Cherry Hill School Board Condemns Racist Language Used At Meeting

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The Cherry Hill Board of Education is denouncing the use of racist language following this week’s board meeting.

A member of the community repeatedly referred to members of the school district’s staff as “colored staff” during the board’s meeting Tuesday, according to school officials.

“The Superintendent of Schools and two of our board members immediately after the public comment session – before the close of the meeting – denounced the use of this racist, derogatory, demeaning word,” the school board said in a message to the community Thursday morning. “As a board, we clearly state that this racist term is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any form of communication to or with the board, nor will any language that demeans or dehumanizes be allowed in the future.”

The board reiterated its commitment to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect, including at meetings that take place outside the school day.

“We do not discriminate on the basis of color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status or disability,” the board said. “We expect that when we invite members of the community to participate in meetings and events, they will do so in a respectful manner.”

The board shared the school district’s policies and practices that are in place to ensure that that goal is met. It also reminded members of the community that guidance counselors are available in every school building, and that the district has additional mental health resources available on its website.

“All of us who serve on the Board of Education are either parents in this school district or have raised our children in this school district,” the board said. “We know that at all times, words matter. We thank the community members who have reached out to us. We look forward to continuing our work and our dialog with the community in an atmosphere of respect.”

The statement comes ahead of the community’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration set for June 19 at Croft Farm. Read more here: Cherry Hill Set For Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration

Last year, the holiday was put in the public spotlight as people around the nation – including Cherry Hill – demanded social change and police reform in the wake of George Floyd's death.
Cherry Hill Superintendent of Schools Joseph Meloche spoke at a rally at the Cherry Hill Library, promising to do more as a school district to show that it is anti-racist.

"We have been recognized as a National School District of Character," Meloche said during that rally. "But we must do more. We must be recognized as a district and a community that is anti-racist. It's not enough to admire what we've done in the past. More must be done."

Read more here: Juneteenth March/Protest Focuses On Education In Cherry Hill