Lakeland schools gear up for fall: new district office, video board, PTA-funded pavilion and student honors
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. W. Edward Horrell III told the board the district moved its central office to 3009 Davies Plantation Road, installed a video board at Lakeland Preparatory School, completed its first ESY program year, and began PTA-funded pavilion construction at Lakeland Elementary School.
Superintendent Dr. W. Edward Horrell III told the Lakeland School System Board that the district is preparing for the upcoming school year with staff orientation, facility work and student recognition events.
"We are absolutely, in the mode of preparing for the next school year," Dr. Horrell said, outlining summer preparations including in-service days and campus cleaning. He said the district office has moved to 3009 Davies Plantation Road and that new-employee orientation will take place there this week; the district expects about "40 plus folks" at orientation.
Dr. Horrell reported the video board at Lakeland Preparatory School has been installed and is functioning; staff are working with students to develop content ahead of the football season and Meet the Lions night. The district's Extended School Year (ESY) for some special needs students wrapped up; Rachel Gay, director of special education, was credited with running the program.
Dr. Horrell highlighted a student achievement: the district's audio-visual students in Mr. Luneau's program finished in the top 10 of the Technology Student Association on-demand video competition, placing seventh out of about 180 schools.
On facilities, Dr. Horrell said construction has begun on the pad and foundations for an outdoor pavilion at Lakeland Elementary School, a project funded in its entirety by the Lakeland Elementary PTA. "The actual pavilion will be the last thing to be delivered. It will probably come in just after school starts," he said, cautioning that the pavilion likely will not be ready the first day of school but is expected within the first couple of weeks. When asked about traffic impacts, Dr. Horrell said the contractor is experienced and aware of school schedules: "They know that there are certain times of day they can't be there. So, yeah, that won't be a problem."
Dr. Horrell also announced student and family events: a signing-day event at Lakeland Elementary on July 18, and Meet the Lions night on Friday, Aug. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m., and noted senior activities are underway.
Board members did not record objections to the updates; the superintendent's report closed without further action.
