswalk in front of the high school, a matter previously committed to by county officials, with no new information currently available. In the board president’s report, a recent article suggesting a return to discussions on full-day mandated kindergarten was noted, bringing a sense of relief given the time invested in previous efforts towards this goal. The board president also expressed curiosity about potential mandates for full-day pre-K, though details remain uncertain.

Financial discussions included a review of business and financial recommendations, highlighting the complexities of a bond sale resolution and the need for future recommendations for a referendum architect and construction manager. The board also discussed the upcoming completion of a fiscal audit for 2024, which will be reviewed with the auditor at a future meeting. A clarification was provided on the purchase of a lift through a custodial management company’s equipment pool, emphasizing its role in enhancing safety and operational efficiency in upcoming projects.

Finally, the board touched on tuition reimbursement related to a doctoral program, with discussions centered on the contractual nature of such reimbursements and the limitations imposed by available funds. The meeting concluded after a period of reviewing minutes and items for future consideration, with a motion to adjourn.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Superintendent:
Charles Klaus
School Board Officials:
Michael Catalano (Board Secretary/Business Administrator), Matt Ritter, Greg Esemplare, Mike Nuckols, Chuck Klaus (Superintendent), Megan Hollingworth, Jaime Grookett (President), Linda Hochgertel (Vice President), Nousheen Sadiq, Jessica Drass, Stephanie Benecchi

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
Congressional Committee
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
State Legislative Committee
State School Board
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
CA
Alameda County
Los Angeles County
San Bernardino County
San Francisco County
CO
Adams County
Arapahoe County
Boulder County
Douglas County
El Paso County
Elbert County
Garfield County
Jefferson County
Mesa County
Montrose County
Pueblo County
Teller County
Weld County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
IL
Cook County
Kane
Kane County
Mchenry
IN
Marion County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MD
Montgomery County
MI
Berrien County
Genesee County
Grand Traverse County
Ingham County
Kent County
Oakland County
Washtenaw County
Wayne County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Montgomery County
Rutherford County
Shelby County
Williamson County
TX
Dallas County
Harris County
Tarrant County
VA
Fairfax County
Loudoun County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording