Voorhees board advances multiple policy reads, personnel actions; public asks about nepotism and superintendent search
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The board approved first‑ and second‑read policies recommended by the policy committee, approved routine personnel items, and heard public questions about a revised nepotism policy and criteria for a superintendent search.
The Voorhees Township School District board moved to approve multiple policy items and personnel recommendations brought forward by their committees, and a resident raised concerns about a proposed nepotism policy change.
The policy committee reported its Jan. 20 meeting and recommended full‑board approval for a set of policies on first read, including policy 0142.1 (nepotism), policy 1220 (employment of chief school administrator), and policies and regulations on harassment, resource material and library material. The committee also recommended a second‑read approval for policy 9280 (parent conferences) and noted a minor typographical correction.
The board president called for a motion to approve the first‑read items; the motion was moved and seconded and the board secretary recorded the motion as passing unanimously. A separate motion to approve the listed policy for second read also passed unanimously.
During public comment, a resident asked whether the revised nepotism policy would permit a board member or the superintendent to have a relative employed by the district. The resident said, "But on the nepotism policy bylaws, on page 2 of 3... we're now revising it that a districted, board member or superintendents, can have a position in the district, a relative or something." The board president responded that input on superintendent search criteria will come from the board, administration and community and that the district uses multiple processes to gather that input.
On personnel matters, the personnel committee reported several staff resignations (eight positions) and that four offers had been extended to fill four of those vacancies (including three classroom teachers). The committee also discussed the retirement of Clark Mathis and is recommending creation of a policy to memorialize current practice for substitutes and lunch aides working in the same school as their children.
Motions to approve all items under personnel as recommended by the superintendent were moved, seconded and recorded as passed.
The board did not adopt final policy changes tonight; several items were on first read and will return for subsequent board action.