Parents and teachers oppose leasing DeMacy classrooms to Yale; board approves finance items except one

At a board meeting of the Evesham Township School District, parents, teachers and a student urged the Board of Education to reject a proposed lease that would place students from Yale in classrooms at DeMacy Elementary, saying the plan would displace existing fourth- and fifth-grade classes into smaller, windowless rooms and force teachers to work “on a cart.”

The objections focused on classroom space, loss of pod-based learning for older elementary students and a lack of consultation with DeMacy teachers and families. Public commenters also noted the lease in the meeting minutes was listed as “pending final legal approval.” Ms. Gifford told the board she had heard from Yale’s attorneys with final suggested changes mid‑afternoon, but parents said they had not been consulted about the new placement plan.

Why it matters: Parents said the proposed room changes would affect daily routines, specials (art and computers), and the fifth graders’ anticipated move into the pod that serves as a hub for larger-group activities. Several speakers said the disruption would harm student learning and morale and expressed frustration that the decision was made without soliciting teachers’ or parents’ input.

Parents and teachers described specific changes they say would follow from the lease. “There is no space,” said Maureen Holbrook, a DeMacy teacher. “K? We do have space if a dozen teachers have to relocate, or worse, lose their classrooms altogether, which is what is happening.” Fifth grader Matthew Broadbent told the board the rooms proposed for his class are too small to fit desks and questioned where art and specials would be held. “My art teacher doesn't deserve to be moved either,” he said. Kelly Broadbent, a DeMacy parent, asked the board to “please vote against this lease agreement tonight.”

Board action and process details: The board considered multiple agenda items under finance and operations. The motion to approve finance and operations items (10.1 through 10.17) was made by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Peelman. The board approved the finance package with the exception of item 10.16, which the board did not approve. Mr. Yates conducted the roll call. The meeting minutes as posted indicate the lease agreement for DeMacy Elementary and Marlton Middle School was “pending final legal approval.” Ms. Gifford told the board attorneys for Yale had responded that afternoon with final changes to the district’s suggested edits.

Discussion versus decision: Speakers consistently urged the board to reconsider the planned classroom assignments and to distribute Yale classrooms across other spaces rather than concentrate them in DeMacy’s pod. Several parents described the plan as a “square peg, round hole” and asked the superintendent and board to prioritize DeMacy students’ existing classroom space. The board did not, during the public comment period reflected in the transcript, take a final vote specifically labeled “approve lease” on the floor; the transcript shows legal review was pending and that most finance items were approved while 10.16 was not.

Next steps: The lease remains contingent on legal review and any outstanding negotiations. Board members and district staff said they would continue work on the finances and contracts; parents requested broader consultation with teachers and families before any final placements are made.