Meloche Named New Curriculum Director, Says Leaving West Difficult

Cherry Hill West principal Joseph Meloche can lay fame to one of the quirkier career paths in the district—he’s the only administrator who can say he was principal at the three schools—Kingston, Carusi and West—in the district he attended as a child.

Starting this summer, though, he’ll be off to a new challenge, after being approved by the school board as the district’s new director of curriculum, effective July 1.

While moving up to a position where he’ll have the chance to help shape where the district goes in the coming years is a tremendous opportunity, Meloche said it was a decision that agonized him for weeks.

“The hardest part is, I have a job that I absolutely love. I love going to work every day, I love what I do, I love the opportunities I have,” Meloche said.

Ultimately, though, the chance to tackle something bigger and influence students across the district won out, Meloche said.

“Change is healthy for all of us. There’s tremendous growth that the district has experienced, tremendous change that’s taken place during the course of the last ten years,” he said. “What’s going to happen in the course of the next ten years is absolutely unbelievable.”

Meloche will take over from Steve Levine, a retired Cherry Hill principal, who is serving this year as interim director of curriculum. The position had disappeared in 2010, following budget cuts, but was restored to start the 2012-2013 school year after changes Superintendent Maureen Reusche made, including dropping one assistant superintendent position.

As director, Meloche will head all aspects, including development and implementation, of the district's Pre K-12 curriculum. In addition, he’ll supervise the elementary school principals and the district curriculum supervisors.

He comes in with some experience in that capacity, having been the K-8 curriculum supervisor while serving as a principal in Maple Shade.

While his local ties have been a great asset, Reusche said, it’s his talents and experience that make him an ideal fit for the position.

“I don't want to lose sight of the expertise that Joe brings as an educational leader, what he has been able to accomplish in those educational environments, and the respect that he has garnered throughout the community,” she said. “I look forward to working in this new capacity with Joe, and the leadership that he can bring, and the contribution I know he’s going to make to our leadership team in the district.”

Those strong local ties aren’t likely to vanish with Meloche moving to Malberg—he and his family live in Cherry Hill, and his four daughters are all in district schools.

“Not only do I love what I do because I enjoy the work and it’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding, but I have a very vested interest in what goes on in each of the schools on a daily basis,” Meloche said. “I look forward to what we’re going to do come July.”

The search for Meloche’s replacement at West will get underway as soon as possible, Reusche said, and will involve input from parents and staff members at the high school.

“While his leadership as principal of Cherry Hill High School West will be missed, I am confident that Dr. Meloche and his staff have established a strong foundation that will serve the school community well through the transition,” she said.