Dr. Courtney McNeely began her career in the classroom at Northern Burlington Regional School District as a middle-school English teacher.
Moorestown’s new school superintendent Dr. Courtney McNeely assumed her duties last month, with a warm welcome from residents.
“We’ve had a great opportunity for me to get to know the board and as (Mark) Villanueva put it, ‘We’ve found our person that’s going to stay,’ and I will stay,” said McNeely, who was named superintendent last year. “ … It’s an exciting time for the district, and so I feel that energy in my entry. Everyone has been extremely supportive.”
McNeely began her career in the classroom at Northern Burlington Regional School District, where she was a middle-school English teacher for 12 years. She then spent six years as a cabinet member and director of humanities. For the next four years, McNeely took on the role of assistant superintendent at Buena Regional before becoming the superintendent in Pittsgrove.
McNeely’s leadership style, passion for education and focus on building trusting relationships align with Moorestown’s mission to provide a top-tier education to all students.
“Coming to a new community is learning what that community values and ensuring that my leadership and the school is a reflection of community values,” McNeely noted. “Growing up in this area and having attended a neighboring district, it’s amazing to come back to these hallways that I walked as a high-school student going to a basketball game or out on the field playing field hockey …
“I always held Moorestown in such high regard,” she added, “and to come back and have that respect I think is comforting to people. It’s also really comforting to me because it feels like home. It feels like I’m able to settle and really dig in with the good people here so that they have consistency.”
McNeely pointed out that among the district’s long-term goals is to upgrade its schools through a bond referendum.
“As far as my vision, right now it’s truly this idea of improving our facilities, getting the kids what they need, making space for them to learn and feel like they can be at their home schools again,” she explained. “That’s a big deal at the elementary level right now.”
McNeely was named superintendent after a search process informed by input from the community.
“I’m proud to be here, and we are going to do great work together,” she promised. “I’m looking forward to that partnership. It’s time to build communication and build trust together so that we can make positive impacts for the students.”
In other school news, the board of education announced that the district’s referendum vote has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16, and that it will update the community on that in the next few months.
