Graduation, Board Resignation Highlight Month In Moorestown School District

MOORESTOWN, NJ — It is hard to believe that the 2016-17 school year is now complete! June was a busy month for the Moorestown Board of Education. The Class of 2017 graduated, a board members, the Board received an update on referendum projects, and students were recognized.

I would like to first congratulate each individual who graduated Moorestown High School on June 22. This was truly an exceptional class, which broke athletic records, completed high levels of community service, and excelled academically. I wish them the best as they enter the workforce, the military, and/or college, including Yale, Princeton, Georgetown, Rutgers, and TCNJ. A full video of the graduation can be found here.

At the June 20 monthly meeting, the Board announced the resignation of Kathy Goldenberg. Kathy will be joining the New Jersey State Board of Education, which does not allow for local board service.

Kathy served on the Moorestown Board of Education for 10 years, including time as President, Vice President, and the chair of numerous committees. Kathy will be missed, but I know she will bring her passion to the State to benefit students statewide. I am serving as Acting President until the Board holds a special meeting in July to elect a President through reorganization 2018. For more, click here.

Given the resignation, there is now a vacancy on the Board. Individuals interested in filling the vacancy should submit a resume and letter of interest by 3:30 p.m. on July 7, 2017. This person will serve until the reorganization in January 2018. The successful candidate would need to run in November 2017 to continue serving beyond the reorganization. The vacancy notice can be found here.

Similarly, there will be four open Board positions on the ballot for the November election. Nominating petitions must be submitted to the appropriate county clerk by 4 p.m. on July 31, 2017. Additional information on petitions can be found here through the New Jersey School Boards Association.

The Board approved continued affiliation for affiliate groups following Board Policy # 9190, which are groups “which wholly support an activity in which District pupils participate.” These groups include Home & School, SpEAC, PACE, the Moorestown Education Foundation, MoorArts, and Live Civilly. These organizations graciously provide donations, services, and programs for District students and staff.

In addition, two overnight student trips were approved by the Board. One was a foreign language trip to Spain from March 28, 2018 to April 6, 2018. The Board heard a presentation at the previous month’s meeting on this trip from WorldStrides. The other was the Senior Trip to Orlando, Florida from April 21, 2018 to April 26, 2018.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education will not be until August 2017. As such, there will not be column in July. I hope everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable summer. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to the Board or myself if you need anything in the meantime.

The views and content in this column do not necessarily represent those of the Moorestown Board of Education as a whole or any other individual member.

About this column: In this column, Moorestown Board of Education Member Brandon Pugh provides monthly updates on what's going on in the school district and on the BOE.