Five Things You Need to Know About Tuesday's Board of Ed Meeting

Cinnaminson’s met Tuesday night at the middle school cafetorium. Here are five things the came out the meeting:

1. It’s likely Cinnaminson won’t join Medford schools in charging student teachers to work in the district. Medford made the change last month as a revenue-generating tactic. Cinnaminson board member James Herschel called Medford’s move “ludicrous.” Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi agreed, noting it does not cost Cinnaminson anything to host student teachers and, if anything, “we are the beneficiaries.”

2. The board had a first reading of a revised harassment, intimidation and bullying policy, with changes mandated by the state. While acknowledging the importance of a strong policy and saying that Cinnaminson does not “in any way turn a deaf ear” to bullying, Illuzzi criticized the state mandates as overreaching. Specifically, he took issue with a requirement to print out the 25-page policy annually for every district parent, noting that the costs would be astronomical. The board is researching whether a Web publication will suffice.

3. Six weeks after voters rejected the 2011-12 district budget, the school board finally adopted a final spending plan. Last month, the township committee cut $230,000 from the defeated budget. Of the $41.7 million budget, $28.4 million will come from taxes.

4. The board accepted the retirements of several district staff members, including Charles Spreter. He has served as a bus driver for the district for 10-and-a-half years. Students used to seeing Spreter on their routes may be in luck—he could return as a substitute driver as needed.

5. The school board recognized more than 150 Cinnaminson students for individual achievements over the past school year. Read the full story .