Changes at the top for Cherry Hill, Washington Township school districts
CHERRY HILL - School Superintendent Joseph Meloche is expected to take the top job at a Pennsylvania district, the second top-level change at a major South Jersey school system in recent weeks.
Meloche, who has led Cherry Hill's school system since August 2015, will oversee the Rose Tree Media district in Delaware County, according to a statement.
Monday's announcement came about three weeks after Washington Township's school board announced the hiring of a new superintendent, Eric Hibbs.
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Hibbs currently is superintendent of a smaller K-8 district in Marlboro, Monmouth County, and is a former South Jersey educator.
Joseph Meloche leaving Cherry Hill for smaller district
In a letter to the community, Meloche said the Pennsylvania district's school board is to vote on his appointment Thursday, March 23.
A statement from Rose Tree Media was more definitive, saying Meloche would start July 1 as "the next district superintendent."
The Pennsylvania district has about 4,000 students in five elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.
The Cherry Hill district has about 10,700 students in 19 schools, including two high schools, an alternative high school program, and three middle schools.
It also holds 12 elementary schools and an early childhood center.
The letter from Meloche, a Cherry Hill native known for his bow ties, did not address his thoughts about leaving the South Jersey district.
Meloche 'thrilled' by new post
"There are, and will be, more words and thoughts to share" over the next three months, he said in his brief letter.
But in the statement from Rose Tree Media, Meloche said he was "thrilled to join the dedicated faculty and staff" of the Pennsylvania district.
A contract for Meloche, approved in August 2021, was to run through June 30, 2026.
Meloche would be leaving Cherry Hill after a big success — voter approval for a $363 million project to upgrade all district schools.
During his tenure, Meloche implemented full-day kindergarten and backed a district decision to make an African American Studies course a graduation requirement, starting with the class of 2025.
A district representative said Meloche also included student voices in discussions about summer-reading assignments, dress code and school start times.
Among other honors, he was named 2021 Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
The 30-year educator previously was an assistant superintendent and principal at three Cherry Hill schools he attended as a student - Kingston Elementary, Carusi Middle and Cherry Hill High School West.
New superintendent in Washington Township
In Washington Township, Hibbs will oversee a district with about 7,000 students in 11 schools. The district has an early childhood center, six elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.
He replaces former Superintendent Joseph Bollendorf, whose seven-year tenure ended in June 2022.
A former district teacher and administrator, Jack McGee, has served as interim superintendent.
Under Hibbs, the Marlboro district established a full-day kindergarten program and was recognized for having a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.
Hibbs formerly was superintendent and director of curriculum for Mount Holly schools and held administrative positions in the Runnemede district.
Hibbs started as a teacher in Southampton in 1998.
He holds a bachelor's degree from University of Pittsburgh, and a teaching certification, master’s and doctorate degree in educational leadership, all from Rowan University.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Cherry Hill school superintendent Joseph Meloche expected to leave
