A Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Cherry Hill Community,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing ahead of the Board of Education’s Action Meeting and Public Budget Hearing, which will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Lewis Administration Building. At that meeting, the Board will vote on the 2026–2027 budget I have recommended.

This year’s budget process has been extraordinarily challenging, not only in Cherry Hill, but across New Jersey. Districts throughout Camden County and the state are facing unprecedented financial pressures, with many communities confronting school closures, program eliminations, and tax increases averaging more than six percent. Cherry Hill Public Schools is no exception. We are addressing a $29 million budget deficit that has required difficult and thoughtful decisions.

Because of the complexity of these issues, we created the Budget Clarity Hub to ensure the community has access to accurate, transparent information. I strongly encourage all residents to rely on that resource for the most complete and up-to-date facts. I also want to directly address several claims that have recently circulated in the community and are incorrect.

First, statements suggesting that Central Office staffing has increased by 68 percent are based on a misinterpretation of public budget documents. The referenced list does not represent Central Administration positions alone. It includes all non-affiliated employees earning $75,000 or more, many of whom work in school buildings, technology, facilities, student programs, and operations. Using this list to characterize growth in Central Office staffing is inaccurate.

Second, claims that teachers have already been laid off are false. While 70 positions were identified as part of the budget reduction, approximately 84 percent of those reductions are being addressed through attrition. Staff are being reassigned where appropriate, and no teacher layoffs have occurred to date.

Third, assertions that the district is eliminating one-to-one Educational Assistants for students with Individualized Education Plans are categorically untrue. The district is not eliminating these supports. In fact, the special education budget is being expanded to meet student needs. 

Finally, while we are restructuring the delivery of elementary encore programming, students will continue to receive instruction in both Spanish and computer science.

These are difficult conversations, and I understand the concern many feel about the future of our schools. I encourage our community to remain engaged, attend the upcoming budget hearing, and seek information from verified district sources. Our shared goal remains clear: to make responsible decisions that support students while navigating a challenging financial reality.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to the children of Cherry Hill Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kwame Morton, Sr. 
Superintendent, Cherry Hill Public Schools