Cherry Hill High School East has weathered a storm of administrative turnover in recent years, leaving students and faculty yearning for consistency. Into this landscape steps Dr. Neil Burti, assuming the role of interim principal following Mrs. Leslie Walker’s departure. Burti aims to provide steady leadership while guiding East through the remainder of the academic year and preparing for Dr. John Cafagna, East’s incoming permanent principal, to take over on July 1.
Burti’s career in Cherry Hill schools spans elementary, middle and high school leadership, including six years as principal of the district’s Alternative High School — now referred to as the Coles Program — where he was mentored by two veteran administrators and developed a strong foundation in supporting diverse student needs. After overseeing Bret Harte Elementary School, Burti assumed leadership of John A. Carusi Middle School, where he seamlessly guided students back to in-person learning following the COVID-19 pandemic. The culmination of his leadership in these roles has earned him recognition as Visionary Secondary Principal of the Year from the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and as Principal of the Year from the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Currently, Burti also serves as the district’s director of secondary education — a role he will balance alongside his new responsibilities at East. He emphasized that his priority would remain with East, though, with his district duties acting as a supporting role.
“East is my primary focus,” Burti said. “When I balance it with district responsibilities, those come second. Superintendent Dr. Morton has been very supportive, and my goal is to be present here, working with kids, faculty, staff and administrators at East.”
From the outset of his tenure as interim principal, Burti has expressed genuine excitement about stepping into the position by drawing on his years of experience in the Cherry Hill district. As a student-centric principal, he emphasized the dynamic rhythm of the spring semester, filled with sports playoffs, DECA competitions, the senior trip, a Model United Nations conference, Cum Laude Society inductions, prom, graduation and everything in between.
Combating prior instability, Burti hopes to prioritize visibility and a steadfast presence throughout the building rather than altering policies. During his first week at East, each morning, he has stood outside the student entrance to greet students as they arrive. Even if a student approaches with their head down, Burti makes it his personal goal to help them start their day on a positive note through a warm welcome. He regards his daily interactions in the hallways, cafeterias and outside the student entrance as essential to cultivating a steady, approachable presence that molds East’s culture.
“You’re going to see me at drop-off, in the cafeterias, in the hallways and at sporting events,” said Burti. “The most important job you have is visibility and presence. Smiling at kids as they walk into the building, saying good morning and passing people in the hallway — that builds trust.”
As interim principal, Burti’s immediate goal, therefore, is to provide stability while maintaining the continuity and focus necessary for students to finish the year strong. His presence, combined with years of district experience, positions him to support the school and administration during this transition.
Once Burti’s tenure as interim concludes, Cafagna will take over as East’s permanent principal. As director of secondary education, Burti played an integral role in the permanent principal selection process, which began with district screening followed by scenario-based evaluations to test candidates’ problem-solving and decision-making on situations specific to East.
After narrowing the field to two finalists, the district gleaned input from multiple stakeholders. Student committees — drawn from culture clubs, athletes and the Student Government Association — met with the finalists, in addition to two separate East faculty and PTA panels. Each group followed a scripted set of questions and submitted feedback through an online platform. Interestingly, panelists could submit unlimited comments on this platform, which posed the potential to skew results but also provided an opportunity to leave additional reflections after meeting both finalists. Considering the stakeholder feedback, Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton conducted final interviews — for which Burti was present — and ultimately selected Cafagna to serve as East’s permanent principal.
“Dr. Cafagna brings stability at a time when it’s needed most,” Burti said. “He knows the kids, understands the culture and has a proven track record. I’ve seen firsthand how compassionate, student-centered and thoughtful he is in every role he takes on, making him the right choice for East.”
Despite observing the recent administrative turnover at East, the district stuck with this selection process, and Burti expressed confidence in its reliability.
“There’s been turnover at East, and that can shake a community,” said Burti. “But I’d like to believe the process is not flawed. We aimed to get the best candidate for the school, and I think we did.”
In the meantime, Burti will continue to lead East, focusing on making the final months of the school year productive and positive for students and faculty alike.
“My job is to bridge the gap between Mrs. Walker and Dr. Cafagna, to make sure students have an amazing end to the school year and to leave the building in good hands,” Burti said.
