When Will Cherry Hill Pick A New Superintendent? District Shares Timeline Of Search

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill school officials plan to search for superintendent candidates until mid-December, with hopes to select a new district leader by mid-June.

The Cherry Hill Township School District, one of New Jersey's largest school systems, shared a broad timeline for its superintendent search. Dr. Joseph Meloche's departure for the same role in a Pennsylvania school district — announced in March — has left Cherry Hill without a permanent superintendent since the end of June, prompting a nationwide search for his replacement.

Dr. Kwame Morton, a district administrator, is serving as acting superintendent.

The district's superintendent search has entered the "engagement phase." Officials held an in-person focus group on Monday and will hold three virtual focus groups at 5 p.m. this Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. Sept. 20 and 7 p.m. Sept. 27. Here's info on how to access each meeting.

An online survey is also available.

The "recruitment phase" began in late June and will last until Dec. 12, according to district officials. On June 27, the Cherry Hill Board of Education contracted Hazard Young Atea Associates (HYA) to conduct the search.

Cherry Hill's "selection phase" is set for Dec. 12 to June 14, involving board interviews with selected candidates and other steps in the appointment process. The transition phase for the future superintendent will start June 14.

HYA, which conducts superintendent searches for school districts around the nation, shared a job posting for Cherry Hill applicants.

The successful candidate will receive a multi-year contract with a salary in the $260,000 range — subject to experience, qualifications and negotiations — according to HYA's listing. Meloche made a salary of $230,625 in his final year at Cherry Hill — the 96th-highest among public-school administrators in New Jersey.