The BOE recognized retirees, science fair participants and the unified basketball team.
The Moorestown Township Public Schools Board of Education dedicated much of the April meeting to recognizing staff and students for their accomplishments.
Superintendent Scott McCartney recognized five staff members who will be retiring this year.
South Valley Elementary School head custodian Bradley Egner, who says one of the best parts of his job is working with students, will be retiring after 30 years of service to the district.
“He, as head custodian, is truly responsible for the safety and welfare of our students and staff,” Director of Personnel Gail Reicheg said. “His service and expertise to our Moorestown students is greatly appreciated.”
High school guidance counselor Stephen McGair will be retiring after 28 years of service. McGair, who noted a handful of employees in the district were his former students, says his favorite part of the job is hearing from former students about their life choices and accomplishments.
“I’ve enjoyed the kids immensely,” McGair said. “I’m very proud and honored to have served in such a high-quality district as this one.”
McGair has also served as a social studies teacher and a varsity basketball coach.
“There is nothing more important than providing service and support to our students,” McCartney said.
High school secretary Maureen Rust will also be retiring after 25 years of service.
“If you’ve ever had a great secretary, you know they are your right hand and your left hand,” McCartney said.
Rust is also the proud parent of a Moorestown graduate of the class of 2007.
“Her ability to keep things organized in a fast-paced environment has been greatly appreciated,” Reicheg said.
Reicheg was among those recognized, as she will retire at the end of the school year. McCartney called Reicheg a welcoming force in the district.
“She has a pleasant demeanor and a smile,” McCartney said. “She will be a loss in our district.”
Bus driver Vincent DeLuccia will also be retiring but was not present at the meeting.
“We look forward to hearing from each of you about what life brings, and you’re always welcome here. You’re part of the Moorestown family,” McCartney said.
McCartney also recognized the high school’s unified basketball team, which recently won the Shriver Cup Championship game at Princeton University. The team is comprised of students both with and without special needs.
“It was a highlight for our students, for our staff and really a great accomplishment,” McCartney said.
Science supervisor Gavin Quinn recognized multiple students for their achievements at local science fairs.
“The science fair is something you do on top of your regular responsibilities. It’s not easy,” Quinn said. “The fact that we have students participating and, more importantly succeeding, at these events is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”
High school students Wesley Liu, Sukhdeep Jaswal, Andrew Chen and Aakash Pillai participated in the Coriell Science Fair. Sukhdeep and Andrew both received honorable mentions, and Aakash earned second place overall.
William W. Allen Middle School students Maya Butani, Annabelle Jin, Flavien Moise, Jane Cohen, Hardik Bhardwaj, Nathan Krachman, Robert Woltjen and Lukas Patruskey also participated in the Coriell Science Fair. Maya placed second overall, Annabelle placed third in chemistry, Flavien placed first in engineering, Jane placed first in microbiology and won a best of fair award, Harik won first in physics and Nathan, Robert and Lukas all received honorable mentions.
At the Moorestown Upper Elementary School level, Deven Chakrabarti, Raghav Akula, Shrish Bayyapu, Viraj Pentapalli, James Tarengelo, Joseph Tang and Trisha Seth completed at the same fair. Devin placed first in chemistry, Raghav, Shrish and Viraj received first place for their team project and James and Joseph placed second overall for their team project.
Four students — Maya, Flavien, Jane and Hardik — moved on to complete at the Delaware Valley Regional Science Fair. Maya took first place in chemistry and received four additional awards. Flavien, Jane and Harik all received honorable mentions.
“This is a great event. It’s a learning process,” Quinn said. “It’s something that students can take a lot from as they move forward.”
In other news:
• The board discussed a policy that would add guidelines for giving homework. The guidelines would include having assignments given via technology due during normal school hours, assigning homework at least four days in advance before a holiday and not having homework due immediately upon return from a holiday.
Board member Caryn Shaw brought up the issue that the policy does not specify whether the holidays are student-recognized holidays or district-recognized holidays, and board member Sandra Alberti says she thinks it should be student-observed holidays that follow state-observed holiday guidelines.
“There are some holidays that are observed after school hours at night that do interfere with completion of homework,” Alberti said, adding Passover is not a district-observed holiday.
One teacher expressed concern over the large number of holidays students observe and how it could affect the ability to give homework. The policy will be further reviewed.
• The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the William W. Allen Middle School.
