[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6180073,"mediaKeyId","5121125-34e3edaf3fe40b4830a279282914e319","parentId",5121125,"title","Parents and teachers oppose leasing DeMacy classrooms to Yale; board approves finance items except one","audioSeconds",1713,"startMs",10163186,"endMs",11876895,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121125-34e3edaf3fe40b4830a279282914e319&start=10163&end=11876","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121125-34e3edaf3fe40b4830a279282914e319/thumbnail_10163186.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6180073/New-Jersey/Parents-and-teachers-oppose-leasing-DeMacy-classrooms-to-Yale-board-approves-finance-items-except-one","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180073-69cd2cb995f5c7a10cc1b493d54efe18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154300&Signature=TMrhAYkXKljvTOotO0IoluU7bG5MgcPa5bXeNRhCkst7GJnsDVzDImcLcBuW2OJRuV5YysW2EUhmKXxuZySD6tp~7Ue7TL24wdvw88kVS5mzm8gG~YxRWAY9BWdybO8PzH9U-PXdgd9Pqq5nk4ZHpUs9QwNSeQORT5npR-OoAM6Sx~06DXlGf7E0X9muXawb1GuomWzn9GDrFvX0rfgIefh3aZWlPOrBRjZr3s8fu1zm4UGzA2mfgph0buc2gnr7Ak6o7-xzW8l2tQeg8utZRiBQlhLuj8oXT3f8iojDFDt3FKWGziamJE6s3X~1aq66BEdzTNuDEwdCW6Sa8csw6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Evesham Township School District, NJ","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","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.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Evesham Township BOE Meeting 05.22.25 @ 6PM","oneSentenceSummary","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.”","taxTitle","Evesham Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",60060,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6180064,"Evesham district honored among top U.S. music communities; 100+ students recognized, two named All‑State",3362,6150085,9512675,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121125-34e3edaf3fe40b4830a279282914e319&start=6150&end=9512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121125-34e3edaf3fe40b4830a279282914e319/thumbnail_6150085.jpg","/articles/6180064/New-Jersey/Evesham-district-honored-among-top-US-music-communities-100-students-recognized-two-named-AllState","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180064-2a6d0a9355ea9bfd43f046b3fa0ad1e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154300&Signature=ITPXH2yK53HFciE96~xEDwWeLrZTE04B-FEin1q1D2EAX1LWmviWBWI7lg2kk~RoeTSj66LTWmaywMyLpbRaFQm1M443YCYOgEriCVezL2Rq52MTPfrBjOkKo4S--L3X4xjkz~fXIBPXkm-lVmTb5Qgn~orIW921TgGXVPp9NtQv0W0iMLFf3VeCyhYEqZrO7walpqtH8dPvBJkhGMXG9bH8h82pfYrWEQOKZ2GbIs7MRTgiwjHyKXFRAS5TtDyOrvsA2aYNslwM4u7E8-Ydz36QQ58BlIUVzVlenxk~hExYj5Evyj760EOeR5nQ2TFX4eVkQqSCMK-fVw4tLdkP8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evesham Township School District honored more than 100 students and several staff members after the district was named among the top 25 communities in music education nationwide.

Dr. Smith introduced the recognitions and said the evening’s student performances and awards exemplified the district’s commitment to arts education. Sarah Smith, orchestra director for DeMacy Middle School, DeMacy Elementary and Jaggard Elementary, brought student ensembles to perform and introduced the students who were later recognized for county, regional and state honors.

Why it matters: The recognition is national and reflects sustained district investment in music programming, which the district said requires curricular and extracurricular collaboration. District staff named dozens of students who achieved All‑South Jersey and South Jersey Honors Orchestra distinctions, and two students were recognized as All‑State performers: Cameron Motashige and Arnav (Arnab) Sethi.

Highlights and awards: The board and administrators presented certificates to students from theater and orchestra programs, announced winners of the Elks essay contest including students who placed at district and state levels, and named Lawrence Lynn as the Leroy Homer Memorial Award winner. District staff credited teachers including Vincent Pagliario, Joe Malaman, Mark White and others for their roles in instrumental and general music programming. “It is an incredible achievement,” a district staff member said of the community recognition.

Context and next steps: District leaders said they plan to continue applying for and maintaining the award, to support music education across grade levels. The district also plans to showcase student essays and performances on a district web page so families can share student work publicly.

