It was time again for Cherokee High School to close the book on another school year and the class of 2012, as the high school celebrated its commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 13.
But as hundreds of seniors walked off into the sunset and into the promise of a new life or higher education opportunities, the high school also bade farewell to its leader for the past five years as Lenape Regional High School Superintendent Emily Capella presided over her final graduation ceremony.
Capella began her career in 1977 as a teacher at Cherokee High School, where she was named assistant principal in 1992 before being asked by then Superintendent Daniel Hicks to join the central administration as director of programs and planning.
Capella was appointed assistant superintendent in 2000.
She succeeded Hicks as superintendent upon his retirement in 2007.
The LRHSD Board of Education accepted her resignation on Dec. 21. At its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 16, the board named Carol L. Birnbohm, Ed.D., the new superintendent of schools, effective July 1.
The board of education also decided to honor previous LRHSD board member Joseph Fisicaro for his tireless work in the school districts and awarded him an honorary Cherokee High School diploma.
Fisicaro served on the LRHSD until last October, when Gov. Chris Christie appointed him to serve on the state board of education.
“Talk about a guy that has always been all in,” K-8 Board of Education President Sandy Student said. “He has always been involved in the school districts.”
Fisicaro has been the Evesham Township representative to the Lenape Regional High School BOE for the past 18 years. Prior to that, he was on the Evesham Township Board of Education for three years.
Fisicaro served as a member of Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education from 1993 until his appointment to the State Board. He was president of the Lenape board from 1999 to 2001 and vice president from 1997 to 1999. He also was a member of the N.J. School Boards Association for nine years.
The state board has 13 members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the N.J. State Senate. Members serve without compensation for six-year terms. By law, at least three members of the state board must be women, and no two members from the same county can be appointed.
