Author: sbambino

Renovations and additions funded by the 2022 bond referendum of $363 million are continuing at township schools.

During a recent board of education meeting, Lynn Shugars, assistant superintendent and business/board secretary, shared project updates. The biggest initiative at the moment, she said, is the addition of all-purpose rooms at numerous schools. 

“For the most part, we are moving indoors into the buildings and starting some of the work,” Shugars explained.

Work most recently began at Joseph D. Sharp Elementary, including a new roof on the building and the finalizing of brick and waterproofing. Upgrades at Clara Barton Elementary are a little farther along, with an almost-complete roof. Upcoming work includes wall panels, the installation of windows and bathroom tile and outside painting. 

Work is still being completed outside of Horace Mann Elementary, including storm drainage and fencing. Once that’s complete, interior renovations such as wall painting will be underway. James Johnson Elementary is also coming along, with painting and bathroom tile being installed while wiring, ceiling grips and bathroom accessories are in the works. Wiring is also being worked on at Knight Elementary, where a drop ceiling, HVAC and gym equipment, bathroom accessories and interior doors are forthcoming.

Work at Kingston Elementary is the farthest along. The playground area has been turned over to the school; bathroom tiles are being put in; and finishing touches are going on the electric, drop ceilings, HVAC, bathroom accessories and interior doors. Kingston is also the first building to see the installation of theatrical equipment, including stage lighting and curtains.

“So we’re moving right along with those projects,” Shugars noted at the board meeting.

She then highlighted the four-phase upgrades at Carusi Middle School. The district is in the process of wrapping up Phase 1, which includes the renovations of A wing, along with the gym – which will also get insulated panels – locker rooms and the main office area.

Carusi is now preparing to begin Phase 2, which entails abatement and renovation of the school’s B wing, along with the renovation of C wing spaces between the cafeteria and gym. That work is set to begin in June and run through May of 2026. Next steps include the purchase of TCUs (temporary classroom units); installation plans for those are still being discussed. 

Other work includes: additions and renovations at Rosa International Middle School (bid awarded Dec. 17); renovations to the front entrance at Beck Middle School (anticipated completion is February); lighting and ADA accessibility at the Cherry Hill High School West stadium (work to start after July 7); and upgrades to the J.F. Cooper Elementary front parking lot, Beck Middle School west parking lot, auditoriums at both high schools and the F wing at Cherry Hill East over the next two years. 

Shugars also highlighted upcoming preschool additions that will be funded through a ROD grant that is separate from the bond referendum. Project work includes an eight-classroom pre-K addition at both the Estelle V. Malberg Early Childhood Center and Joyce Kilmer Elementary, along with the conversion of 13 individual toilet rooms at Malberg to preK-suitable facilities. The Kilmer site will also get two new playgrounds. 

Further bond referendum project updates will be presented by Shugars at the first board of education meeting of each month. 

In other board news, public information officer Nina Baratti presented findings from a recent communications audit and subsequent updates to the district’s strategic communications plan. Parents and guardians can expect stronger transparency regarding inclement weather announcements, health emergencies and similar events, and they will also receive weekly newsletters from both Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton and school principals.

There is also now a Superintendent Spotlight on social media, highlighting individuals who are doing great work across the district. 

Looking ahead, Baratti promised there will be listening opportunities to gather feedback from the public on what is and isn’t working, especially regarding the newly-launched district website. She’s also updating communications around the referendum projects that will eventually include fresh photos, videos and digital tours, both on a dedicated webpage and social media, to show how the work is coming along.

Other goals for the near future include the implementation of a district branding guide (standardized logos, colors and fonts) and enhanced engagement with non-English-speaking families. 

The board also discussed the possible extension of the district’s Wireless Communications Device Policy – which bans cell phone use in the classroom – to its members during meetings. The goal is to set an example for students. A vote is expected to take place during the next meeting.

Chloe Ren and Audrey Ren will compete as national finalists in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Piano Duet Competition.

The sisters earned the opportunity after winning the Eastern division of the competition.

Chloe is a sophomore at Cherry Hill East and Audrey attends Rosa International Middle School. They’ve been studying piano since they were 6 years old and are currently students of Veda Zuponcic.

Chloe is a four-time, first-place winner of the annual SJMTA (South Jersey Music Teachers National Association) Technique Competition and a seven-time High Honor awardee from both the NJMTA and the SJMTA’s annual spring recital auditions. Audrey is a five-time first-place winner, also of the annual SJMTA Technique Competition, and three-time honorable-mention awardee of the NJMTA’s annual young musicians competition.

Both sisters play at local and community events in South Jersey. 

The national winner of the Senior Piano Duet Competition earns a cash prize and will perform in a winners concert during the MTNA national conference. The three-tiered competitions begin at the state level. Winners of each state contest advance to the video-only division competition, whose winners then proceed to the national competition finals. 

After nearly two decades in the Cherry Hill school district, where he has served as an elementary- and high-school principal, Dr. Kwame Morton is in the middle of his first full academic year as superintendent.

In a recent interview with The Sun, Morton said he’s proud of the work that’s been accomplished so far, and looks forward to all that’s coming in the near and distant future. 

A strong point of pride for Morton has been watching projects funded by the 2022 bond referendum of $363 million – the largest ever passed in New Jersey – come to fruition.

“The commencement of the work was aligned with my start as acting superintendent (in July 2024), so I’ve been intimately involved in the projects that have taken place thus far,’ he explained. “We’ve had massive roofing work done across the district, we’ve had gyms redone in multiple schools, we have new APRs (All Purpose Rooms) being built at six of our elementary schools.

“That’s only a third of the work that we have in front of us,” Morton added. “So seeing the projects get completed on schedule, on time, on budget has been awesome. It’s been fantastic for us.” 

Another 2024 highlight was the district being cited as one of only a few statewide to receive preschool expansion funds. There are currently about 350 kids in the continually expanding program.

“That’s wonderful to have the opportunity to provide free preschool, universal preschool for the families of Cherry Hill,” Morton emphasized. “It’s tremendous.” 

Morton also spotlighted the hiring of several new principals, including Christina Collazo-Franco at Carusi Middle School, Alison McCartney at Woodcrest Elementary School and Daniel Finkle at Cherry Hill East.

“They hit the ground running. I think things are going very well in our schools,” noted Morton, who reported that he has sought out like-minded individuals who “possess and embody the same energy and mindset.”

“I’m proud of the comprehensive change as I think about it all,” he observed, “and how we’re systematically addressing everything and managing it all and moving forward, and attempting to provide kids the greatest experience possible in the district.” 

Looking ahead at the rest of 2025 and beyond, Morton said his administration is “deeply entrenched” in crafting a new five-year strategic plan. The current one expires this year. 

“That’s a massive effort,” he acknowledged. “It involves tremendous community voices, survey process, individual meetings, focus group meetings, reviewing data, establishment of focus areas, establishment of goals, indicators of success. All of that is happening as we speak.”

The administration is also crafting its first “Portrait of a Graduate” profile, to identify the characteristics, attributes and qualities the community wants for students as they progress through the school system. It will also include skills students should acquire during their education that will help them navigate the world after graduation.

Community meetings over the past few months have enabled parents and other stakeholders to have their voices heard, a process Morton estimated will end by May or June. And he is in the early stages of exploring possible elementary-level redistricting in the 2028-’29 academic year. 

“We had a demographic study that was done last year, and this demographic study follows population trends,” he offered. “We were able to see that in the 2028-’29 school year, we’re projected to have significant enrollment increases at the elementary level, particularly because of the preschool program that we started. And as the children matriculate upward, of course they’re going to land in specific schools.

“So we’ve begun the planning process around elementary redistricting, and more to come with that.” 

Under consideration to alleviate overcrowding is the transition of the Arthur Lewis administration building – formerly an elementary school – back to its original use. Other adjustments, including new transportation routes and updated boundaries for schools and neighborhoods, will also be discussed. 

“But we are nowhere close to being ready with recommendations yet,” Morton stressed. 

The school district will continue to enhance its communication strategy, he emphasized. A “revealing” audit completed last year led to some vital updates of the district’s digital presence and communication with the public.

“Community members found it very difficult to navigate our district website and found it difficult to find information,” Morton said. “So one of the things that we’ve done as a result, we have a new website. A new website just launched on Jan. 2 when we returned back to school.

“So this new and improved website has received positive feedback and was an outgrowth of that process.” 

As Morton’s inaugural school year as superintendent enters its second half, he says he’s honored to helm a district where the students, parents and staff feel strongly about academic success.

“Cherry Hill’s a great community, a wonderful community of passionate individuals,” he stated. “Many people move here for the schools and experience for their children. That’s just the type of place that Cherry Hill is.”