Cherry Hill Public Schools will be losing a familiar face in their administration, as superintendent Maureen Reusche will leave the district after the 2014–15 school year.
School district public information officer Barbara Wilson confirmed Reusche’s departure last Thursday. Reusche will leave the school district to take the superintendent position at the Haverford Township School District in Pennsylvania on July 1.
Reusche came to Cherry Hill Public Schools in July of 2011, taking over after the retirement of former superintendent David Campbell. She had previously served as an assistant superintendent in the school district from 2007 to 2011, supervising the offices of curriculum, assessment and research, special education, and student services. Previously, she was assistant superintendent in Radnor, Pa. from 2003 to 2007.
The Cherry Hill board of education released a statement last Thursday expressing disappointment in Reusche’s decision. However, they acknowledged the growth the school district has seen in the nearly four years she has been superintendent.
“Under Dr. Reusche’s leadership, our district became home to some of the most talented, experienced and caring administrative leaders in the state, both at the building level and in central administration, and we are confident that the district will continue to move forward with district initiatives during the transition process to a new superintendent,” the board said.
The district has undergone a number of changes during Reusche’s tenure, including the lengthening of the school day at the middle and high school levels and overseeing curriculum and technology changes coming with the implementation of Common Core Standards in New Jersey.
One initiative Reusche took the lead on just after she was hired was making the schools more sustainable. One of the first people she reached out to was Lori Braunstein, founder of Sustainable Cherry Hill.
“She contacted me in my role as founder of Sustainable of Cherry Hill and was interested in making this be one of her priorities,” Braunstein said.
Last year, the school district unveiled a sustainability plan for the school district. The plan outlined programs and ideas the district would pursue in the coming years. This year, one of those goals came to fruition as the district joined Sustainable Schools for Jersey.
Braunstein credits Reusche for having the drive to bring sustainability to the district.
“It was really through her leadership and having that really be her vision and have that be as an inspiration,” Braunstein said.
Reusche has also helped the district forge a greater partnership with Cherry Hill Township. Mayor Chuck Cahn came into office in 2012, just six month after Reusche arrived. The two have worked closely in the three-plus years since.
“Dr. Reusche and I have built a strong, positive relationship over the course of the last three years, and I know that we share similar views on the importance of public education and investing in Cherry Hill’s schools,” Cahn said in a statement. “I have always appreciated Dr. Reusche’s willingness to work together with the township on so many issues, and I wish her all the best in her new position.”
The board of education plans to begin their search for a new superintendent immediately.
