New Columnist, BOE Member Shares Updates, Info

I am very excited to be able to post my first Education Monthly column. This column will be posted the last Friday of each month, highlighting key updates in the school district and the Board of Education during the month. 

The month of January was busy for the school district and the Board of Education. As students were returning to school after the winter break, the board held its yearly reorganization meeting. , and will serve until January 2016. During this meeting, required appointments were made and necessary items for the year were voted on. 

In addition, at the Jan. 22 meeting, there were two significant personnel changes made. Carole Butler, the former William Allen Middle School principal, waspromoted to director of curriculum and instruction. Her position will be filled on an interim basis by Matthew Keith, assistant principal at the high school. I congratulate Principal Butler on this achievement. 

Also during this meeting, students from Mary Roberts Elementary School and William Allen Middle School were recognized for outstanding academic achievements. I would also like to call attention to the four Moorestown High School students who graduated fire school. In addition, the board voted unanimously in favor of the “Pupil Use of Privately Owned Technology” policy, on third reading. 

Going forward there will be several major areas on which the Board of Education will continue to focus. Two of these include the 2013-2014 budget, and working on the teacher’s contract, which expires in June. The board and superintendent are jointly working on the issue of increasing safety and emergency preparedness within our schools. Personally speaking, I think this should be a priority. 

Furthermore, the Home and School Association will be having their fifth annual Adult Social from 7-11 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the Moorestown Community House. Tickets may be purchased from any Home and School member.

Also, I encourage all to look into the NJ Governor’s Jefferson Awards (www.njgovernorsawards.com). These awards recognize those who make a significant impact in their community through volunteer work, and I know there are many deserving citizens in Moorestown. 

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education is Feb. 26. In the meantime, all are welcome to visit my website at www.brandonjpugh.com, where I regularly post information and updates about the district and board. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time with any concerns or questions related to the school district or the Board of Education. 

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*The views and content in this column do not necessarily represent those of the Moorestown Board of Education as a whole or any individual member.