A Lenape Regional High School Board of Education member who has had his roots in the district his entire life was chosen as its president Wednesday night.
David Stow was unanimously voted to serve as the Board of Education president at the board’s reorganization meeting. Stow takes over for Ted Shinske. He had served as the board’s vice president in 2013.
Stow has been a part of the Lenape district going back to his days as a student at Lenape High School in the 1970s. Stow now lives and represents Medford on the board and nothing makes him more proud than serving on the district’s Board of Education.
“I’m proud to be a member of this board,” he said. “We have one of the best school districts in this state.”
During his acceptance speech to the large crowd gathered at the district’s administration building in Shamong, Stow rattled off the names of many teachers. These were the teachers Stow had dating all the way back to kindergarten and through his entire career at Lenape.
“All of these people have dedicated their lives,” he said. “Not for fame and certainly not for fortune. These people have dedicated their lives to young people.”
With Stow moving up to president, the board unanimously elected Linda Eckenhoff to take over as vice president. The board also made board and professional appointments during the reorganization portion of the meeting.
In other news:
• The Shawnee High School football team was honored during the action portion of the board’s meeting last week. Members of the team received certificates and posed for pictures with members of the board.
Head coach Tim Gushue talked about his team’s perseverance in defeating the top three teams in their bracket and winning the South Jersey Group IV championship.
“When we got to the playoffs, I said the mistake they made was they let us in,” he said.
• Superintendent Carol Birnbohm informed the board that unannounced lockdown drills were held at the high schools for the first time. The school district worked with the respective local authorities in conducting the drills. She said having unannounced drills allowed school administration and local authorities better assess school security and safety, something she emphasized as a priority in the district.
• Birnbohm had praise for the choirs at each of the district’s four high schools for their work during the holiday season. All of the school choirs performed throughout their communities during December.
“We received numerous letters of gratitude for their service,” she said.
In addition, Birnbohm mentioned that the Cherokee High School choir took a trip to the White House for a special performance.
• Birnbohm also praised the school board for its service during her report. January is New Jersey School Board Recognition month.
• Seneca High School’s Iron Devils Robotics Team received two donations that were approved by the board last week. One donation was from Lockheed Martin for $3,000. The second was from Insight Insurance Group for $1,000.
Stow said he is continually amazed at how generous businesses and groups have been in contributing to programs in the school district.
“It is truly amazing how much the community supports us,” he said.
In addition, the Board of Education approved a donation for the Cherokee High School’s Renaissance Program during the action portion of the meeting. The Evesham Celebrations Foundation donated $500 to the program.
• The next Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the district administration at 93 Willow Grove Road in Shamong.
