The Lakeland Regional High School Board of Education held its monthly meeting on March 21, 2023. Here are some highlights:

A big point which got students talking the next day was the approval of the 2023-24 school calendar, which includes a start date of Wednesday, August 30, the Wednesday before Labor Day, for students. Teachers start on Monday, August 28. With such an early start date, the school year ends on Friday, June 14. 

In turf news, school officials have met with engineers and are happy to report that the timeline for the planned turf field is on-schedule. Design progress is moving forward, and the field is scheduled to open on Friday, September 22, with a football game against West Milford.

To open the regular meeting, the Superintendent Mr. Hugh Beattie began with recognition of some of Lakeland’s most dedicated students and faculty. It highlighted the successful week of the NJGPA, a test taken by juniors throughout the state of New Jersey. A special thanks was given to district’s testing coordinator Ms. Jamie Cawley, who conscientiously oversaw the smooth administration of the test’s four sections.

Mr. Beattie also made note of the success of the LRHS production of Shrek. All of the students and faculty involved were committed to creating an excellent show for the school community, and their hard work certainly paid off. Shrek was seen as an exceptionally good choice as it was entertaining for all ages, including young children.

Mr. Beattie continued with recognition of Unsung Hero senior Sebastian Palmer, a hardworking, model student at Lakeland. Track stars senior Morgan Ulohorn and senior Owen Horevay got a special shoutout, and so did girls wrestling star sophomore Caroline Biegel and boys wrestling stars sophomore Ryan Langenmayr, junior Jack Bergmann and junior Sean Walker.

In extracurricular news, there is ongoing talk of marching band becoming a varsity sport, matching many other programs throughout the state. 

In more news, history teacher Mr. Christopher Chouljian was appointed as a new assistant boys tennis coach for the spring 2023 season, as well as the new club advisor for the newly formed Ultimate Frisbee Club, along with English teacher Mr. Daniel Burkert. The new club had a lot of student interest – with about 150 students reaching out to the advisors, according to the board.

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Apr 25, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the school’s Lecture Hall.