Presentation On Tech Program Highlights Moorestown BOE Meeting

MOORESTOWN, NJ — It is hard to believe that the 2017-18 school year is already finished. I would like to first congratulate the over 300 students who graduated from Moorestown High School on June 19. I wish them the best as they enter college, the workforce, and/or the military!

The June 12 Board of Education meeting began with three special presentations. First, there was an update on the district’s involvement in the Future Ready Schools — New Jersey program. The district is attempting to earn the “bronze” certification through this program for the William Allen Middle School and the high school. This certification recognizes the incorporation of technology in curriculum and programs, including meeting a series of indicators. The board unanimously approved the application submission.

Second, various athletic teams were recognized for their outstanding achievements, including the WAMS 8th grade baseball team that finished the 2018 season with a 13-0 record and won the South Jersey Middle School Baseball League Championship.

Third, 16 members of our retiring staff were recognized for their service to the district. This accomplished group included a building principal, a district content supervisor, and a teacher with over 40 years of service, among many others.

Conversation continued surrounding proposed changes to the class size policy (Policy 2312). Changing the desired class size maximums stated in the policy was never recommended by the policy committee. Rather, changes focused on the process in the event a desired maximum was exceeded because the former practice was vague.

The process now is for the superintendent to notify the Board of Education at the next regular meeting if a desired maximum is exceeded. Additional changes were made in between introduction and final reading to clarify the proposed language. The policy was unanimously supported on final reading in June and is now in effect.

The board approved maintaining the school lunch prices for the 2018-19 school year, which was allowed due to an exemption. Therefore, lunch prices will be $2.50 for the George C. Baker, Mary E. Roberts and South Valley elementary schools; $2.80 for the Upper Elementary School, middle school, and high school; and $3.25 for premium lunches at the middle and high schools. The breakfast program at Roberts Elementary is $1.30 and kindergarten milk/juice is 50 cents.

A revised meeting schedule for the board was approved for 2018-19, which can be found at exhibit 18-344 on the June agenda. This reflects changes to the September and June meetings from the schedule approved at the May meeting.

The next Board of Education is not until Aug. 21, 7 p.m. in the William Allen Middle School Media Center. As a reminder, there will not be a column in July. I look forward to seeing you in the next school year and please do not hesitate to contact me in the meantime. Enjoy your summer!

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.