Dr. Kurt Braddock has resigned from the Cherry Hill Board of Education, leaving the board with a seat to fill.

Board member Gina Winters announced the resignation during the new business portion of the board's Tuesday, Oct. 13, work session, according to meeting minutes posted on BoardDocs. The minutes did not include a reason for Braddock's departure, and he was not listed among the six members present at the meeting.

Under New Jersey law, the remaining board members have 65 days to appoint a replacement. If the board does not act within that window, the executive county superintendent makes the appointment, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Opioid funds head to schools

At the same meeting, the board approved a memorandum of agreement with Cherry Hill Township directing opioid settlement funds toward expanded school-based mental health services. The resolution passed as part of a consent agenda covering all business and facilities items. Board members Candi Cummings, Dean Drizin, Adam Greenbaum, Melissa Manzano, Miriam Stern and Winters all voted yes.

The agreement formalizes a $240,000 contribution the township council approved ahead of the Philadelphia Inquirer's Sept. 23 report on the allocation. The money comes from the township's opioid settlement fund balance of about $764,000 and will support a licensed mental health clinician working with high school students over two years.

Mayor David Fleisher called the contribution "great example of where we have a very specific targeted need and we know the challenges of mental health," the Inquirer reported.

Budget calendar and other action

The board also reviewed the budget preparation calendar for the 2027-28 school year during the work session. Committee reports covered curriculum and instruction, business and facilities, human resources, and policy and legislation, all from meetings held the week of Oct. 5.

In other action, the board approved a special education settlement agreement, a Family Friendly Centers grant renewal, a College Board Innovation Zone micro grant and several transportation and facilities resolutions. All consent items passed unanimously.

Ten residents spoke during the meeting's two public comment periods. Howard Stein raised solar energy possibilities, Mindy Rosen commented on outstanding Office for Civil Rights complaints, and Rick Short addressed leadership concerns and capital project fund transfers. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

The board's next steps on filling Braddock's seat have not been announced.