Cherry Hill school superintendent has been recruited to a Pa. district
The Rose Tree Media school board said Joseph Meloche has emerged as the unanimous choice to become its next schools chief.
Cherry Hill School Superintendent Joseph N. Meloche has been tapped to become schools chief of the Rose Tree Media School District in Pennsylvania, ending his eight-year tenure as superintendent in South Jersey.
Meloche confirmed his possible departure in a message Monday morning to the community, and is expected to finish out the current school year. He did not respond to requests seeking additional comment.
“There are, and will be, more words and thoughts to share as we move forward together during the next three months,” Meloche wrote. “I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible as we finish the 2022-2023 academic year.”
The Rose Tree Media district in Delaware County selected Meloche for the job after a national search, community forums, and interviews, said Ken Dinitz, board vice president. The nine-member board is expected to officially vote on the recommended appointment Thursday night.
Dinitz said the board plans to offer Meloche a five-year contract to oversee the K-12 district of about 4,000 students and six schools. Details of the agreement were not immediately available.
“We’re all really enthusiastic about this choice,” Dinitz said Monday. Meloche would begin the position July 1, if approved, he said. He would succeed Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, who retired in 2022. An interim superintendent has been running the district.
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Known for his penchant for wearing bowties, Meloche was named superintendent in Cherry Hill in 2015 and earned $204,324 last year. His contract was set to expire in 2026.
“It’s certainly bittersweet,” said board president Miriam Stern. “He’s been so much a part of this district.”
In a statement released by the Rose Tree Media district, Meloche said: “I am thrilled to join the dedicated faculty and staff of the Rose Tree Media School District. There has been such a discernible sense of pride throughout this process, reflecting the heart of the educational community. I am excited to begin meeting students, families, staff members, and community members as we embark on this journey together.”
The Cherry Hill school board will vote on Meloche’s submission of departure at its March 28 meeting, according to district spokesperson Barbara Wilson. The board will then determine a timeline and next steps for naming a replacement at an April 11 meeting, she said.
Meloche, who was named the 2021 New Jersey Association of School Administrators State Superintendent of the Year, became superintendent after serving as an assistant superintendent and principal. He is the first district alumnus to serve as the superintendent. He previously was a teacher in the Willingboro and Maple Shade school systems.
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The Cherry Hill district is among the largest school systems in New Jersey with 19 schools, enrolling more than 11,000 students in the sprawling township of nearly 75,000 residents.
Under Meloche’s leadership, the district became the first in the state in 2021 to mandate an African American history course for graduation. Last year, voters approved a $363 million school bond referendum, New Jersey’s largest in at least a decade.
In the Facebook group Cherry Hill United, residents offered mixed opinions on his tenure. By midafternoon, there were more than 157 comments on a post with the Rose Tree Media announcement.
“Did I always agree with Dr. Meloche, no, but I will not dance on his grave either,” wrote Jim Neary.
Larry Wang responded: “I’ll be dancing. Glad he’s leaving and hoping all students get a fair and equal education in our Cherry Hill schools.”
Jody Santangelo called his pending departure a good move for Meloche and the district. “One can only handle this important, but stressful job for so long. And the district sometimes needs a new vision!”
Stern said the board would likely name an interim superintendent to allow for a smooth transition with Meloche. This will be the first superintendent search conducted by the current board.
“We want to do a very through search for the best superintendent,” Stern said. “This is a big change for us.”