Former Vice Principal Dr. David Francis-Maurer’s dismissal was made final after he testified on his removal from Cherry Hill High School East for the first time during a Donaldson hearing at the Lewis Administration Building between 4:05 p.m. and 4:48 p.m. on Monday, July 7. Students, community members, and Francis-Maurer himself had the opportunity to advocate for his reinstatement before the Cherry Hill Board of Education (BOE); if five out of the nine board members voted in his favor, the termination would have been overturned.
A Donaldson hearing allows a school employee to speak publicly before the BOE about why they should be reinstated after receiving a notice of nonrenewal. The beginning of the meeting was dedicated to a 30-minute public comment period during which students and adult community members were each given three minutes to testify in Francis-Maurer’s defense. Although there is typically no time limit on public comment periods, the Donaldson hearing’s designation as a special meeting with different regulations meant a time limit was permitted and the meeting also wasn’t recorded or available on Zoom for online participants.
During the public comment period, 11 students and one parent decided to speak on their experiences with Francis-Maurer and their reasons for supporting his reinstatement.
“Students from all grades [have said that] losing [Francis-Maurer] is like losing family — like taking away a source of trust, a source of reliability — like losing a best friend,” said Leah Molavi (‘27), the organizer of the Monday, May 19 student walkout and manager of the Instagram account “dfmupdates.”
Ben Silcox (‘27) was second to testify, recounting Francis-Maurer’s devotion to providing those with learning disabilities the accommodations necessary to thrive.
“[Francis-Maurer] took the time to know me personally and how I work — how I function,” Silcox said. “I fear that if someone were to replace him, they won’t be as good with my accommodations, and I will do poorly in school.”
Providing the final testimony, Melissa Freedman, the mother of East student Logan Freedman (‘27), provided her perspective as an educator of 30 years.
“I want to remind [the BOE] of who you represent,” Freedman said. “You represent the 700 people who signed a petition [and] the 900 children who walked out peacefully without incident.”
Freedman also emphasized a lack of transparency throughout Francis Maurer’s nonrenewal situation — highlighting the inaccessibility and lack of broadcasting or recording of the Donaldson hearing, criticizing the choice to hold it during working hours because “people who want to speak aren’t capable of leaving work or [being] part of it from their desks.”
Following the period of public comment, Francis-Maurer was given 20 minutes to address the BOE in response to the reasons provided for his departure, which included a lack of professional communication and collaboration with colleagues and supervisors, a lack of professionalism in his responses and feedback, and a failure to complete certain professional responsibilities, particularly evaluation and supervision of staff. Although his attorney was present, Francis-Maurer decided to speak on his own behalf for nine minutes.
He opened by describing his proudest accomplishments during his time at East — namely, implementing new math pathways, a No Place for Hate initiative, promoting interfaith conversations during global tensions, and revamping Multicultural Day — before addressing the events preceding his nonrenewal on Tuesday, May 13. In essence, Francis-Maurer claimed that he was met with disagreements upon raising concerns when he believed student safety, staff well-being, and professional standards were at risk, ultimately culminating in his termination.
“My reflections on practices were regularly muted in spaces where I once had been encouraged to bring a fresh perspective,” said Francis-Maurer.
Toward the conclusion of his message to the BOE, Francis-Maurer stated that he doesn’t “believe that raising concerns about student safety, professional conduct, or discrimination should cost someone their career.”
Turning to the members of the crowd, he thanked the students, parents, and staff in attendance for standing up, “not just for [him], but [for] the kind of school that they want to belong to.”
“I leave this role with pride — pride in the work I’ve done, clarity in the values I’ve upheld, and hope for what’s possible when we lead with courage, even when the outcome is not ours to decide,” Francis-Maurer said in his final message to the crowd, which was met with a standing ovation.
The hearing concluded abruptly after a unanimous decision to adjourn the meeting, with the BOE not holding the public vote that many attendees had expected. In accordance with BOE regulations, since no motion was made to vote on the matter at the end of the Donaldson hearing, Francis-Maurer’s nonrenewal for the 2025-2026 school year will stand.
