Sandy Shuffles Haddonfield School Schedule

Haddonfield students will have to make up two out of three school days lost to power outages and downed trees during Superstorm Sandy. The school district already has one extra day built in to the school calendar so students and teachers will only be required to make up two of the three days missed during the aftermath of the storm.

The February break over Presidents Day weekend will be shortened by one day with students back to school on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Spring break will also be shortened by one day with students returning to school on Monday, April 1.

Special board meeting Nov. 27

The board will hold a special meeting on Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school library to discuss the wording on the bond referendum for the Bancroft initiative. The public is encouraged to attend.

Recently, a group called Haddonfield United launched a “Vote No” campaign on its Facebook page to rouse public support against the purchase of the Bancroft property. School Superintendent Richard Perry said he is unfamiliar with the group's stance on the Bancroft initiative.

But, Perry said, "Once the Bancroft property is lost, it is lost." 

"The district is making the decision to pursue the Bancroft property based on that tradition for current and future residents to enjoy Haddonfield as we know it," Perry said. "In terms of education and the community, the Bancroft property backs directly to the high school. If the property goes to a developer, there will be a negative effect on both the high school and the community. Perry believes this as an opportunity to benefit us in the future in many ways."

Finance

Dennis Kelleher reported that a formal report of the district audit will be presented at the Dec. 13 BOE meeting. The district received notice of new rates for health insurance. A 14.5 percent increase was more than the 10 percent increase the district had budgeted. The district will make up the 4.5 percent difference with cost savings from teacher contributions and changes in the statewide opt out process.

Tuition students

Tuition students for grades six through 12 account for 3.2 percent of total enrollment. Board member Joe Ehrhardt reported that his committee is working on ways to market the tuition program while maintaining an optimal class size at the high school.

The district had to close the number of tuition students in the current freshman class. Ehrhardt said, “It looks like we will have to close it again this year if the open house is any indication.” Tuition students are on a first come, first served “selective” basis, which depends on an interview with administrators to determine if the student will be a good fit. A student can be admitted but must make a $500 deposition to guarantee a spot. Once a tuition student is accepted, the district will guarantee a spot for that student throughout high school.