BOE Meeting - 4/28/2026

The Cherry Hill Public Schools Board of Education held a meeting on April 28, 2026, primarily focused on the presentation and approval of the 2026-2027 budget amid significant financial challenges. The district faces a $29 million budget gap driven by years of underfunding at the state level, rising costs, and reduced surplus funds. The budget process included a zero-based budgeting review that identified $8 million in operational savings and a strategy to manage personnel reductions mainly through attrition, affecting approximately 70 positions. Despite efforts to minimize impact, the budget includes increased class sizes and cuts to some programs, which prompted extensive public comment expressing concern over the effects on special education, interventionists, computer science, and extracurricular activities. The board discussed capital improvement projects, including awarding a $5.6 million contract for renovations at Cherry Hill West High School. The budget was ultimately approved with some board members expressing regret but acknowledging the necessity due to state aid reductions and rising costs. Advocacy for fair state funding and long-term financial sustainability was emphasized throughout the meeting.