On February 24, 2025, Mrs. Leslie Walker announced her resignation from her position as interim principal of Cherry Hill High School East. The announcement came via an email from Dr. Kwame Morton Sr., Superintendent of Cherry Hill Public Schools, stating that Walker’s resignation will take effect on February 27, 2025.
In her formal letter, Walker described her time at East as “one of the greatest honors of [her] career.” She expressed that her decision to step down was a challenging one, made after she learned of her son’s illness during the week of the February 6 ICE walkout.
“My son is 40. He has a little girl and a wife. I’m going to keep up a real positive attitude because you should never, ever let your children know you’re scared. But it’s stressful, and he needs his mom,” Walker shared. This personal crisis prompted her to reassess her role, ultimately leading her to conclude that she could not meet the demands of the position while prioritizing her family’s needs.
Walker extended her gratitude toward the assistant principals and teachers at East, acknowledging the strong support she received during her tenure. However, she emphasized the crucial role of a principal in being consistently present for students. “I love this job. I will go to my grave knowing I do it well, but this [stress] is constantly going through me,” she remarked. “My work ethic wanted me here at 7:00 a.m. in the morning. That’s the kind of worker I am, but I just couldn’t do it [anymore]; I couldn’t come through.”
In light of her departure, Dr. Neil Burti, the district’s current director of secondary education, will take over as acting principal for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. Walker expressed confidence in Burti’s leadership abilities, assuring the East community that the student body will be in capable hands.
Before concluding her time at Cherry Hill East, Walker conveyed her appreciation for the community’s support. “Thank you for being wonderful and treating me very well,” she stated. She left her students with a poignant reminder: “Be kind – to be friends with each other.”
As Cherry Hill High School East prepares for this transition, the administration and school community reflect on Walker’s contributions and the impact of her leadership during her tenure.
