Moorestown school board candidates at a public candidate forum on Oct. 1 discussed implementing a recently approved school facilities referendum, emphasizing both educational benefits and logistical challenges.

The referendum, which candidates said “passed last month by two thirds of the voters,” moves third grade into an Upper Elementary School (UES) and shifts sixth grade to the middle school; candidates described the changes as developmentally appropriate and likely to expand extracurricular and hands-on learning opportunities. “Moving third grade up to the UES … developmentally is going to be great for third graders,” said Katie Berman, a candidate and longtime Moorestown schools parent. Danielle Miller, an incumbent board member and vice president, said she is “most excited” about opening curricular space at the high school formerly used for a maintenance garage to support trades and technology programs.

Candidates also flagged operational challenges they expect the board and administration to manage. Danielle Miller said the board must “oversee the spending” and avoid “scope creep” and called timelines for construction “challenging” because disruptions to classrooms must be minimized. Claudine Marano, a current board member and policy chair, said the community has many questions about how middle-school and elementary construction will proceed and expressed confidence in the superintendent and business administrator to “manage that system and make sure we have the least disruption possible.”

Other implementation details raised included personnel and resource moves tied to grade shifts. Katie Berman noted logistical issues such as whether libraries and instructional materials tailored to third-graders should move with students or remain at lower-elementary sites. Saima Bhutta and other candidates said shifting grades will likely require additional teachers in lower grades and urged planning for staffing needs.

On facilities and systems, Ayesha Hassan and other candidates welcomed HVAC and flood-mitigation upgrades included in the referendum. Hassan said she discussed possible alternative funding with the superintendent to “ease this burden,” noting community concern about the referendum’s financial impact. Candidates repeatedly emphasized the need for transparent timelines, clear communications with families and careful budget oversight as the district begins construction and grade reassignments.

The candidates’ discussion of referendum implementation at the forum focused on anticipated educational benefits, operational logistics, staffing needs and minimizing classroom disruption; no formal district actions were taken at the forum itself.