Youth sports hiring woes | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Plus, a nonprofit aims to build a school for children with autism.
Hey there, Cherry Hill.
Cherry Hill Public Schools athletics are struggling under rising hiring costs and muddled distinctions over whether referees are employees or independent contractors. Also in the latest news, township education officials are voicing concerns with how New Jersey calculates its funding for the school district, Bancroft NeuroHealth plans to build a school for kids with disabilities, and a Jersey couple is trying out nearby diners as part of their quest to eat at every one in the state.
— Laura Smythe (cherryhill@inquirer.com)
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In the world of youth sports, hiring referees and other game officials has become more expensive as the number of refs has dwindled. It’s creating a tricky situation across New Jersey, including in Cherry Hill, where athletic director Michael Beirao stretches a $130,000 referee budget across 1,800 events each academic year.
Beirao oversees Cherry Hill High Schools East and West, which have 63 varsity teams and about 60 junior varsity or freshman groups, as well as Henry C. Beck, Rosa International, and John A. Carusi Middle Schools, which each have 17 sports programs. It’s a constant financial challenge. Yet Beirao says his $130,000 is a relatively large budget in New Jersey.
Part of the puzzle at hand: Is a ref an independent contractor or an employee? Potential changes to that classification could, in the long run, create more budget challenges for athletic programs at public schools struggling to afford them.
The Inquirer’s Isabella DiAmore digs into proposed legislation that could make or break the situation.
💡 Community news
Cherry Hill-based nonprofit Bancroft NeuroHealth is looking to build a two-story school that would serve 160 children with autism and developmental disabilities on its Mount Laurel campus beginning in 2028, according to 70and73.
Brian Adoff, who grew up in Cherry Hill, is the creative mastermind behind the Museum of the Philadelphian, a temporary exhibition in Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood that humorously celebrates the city’s personality, Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr reports. The museum includes nods to a car flipped after a sporting event, a man who ate 40 rotisserie chickens in as many days, and other absurdities.
The line at the McDonald’s on Kaighns Avenue in Cherry Hill wrapped around the block Tuesday morning as eager Birds fans waited to receive free breakfast handed out by Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
The question of who owns the Flock camera at Cherry Hill Mall remains unanswered after the NBC10 investigations team looked into the matter.
🗺️ Other nearby news
Almost two dozen healthcare professionals, including a veteran emergency room doctor with 41 years of experience, have exited Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden after Virtua Health switched staffing providers.
🏫 Schools briefing
At a Department of Education event Monday, several district officials and residents voiced concerns over New Jersey’s formula for providing funding to individual districts, saying the current equation’s focus on average household income unfairly harms the township’s schools, according to 70and73.
Mike Melograna, the East boys soccer coach who has led the program for more than a decade, notched his 100th career win following a home game victory over Washington Township on Saturday, NJ.com reports.
🍽️ On our plate
Husband-and-wife duo Jon and Karri Ricklin are in the midst of a yearslong mission to eat at every diner in New Jersey. As they near the 350-meal mark, their recent conquests have included nearby spots such as Legacy Diner in Audubon, Maple Hill Restaurant in Maple Shade, and White House Restaurant in Moorestown.
🎳 Things to do
🍷 Greek Agora Festival: Keep the wine, food, music, and entertainment flowing all day at this community event, held annually since 1974. ⏰ Thursday, Oct. 8-Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church
☕ Senior Coffee & Connections: Chat up other later-in-life community members over free coffee, cider, and donuts. ⏰ Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2:30-4 p.m. 💵 Free, registration required 📍 Carman Tilelli Community Center
🌉 Bridging History — 100 Years of the Ben Franklin Bridge: Learn about the landmark’s century of history, including how it bolstered the development and growth of Cherry Hill. ⏰ Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. 💵 Free, registration preferred 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library
🏒 Flyers vs. Russia 1976: Watch the Cold War in Philly documentary, which tells the story of the politically fraught ice-rink face-off between the Philadelphia Flyers and Soviet Red Army team. ⏰ Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7-9 p.m. 💵 $36 📍 Katz JCC
🏡 On the market
This three-bedroom, three-bathroom house, built in 1950, comes with a finished basement outfitted with a bar. Located near the Haddonfield PATCO station, it also has a fenced-in backyard with a garden and a storage shed.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $425,000 | Size: 2,346 SF | Acreage: 0.19
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
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