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Residents urge Voorhees Township board to allow case-by-case exceptions in proposed reassignment
Summary
At a board meeting called to discuss the superintendent search timeline, public commenters asked the Voorhees Township Board of Education to consider limited, case-by-case exceptions to a proposed Beds Road reassignment, citing children's stability and special needs. The board took no action and moved to executive session.
Residents urged the Voorhees Township Board of Education to permit limited, case-by-case exceptions to a proposed Beds Road reassignment during public comment at a board meeting that the board said was convened to discuss the superintendent search timeline.
A resident who spoke during the public-comment period said the reassignment “appears based on projection rather than current constraints” and asked the board to consider allowing a narrow set of exceptions so younger students already established at A.D. Hamilton could remain. The resident added that transportation is not an issue for their family and noted the district has already allowed continuity for current third- and fourth-graders.
Ekaterina Kashkina, who identified herself as the wife of Iha Palashkar and a parent, told the board that for some children, particularly those “already navigating challenges or transition, a change like this is not just logistical.” She said such changes can affect a child's stability, confidence and ability to thrive, and she asked the board to consider a similar limited, case-by-case approach for younger students.
The chair reminded speakers to submit their comments in writing to Dr. Hackett for the record and follow-up. Earlier in the meeting the chair had said the evening's stated purpose was for the board to meet with consultants Hazard, Young, and Ataya and associates to discuss the timeline of the superintendent search; the chair also said the board would convene an executive session after public comment and that no action would be taken that night.
After public comments, board members moved and seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session; the board voted in favor and the chair said the session would last about 90 minutes. The board later returned to open session, moved to adjourn the meeting and voted to close.
What happens next: The chair announced the next regular meeting is scheduled for 05/06/2026 at 7 p.m. at the district Administration Building. The board did not vote on any reassignment policies at this meeting; commenters were told to submit written statements for Dr. Hackett to review.
