Few Changes for Colls School Board in 2013

The Collingswood Board of Education will retain its top two leaders, as decided in a low-key reorganization meeting Monday night.

The board unanimously handed over the gavel to last session's president, James Hatzell, to hold the same post in the upcoming year. Joan Smith will again serve as vice president; also a unanimous decision.

With no sweeping changes or big-ticket policy items on the slate, the school board breezed through its reorganization meeting. The only thing new to come about was a first-year school board member.

Terry Moody, a newcomer elected in November, took the oath of office, along with re-elected board members Hatzell and Kathleen McCarthy.

It’s business as usual for the school board in 2013, Hatzell said after the meeting.

“This board is a really high-functioning group and we do our job well. I think we do a really good job of keeping out of the administration of the schools,” he said.

“It should be a seamless transition with Mr. Moody, who is replacing a very valuable school board member, Louis Evangelista," Hatzell said.

“We’ll continue to fight for student achievement and do it in the most efficient manner possible. That’s what we’re all about.”