So far, a busy year
By LINDSAY HICKS
Cherry Hill Sun
11/9/2006

Numerous issues have confronted new Cherry Hill schools superintendent

Cherry Hill Public Schools Superintendent David Campbell inherited a slew of issues upon entering the district four months ago, but the International Baccalaureate Program remains a primary focus as he works toward determining the best options for the district’s future.

The superintendent said ensuring a smooth opening day despite construction, taking a stand against the proposed Route 70 adult bookstore and becoming oriented to his new environment were among the consuming topics of his first few months, but IB takes the lead with regard to time and attention.

Former Superintendent Morton Sherman implemented the program, which emphasizes analytical thinking, public speaking and thought-organization as a way of helping students effectively draw conclusions about lessons taught in school.

The board asked Interim Superintendent Tim Brennan to study the program for a year in order to decide whether scheduling changes necessary to the alternative educational approach should be made, a task Campbell continued when the district hired him July 1.

Campbell made learning about the IB program his first priority as superintendent, undertaking a process that began with research and continues with meetings and visits with principals.

The superintendent read everything related to the program in the district archives, he said, including data available regarding the degree to which the program has been successful.

He’s in the middle of the first round of visits to all 19 schools to inquire about academic achievement, safety and IB with every principal. Campbell will then return for round two to focus on “where the action really is” – the classrooms.

The superintendent said he might go further in his research by exploring a “selective survey opportunity,” but that would depend on Research and Assessment Coordinator Ashaki Coleman’s evaluation of the program based on data collection and analysis over the next few months.

Campbell said he would then decide whether it was necessary to complete a supplemental survey, taking into account any opinions expressed by staff, families and students not necessarily in agreement with the study’s conclusions.

“There are very strong opinions from a variety of divergent viewpoints,” Campbell said.

Questions about the IB program, in which students undertake highly challenging, supplemental work and receive a special diploma recognized by universities around the world, revolve around its effect on scheduling and distribution of district resources.

The biggest challenge the superintendent faces regarding the IB issue involves those who let their strong feelings about the topic interfere with finding the middle ground, which Campbell characterizes as a win-win approach.

There is no such thing as a school program that everyone involved in the district approves, according to Campbell, who promised to continue sorting out the facts and opinions before making any decisions.

The only decision Campbell made clear thus far is that the full implementation of the IB program, if proven successful, would happen at the start of the 2007-2008 school year, making the transition as smooth as possible for students and teachers.

Meanwhile, the superintendent voices an unyielding opinion on at least one other major issue facing Cherry Hill residents and officials: a business owner’s fight to open an adult store despite opposition from Council and community members.

“We have pledged to support the township and the mayor, because anything that could potentially put our kids at risk is something that we have a concern about,” he said. “I don’t think you could be an advocate of young people and be supportive of that particular business venture.”

Campbell has spoken about the issue on several occasions and will answer the board’s request to write a formal resolution regarding the district’s concern about the business.

Experienced superintendents expect the unexpected, he said, and as much they would like to anticipate everything that might happen, no honest administrator would deny that unforeseen incidents come across their desk once in a while, such as the recent case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in Russell Knight Elementary School.

He has also had to deal with a bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax.

Campbell wouldn’t reveal details of the threat investigation, so as not to increase the district’s vulnerability, but said security personnel have learned things over the years that enabled them to determine it was a prank.

“If you’re a thinking person and a superintendent, you expect to face that challenge every couple of years,” he said.

The superintendent said that although he has not yet fully settled into the 19-school district, he will continue to keep lines of communication open as he becomes better connected with the Cherry Hill Public School District.