The recognitions concluded after a long program of performances and certificate presentations; board members encouraged community attendance at upcoming events that showcase student arts achievements.","The Evesham Township School District was recognized as one of the top 25 communities in music education nationwide; the board and district staff recognized more than 100 students for orchestra, theater and essay awards and named two All‑State musicians and a Leroy Homer Memorial Award winner.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6180070,"Parents urge district to adopt research-based literacy instruction; district applied for state focus grant",2215,9886425,12102311,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121125-34e3edaf3fe40b4830a279282914e319&start=9886&end=12102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121125-34e3edaf3fe40b4830a279282914e319/thumbnail_9886425.jpg","/articles/6180070/New-Jersey/Parents-urge-district-to-adopt-research-based-literacy-instruction-district-applied-for-state-focus-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180070-dd7d497fdf6123470f1df65020de6de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154300&Signature=ISmGSQ1avD58GezHYGueKGQ6XbFuPtOKKQButQ5AcuPn-bNisIr6TXlSElTFJXWo4N4f8Y75aHT9nhh~tTcefdURl-KCRt5gUZl20QwiXyqg9lwA9wZXDN9rkwtiBMO9wGMKGL0NeKUV0WufSLK3n3zgTQGCB1v6AHuV4zJ7TiL9Bun97cenCoZLXoccZZsJ3BtjhX3JpFy1aRJEw0u~WMamY1fdRbb-IGwu8B5V1KM~ScfdwotzrKHRiDPHhxSGhHDoMvtnCjhPMwqmn-Di6xG2a1D0TQd6hjvGsXf~bIqDrkOeXs7i4qMU8M-xdakI9un9qMm9LkDVKSBCX9T-kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents and advocates told the Evesham Township Board of Education they want the district to adopt proven, research-based literacy instruction and to engage families in curriculum planning, citing state law and a small state grant the district has applied for.

Amanda Gaunt, representing Parents for Improved Literacy Outcomes, told the board the group has grown to more than 500 members and said the district’s current core early literacy program is not providing reliable evidence of effectiveness. “0. The reliable and valid data points you have demonstrating the effectiveness of the core tier 1 early literacy instruction you are providing our children,” Gaunt said, reading figures from her remarks to emphasize the lack of district-provided supporting data.

Why it matters: Speakers argued that early-grade literacy is foundational for later success and said the district should move from homemade materials to validated curricula and use available state funding. The speaker cited PL 2024 c.52, a law referenced in her remarks that reaffirms the state's focus on improving literacy outcomes, and noted the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) focus grant is available to support that work.

What the board heard: A second speaker praised the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee and asked for collaboration between the advocacy group and the curriculum department, specifically naming the director of curriculum and the supervisor of literacy as potential partners. The parent speaker said the district had been awarded a NJDOE focus grant for $17,960 and noted that item 9.5 on the meeting agenda was an approval of the district’s grant application for that amount.

Board action and follow-up: The board moved to approve items 9.1 through 9.6 (motion by Mr. DeMarcy, seconded by Mr. Thompson), and the roll call shows the curriculum items were approved. At the Curriculum Committee report later in the meeting, a board member said the district had applied for the focus grant and described plans to collaborate with parent groups to schedule meetings to discuss literacy improvements.

Requests from parents: Advocacy members asked for a district-wide curriculum survey to collect community feedback and requested a collaborative meeting with Ms. Mikulik, the curriculum director, and Miss Mindy Coffer, supervisor of literacy, to discuss next-year plans and how the grant funds will be used. Parents said they had sent a detailed email to Dr. Smith, Ms. Mikulik and the board outlining concerns and had not received a response as of the meeting.

Next steps: The district’s curriculum committee said it will attempt to schedule collaborative meetings with parent groups and the district applied for the NJDOE focus grant; parents asked for transparent reporting on how grant funds will support changes to early literacy instruction.","A parent advocacy group warned the board that current early literacy practices are ineffective and urged the district to adopt evidence-based reading curriculum; transcript shows the district applied for the NJDOE focus grant of $17,960 and the curriculum committee discussed collaboration with parent groups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

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

Evesham district honored among top U.S. music communities; 100+ students recognized, two named All‑State

Parents urge district to adopt research-based literacy instruction; district applied for state focus grant