Interim Superintendent, PARCC Results Highlight Month in Moorestown School District

December is a short school month because of the holidays, but there was no shortage of activity in the Moorestown School District. The Board of Education approved an interim superintendent, gave a PARCC results overview presentation, and developed early budget information, among other items.

Carole Butler was approved as Interim Superintendent during a special meeting on Dec. 1. Butler’s contract is from Dec. 1, 2015 to July 1, 2016.

Also, 2016-2017 early budget projections were presented. The numbers provided were very preliminary and were based on last year’s numbers to give a rough direction, including identifying budget goals.

An update is expected in February. State aid numbers are expected in late February, and the initial submission deadline is March 22. The public hearing/final approval must occur before May 9. Updates will be provided as they become available.

A presentation was given on MTPS PARCC results from Year One at the Dec. 15 meeting.

Statewide, the percent of test takers compared to enrollment was 70 percent. Students are assigned a level based on their testing performance by category, which ranges from Level One (“not yet meeting grade-level expectations”) to Level Five (“exceeding grade-level expectations).

In New Jersey, earning level four or five is considered “passing.”

Moorestown students in each grade and subject area surpassed state averages. This data will be analyzed by the district to understand the performance of students fully, but it is important to note that MTPS will not use the data for placement of students in the 2016-2017 school year.

Parents should expect to receive individual student reports with an explanation guide the week of Dec. 20. A narrated version of the presentation can be found here. Programs will be conducted for parents on Jan. 11 for Grades 3-6 at the UES, and Jan. 12 for grades 7-12 at WAMS.

An update on the referendum projects was given by Rob Notley. This update included a very interesting drone view of the new high school stadium project, which includes the recently finished turf field and track. Two bids related to the referendum projects were also approved, including for WAMS interior renovations and WAMS partial roofing project.

Furthermore, the Board had the honor of recognizing several individuals at the December meeting.

Two individuals were retiring from the district, including Rose Trasatti (Middle School Guidance Counselor) and Debra Nelson (Middle School French Teacher).

Also, Sheryl Sawin was recognized for her service on the Board of Education, which included chairing the Curriculum Committee and service on the Strategic Planning Committee.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the Home and School Adult Social/Casino Night on Jan. 29 at Laurel Creek Country Club from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event raises money for various projects. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased here.

There are two scheduled Board meetings in January 2016.

The first is the annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7 pm in the William Allen Middle School Media Center. At this meeting, David Weinstein, Harry Faunce, and I will be sworn in for three year terms, along with the election of Board President and Vice President.

The regular monthly Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 pm. In the meantime, do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year, and to the continued academic excellence that it will bring.

---

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.