Despite the unseasonably warm early December weather, a few members of the community stopped by town hall on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 3 to learn more about the local school district.
Cherry Hill Schools Superintendent Maureen Reusche was on hand to explain some district initiatives and board goals.
The meeting was part of the Community Conversations series that will continue with dates scheduled into the spring.
Reusche gave a roughly hour-long synopsis of changes in population, diversity, programs throughout the district, as well as hitting a variety of other issues important to parents and the community alike.
In the last 10 years, diversity in enrollment throughout the district has grown, she said.
“I’m sure you see that within the community yourselves,” she added.
There has been a 10 percent drop in the Caucasian population, she said, while the Hispanic population has more than doubled from 3.5 percent 10 years ago to 8.4 percent last year.
There are 11,504 students enrolled in the district.
“That’s a changing demographic that we have within our classrooms,” she said.
Human resources has been looking into staff diversity to make sure it matches students, she later added.
Another change, said Reusche, is the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch programs.
That number is increasing.
The district sees the needs of students changing, she said, and is cognizant of that fact.
An additional 123 students are enrolled in out of district placements due to special needs.
Reusche said that the number has been decreasing over the years, and one of the efforts in the schools is to host more in-house special education programs to allow for students to stay in their local communities.
In focuses unique to this year, the district is hoping to hit state targets for achievement at each school and grade level, all of which have a target.
“And that’s new,” she said.
Now, parents will hear of annual measurable objectives rather than schools in need of improvement or not making adequate yearly progress.
Another board goal, she said, is to have a cost-efficient budget.
Technology infrastructure will have been upgraded in all 19 schools in January. The high schools were the first to be upgraded last summer, she said.
Enhancing communication through social media outlets is another work in progress, as the district searches for ways to be more involved in that regard following parent input through surveys.
As 2013 inches closer, there are plenty more programs and facilities improvements to be had, and more discussions.
“We’re continuing the Community Conversations,” said Reusche.
No matter how large or small the group of attendees may be, she added.
Upcoming conversations
Want to hear more? Have some questions?
The following scheduled Community Conversations will be held at the Malberg Administration Building, 45 Ranoldo Terrace, Cherry Hill.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 5 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Monday, May 20 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
