Two resolutions were passed at the recent board of education meeting in relation to the teacher and principal evaluation.
The resolutions approved a services agreement between the board and Learning Sciences International, LLC to provide a teacher evaluation electronic platform.
The second resolution was the approval of a services agreement between the board and Performance Matters, LLC to provide a performance assessment and district data management system.
A letter will be sent to the state Department of Education in an attempt to help fund the platform, according to Sherry Cohen, curriculum and instruction committee chairperson.
“They’re really unfunded mandates costing the school $217,346 to fund for the principal and teacher evaluation, which is coming out of our money and things we really need,” Cohen said.
The evaluations will be saved on electronic format on a district-wide system and also onto a cloud-based system.
The information saved must be sent electronically to the state, according to Superintendent Maureen Reusche.
The data warehouse system will also be replaced in addition to an assessment piece, which measured academic progress, according to Reusche.
“It is a more organized system compared to the lack of a system we have now,” Reusche said. “It will get everyone on the same page.”
The contracts are annual and the district will be moving forward with changing the system.
In other news:
• Rose Casey, president of the Educational Assistants of Cherry Hill, was honored for her dedication to the district.
Casey recently recorded a radio spot for Ben FM for the New Jersey Education Association, according to Susan Bastnagel, public information officer.
Casey has been working as an educational assistant at Beck Middle School for the past 10 years with students with special needs.
“I have the pleasure of starting out my day in the band room playing the saxophone with students every day,” Casey said in the spot, noting she has been playing the saxophone for the last 50 years. “We play together at community events and concerts.”
The board relayed its thanks to Casey on behalf of all educational assistants working in the district.
• High school students were honored for their service as BOE representatives.
“These students are a true testament to character. Hopefully, they make their parents very proud, and we wish to thank you for the service as board representatives and representatives of our district,” said Carol Matlack, board president.
The representatives reported that students in the high schools are preparing for finals, which are coming up June 18. Students are also looking forward to prom, student brunch, graduation ceremonies and project graduation.
• Beck Middle School received a Character Award and is considered a National School of Character, according to Al Morales, assistant principal.
“We’re very proud. We’ve worked for several years,” Morales said. “They did a wonderful job.”
Both teachers and parents served on the committee, as did more than 60 students in focus groups to make the recognition happen, according to Morales.
“It’s a testament to really dedicated people and I’m proud to have worked with them,” Morales said.
The next board of education meeting will be held June 25 at 7 p.m. at the Malberg Administration Building.
