Joe Meloche, Cherry Hill High School West’s current principal, will be taking on a new position starting this summer.
Meloche will serve as the district’s director of curriculum beginning July 1. The school board at the Tuesday, Feb. 26 meeting approved the reassignment.
Superintendent Dr. Maureen Reusche said that she was thrilled with the approval.
“Dr. Meloche has experience as director of curriculum from his time in Maple Shade,” she said.
He has also served as principal in three district schools during his time in Cherry Hill thus far.
“He brings a perspective to this district that is very unique,” Reusche said. “He leads through difficult times in a calm and comforting manner.”
When tough decisions have to be made, Meloche helps the schools to get through the challenges, she said.
“I look forward to working in this new capacity with Joe.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” Meloche, who was present for the meeting, said.
While he said that he has a job he loves, he exuded excitement for the new opportunity.
He has watched “tremendous growth” in the district in the last 10 years and looks forward to the next 10.
“I’m a firm believer that we have to provide the best that we possibly can on a daily basis,” he said. “I look forward to what we’re going to do come July.”
Budget status
Assistant Superintendent Jim Devereaux requested the preliminary budget adoption be postponed due to questions regarding the state’s new software program.
The meeting is to be held on Tuesday, March 5.
There were changes in the recapitulation of balances questions that “made them nervous,” he said.
The software was unclear on the definitions of excess fund balance and free balance, which is an issue for the first time.
“We’re very uneasy about this,” he said.
More time to research the issue will give clarity, he said.
Usually, an impact on tax rates based on the average assessed home would be explained, but this year so far, there are only estimates.
“Although the estimate that we used for the ratables we think is a pretty good estimate, it is an estimate and it could change,” Devereaux said. “The process is not yet over.”
He was cautious with providing tax rate information.
Ratables were $4.4 billion last year. This year, the estimated ratables are $7.6 billion.
“That does result in a pretty significant decrease in the actual tax rate for school taxes,” he said.
However, a more precise number will be released soon.
There will be no work session in March. The next action meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m., with the public hearing and budget adoption scheduled to follow on Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Malberg Administration Building.
Read Across America
Reusche made a visit to Town Council on Monday, Feb. 25 to accept a proclamation of recognition for Read Across America week in the district.
“It was nice of them to recognize us in that matter,” she said.
Council members will be visiting schools throughout March to participate in reading activities.
