Lower Moreland board approves middle school tackle football program

The Lower Moreland Township School District Board of School Directors on Feb. 18 approved the creation of a middle school tackle football program, saying the district will move forward while monitoring student and parent commitments and permitting staff to finalize equipment purchases and details.

Board members said the program is intended to create a feeder program for the high school team and to give middle school students experience before entering high school competition. The approval was a voice vote; the board chair announced the motion carried.

Board members and district staff debated safety, cost and enrollment thresholds during a roughly 45-minute discussion. Several board members said they were concerned about the district's fiscal position and the program's initial price tag; one board member called the sum of roughly $40,000 a “substantial amount” at this time. District staff and coaches said the program would not move forward without adequate student commitments.

District administrators reported an informational session the week before the vote drew about 35 sign-ups, with 19 attendees. Coaches and staff told the board they expect the program to be viable if mid‑20s participation materializes; staff repeatedly said a roster under 20 would be risky because of attrition and injuries, and that a dozen committed students would not be enough to sustain a season. Coaches characterized a “sweet spot” of roughly 24–25 players to field a competitive middle school squad.

Staff described the equipment procurement timeline as roughly 30–45 days from order to delivery and said purchases would be delayed until the district has confirmed adequate student commitments. The board discussed protective equipment: one member requested a mandate that players wear guardian caps (soft-shell padding) in practices and games when feasible; staff said guardian caps had been included in the budget proposal.

Coaches clarified operational details: the district’s high school coach, Gregorio, will not coach the seventh- and eighth-grade team; assistant coaches have expressed interest in middle-school coaching roles, and the district will post middle-school coaching positions like other extracurricular openings. Practices and formal preparations for fall football will follow the school-year calendar and state-mandated heat-acclimation protocols; initial conditioning or non-contact work will occur after school resumes in August.

Board members asked for guardrails before equipment purchases. Administrators said they will solicit firm commitments from parents and students and will not proceed with equipment orders if final numbers are insufficient. The board’s approval authorizes program creation and continued planning; it does not obligate the district to buy equipment if commitments fall short.

The board approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

Background: The board discussed whether participating in Suburban One League football competition might be affected by the district’s current exception from the league for football. Staff told the board no league deadline has forced an immediate decision; previous districts have temporarily returned from exception status once feeder programs were in place.

What’s next: District staff and coaches will continue outreach to families, set sign-up deadlines, and report back on confirmed participation and any recommended equipment purchases. If confirmed commitments reach the district’s threshold, staff indicated they will proceed with ordering equipment and posting coaching positions.