The Cherry Hill Board of Education discussed potential revenue generators at its most recent meeting. In an effort to help offset costs, the district’s elementary schools will see an increase in lunch prices.
In the 2019-2020 school year, elementary school lunches will increase by 20 cents, going from $2.80 to $3. Reduced and free lunch prices will not be affected.
Board member Ruth Schultz said the district uses a paid lunch equity tool to calculate the weighted average of lunches served, and in doing so, the tool determines a minimum price requirement. Schultz said Assistant Superintendent Lynn Shugars was initially hesitant to raise prices, but when they took a look at the district’s wage increases pending in July and next January, they felt the 20-cent increase could help offset some of the operational costs.
Schultz said the district was approached about two alternate funding opportunities. She said one company proposed paying to have a cell phone tower at Cherry Hill High School East. Another company put forth a public-private partnership proposal through which the district’s mechanical and electrical systems would be upgraded and owned by an outside company. She said that company is not currently working with any school district and has primarily been partnering with wastewater management companies.
“The district is going to keep an eye on how this partnership develops to see if this is something we want to look into further,” Schultz said.
Board member Jane Scarpellino said the policy and legislation committee has discussed the district’s activity fee structure. She said they wanted to have a conversation about potentially increasing the fees at the board’s July meeting.
The district is also planning to roll out a district-wide online payment system. The system will be rolled out gradually. Payment for food services will be available first and parking payments will follow by this summer.
“The goal is to have one portal for our parents to use to pay for all things throughout the district,” Schultz said.
In other news:
- Rosa International Middle School student Shruthika Padhy was recognized for emerging as one of the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee co-champions. Padhy competed in 20 rounds of competition at the national bee.
- Sophia Liang, a Cherry Hill High School East, was honored for being a 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar, a distinction shared by only a handful of other seniors in the country. Liang is one of 161 students who qualified based on demonstrated academic success through essays, school evaluations, transcripts and evidence of community leadership and service.
- A variety of the district’s sports teams were recognized at the meeting for their success throughout the spring season. The East boys tennis team won the South Jersey Group 4 Conference.The East baseball team won the Olympic Conference in the American Division. West girls lacrosse made it to the semifinals of the South Jersey Group 3 tournament. West baseball won the South Jersey Group 3 Conference.
- The next of the Cherry Hill Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. at the Malberg Administration Building.
