Resident says Yale contract is crowding DeMacy classrooms, urges board to consider alternatives

A resident urged the Evesham Township School District Board of Education to consider classroom-space impacts before renewing a contract with a program referred to in public comment as "Yale."

Kelly Wilk of 28 Paddock Road told the board she does not know the contract's specifics but said DeMacy Elementary and DeMacy Middle are experiencing acute space shortages this school year. She described multi‑language learners and students receiving INRS (intervention) instruction sharing classroom space: "You could have 3 classes, each full of high needs learners in 1 room, all being taught at the same time. This is not an optimal learning environment."

Wilk said library and Spanish classes are now sharing the same open library space, limiting both groups' experiences: "There is no wall starting to do classes, only shelves of books. This puts limits on our students' library experience and on our students' Spanish class experience." She asked the board to research classroom configurations, speak with staff and consider alternative arrangements if the Yale contract is renewed.

Superintendent Dr. Smith acknowledged receiving an email earlier in the day from the commenter and told the speaker he would follow up after the meeting.

Discussion vs. decision: These remarks were public comment. The transcript does not record a board decision about the Yale contract or any formal motion to renew or cancel it during this meeting.

Why it matters: Community members said classroom configuration affects instruction and student experience; the board will be the body to review any contract renewal.