Cherry Hill High School East Principal Mr. Daniel Finkle will step down from his position effective Nov. 10, as he confirmed Tuesday morning via email. While the reasons behind his departure remain unclear, Finkle is slated to become the next principal of Hightstown High School in Mercer County after completing a 60-day transition period, as required by his contract.

Finkle’s resignation was tendered on Tuesday morning, following the approval of his employment by the East Windsor Regional School District the evening before. He released a more extensive statement to the East community later that day through email, reflecting on his time as principal and formally announcing his departure.

“I leave with great memories of my time here at East, and I know that it is a better school today than when I arrived,” Finkle wrote. “I am so proud of the progress we made and the sense of community that was strengthened through our shared efforts.”

Finkle’s job search began in July. Following an extensive seven-week interview process, he was subsequently offered a job at the beginning of September, a week before his first resignation announcement in the Cougar Chronicle, East’s weekly newsletter.

Nevertheless, in his remaining time at East, Finkle looks to continue fulfilling his responsibilities as the school’s principal. 

“I plan on continuing to do everything that I’ve always done. I still care about every single person here. I still care about the school. I want the best for you guys.”

Meanwhile, the search for an interim principal — who will assume leadership over East in the time prior to the permanent replacement — will be overseen by District Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton. While the position is temporary, Director of Secondary Education Dr. Neil Burti explains that it will grant them the time to “open up a much wider search for the next principal at East.”

Following the selection of an interim administrator, the task of hiring a permanent principal will be an extensive process similar to the one used to hire Finkle, drawing input from a diverse range of faculty and students alike. A main committee to oversee the hiring process will be created, composed of Central Administrators, including Morton and Burti, as well as staff members from East. 

The procedure will involve multiple rounds of interviews designed to select a replacement, each of which will evaluate applicants by reviewing their personality, work ethic, experience, and goals for the school. Once the field is narrowed to two candidates, Morton will select the preferred applicant, who must then be approved by the Board of Education.

“[We’re] looking for lots of qualities that’ll make this person dynamic,” Burti said. “And then [we’ll] ensure that [they’re] somebody who’s got great experience, who’s got a great skillset, who’s a good communicator and collaborator, [and who] understands relationships and … achievement.”

Focus groups, composed of student leaders from various areas, will give students a voice by highlighting their priorities and qualities they hope to find in a new principal; families and staff will also have the opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions.

“We know what an amazing school this is, what an amazing community this is, [and] what an amazing position this is,” Burti said. “But it does come with challenges, so we want to make sure that we have a great person selected.”

With his time at Cherry Hill High School East coming to a close, Eastside interviewed Principal Mr. Daniel Finkle to reflect on his experiences at East. Throughout the past year, Finkle has transformed the culture of the school, implementing a new homeroom system, establishing communication through his “Cougar Chronicle,” and actively supporting East activities whenever possible. Eastside named Finkle the 2025 “Person of the Year,” making him the first principal and first-year employee to win the award. Here are some key highlights from our discussion with him.

Q: Looking back at your year as East principal, what would you say was your favorite memory?

A: The relationships that I built. I don’t think there’s exactly one — one date, one time, one event. Just the time, the relationships I have with teachers, the relationships I have with kids, being on the sidelines of a successful football season, being at a state championship swim meet, watching amazing productions on a stage by our music groups as well as our theatrical groups, being a part of the of the East culture, I thought was very much important for me. 

Q: What was the most valuable thing that you learned from your time here at East?

A: I learn every day. Obviously going from a smaller school to a larger school in terms of differences, I’ve certainly learned. But you know, I’m me. My philosophy is, has been, and will always be the same in terms of how I work with kids and how I work with adults. It’s just on a larger stage. So, there’s a lot more organizational minded learning to make sure that it gets done and it gets done effectively.

Q: Do you have a favorite aspect about East in particular?

A: I think the passion of the student body. I think that, in an age where a lot of kids are withdrawn, isolated, not politically active, and not politically in the know, that’s not what I see. It’s not what I hear. I was down at DECA in Atlantic City, and overheard students just debating what was going on in the State House. [That] doesn’t happen in every school, and it’s wonderful that people are in the know, want to be in the know, and have opinions and debate.

Q: What are you most proud of? Maybe an accomplishment or something you achieved from your time here?

A: I’m proud of a lot of stuff. I really am. I’m proud of the changes that were made, and

I feel — as I said in my letter yesterday — that I’ve left this place better than I found it. I’m proud of the student body in terms of changing Lunch & Learn, bringing in a new system, and it working well. It accomplished its intended thing, which was to calm things down a little bit, hold people accountable, hold teachers accountable, and hold students accountable. 

I think that was one of the biggest things that we did. [We] rebuilt the trust between the faculty and the administration, and the students and the administration, [by] being open and honest with people and having honest conversations.

Q: Is there anything that you’re looking forward to in your new position? 

A: Just being me, and continuing to progress as a leader, progress as a principal, and progress as an educational leader. I’m looking forward to learning a new system, learning about new people,  learning about new kids, and bringing my philosophy to my next stop.

Q: If there was one last message you could leave the East population with, what would it be? 

A: Put your phones down. There’s a world around you that you’re that you’re missing, No, that’s a joke. Just keep being you. Be attentive. Pay attention to the world around you, because very soon you’re going to be leading it. 

We need to understand the past, and we need to learn from the past. We need to make sure that we don’t repeat some of our failures, and we keep getting better every single day. 

Be a lifelong learner. I’m a lifelong learner. I hope everybody becomes a lifelong learner. If you think you know it all, you don’t. I never have. I never will. 

And just be open. Be open to change, be open to different viewpoints, [and] be open to different things. That’s really important.

Q: Do you have any advice for the next principal?

A: At East, you’ve got a great student body, and you’ve got great teachers. Keep moving in the direction that we’re moving in. It’s a matter of listening to students and doing everything we can to give them the best four year experience that they can [have] while they’re in high school.

Q: What will you miss most about East?

A: It’s a different student body than many schools, and the conversations I’ve had — the intellectual conversations I’ve had — have just been incredible and made me think as well. I think probably what I’ll miss the most is those interactions.

In the remaining 60-day transition period, Finkle remains dedicated to serving the East population to the best of his ability. Despite the uncertainty that he faced upon entering his role, Finkle brought stability to East during a tumultuous period. His legacy will no doubt be felt in the East community for years to come.