In 2015, there will be some new faces on the Moorestown Board of Education. Leaving the board in 2015 were A. Leigh Powell, Christina Zajac and board president Don D. Mishler. Newly elected to the board are Peter Palko, Ann Marie Casinelli and Caryn Shaw.
With the change, there will be new hats that members of the board will have to wear. The reorganization meeting for the BOE will be Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the William Allen Middle School. During that meeting, leadership will change, and with that change “is an opportunity to reflect on what has been the past norm and what deserves to continue and what deserves to be reconsidered,” Mishler said.
In regard to any new policies or committees, the new leadership will address them with input from all board members and the administration. However no specifics were provided. If there is a need for a new policy or committee within the new year, it will most likely be addressed by the new board.
“Our committee structure has evolved over the years as circumstances have changed. There is no reason to expect that the evolution will stop in 2015. Generally, the committees are built around significant issues that require the board’s attention by law, by the commitment of funds and other important issues,” Mishler said.
A big question that residents might be wondering is, where is Moorestown Township Public Schools on the projects with the bond referendum? The Building Excellence Bond Referendum, passed in September, authorized the district to raise funds through the sale of bonds to finance improvements to all six of the district’s school buildings. ROD grants were pledged by the state for $13.7 million, while bonds would have to make up for the remaining total of $42.8 million.
According to Mishler, the design phase is underway. When completed, bids will be solicited.
“Our architect is leading the current phase under the watchful eye of our construction manager. Once bids are awarded, the construction can begin,” Mishler said.
The bond referendum represents many projects, some of them affecting all schools and some affecting individual schools. However, all require a good deal of pre-planning beyond just the design, Mishler said. Several projects will begin and be completed during the summer of 2015.
“Starts dates are uncertain as of now, but we expect to complete many of the projects during the summer of 2015,” Mishler said. “The goal is to minimize disruption, but, eventually, there will be some. The goal is to coordinate in such a way as to minimize that disruption.”
Also, in 2015, it is likely that the BOE will begin a long-term strategic planning process, according to Mishler. This should create a need for community input in various phases of the development of the plan.
Big events for the schools include a multitude of art-filled performances in 2015. The MoorArts Gala will be on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Moorestown Community House. The evening of performances and fine arts is a fundraiser for MoorArts that features select vocal and instrumental entertainment, an exhibition and online sale of exceptional art and wine and craft beer, gourmet food and dessert stations. Tickets are $85 before Jan. 15 and $100 after. For more information, go to www.moorarts.org.
The Moorestown High School Pops Vocal Concert will be Feb. 5 with a snow date of Feb. 6. The Band Pops Concert will be March 12. Also at MHS, the spring musical is Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” and received 14 Tony Award nominations. The shows are to be performed on Feb. 27 and 28 and March 6 and 7. To learn more, visit moorestownhstheater.weebly.com.
The William Allen Middle School will also be performing a musical, “Willy Wonka Jr.,” based on the original book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. Performances will be Feb. 19 through 21.
For more information, visit the William Allen Middle School website under the Athletics and Activities tab for the WAMS Theater webpage.
For a full list of Moorestown Township Public School events, a calendar can be found on the MTPS website at www.mtps.com under Upcoming Events.
