Charles Roseboro, who served on the Southampton Township Board of Education from 2007 to 2016, was sworn in as the town’s new representative for the Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education on Aug. 21, filling the spot of long-time board member Linda Eckenhoff, who retired in July.
Business Administrator and Board Secretary Constance Stewart swore in Roseboro before the start of the latest meeting. His children and grandfather were in attendance, along with his former board members and Southampton’s superintendent.
“I want to first of all thank Linda Eckenhoff for her service to this board and in her many, many years. I know there’s incredible shoes for me to fill,” said Roseboro.
In other news, members of the LRHSD BOE and administration approved several donations by local businesses and community members totaling $315,000 toward the unexpected and premature replacement of Cherokee High School’s turf field.
The district received $150,000 from Marlton Recreation Council, a nonprofit volunteer organization for the athletic youth of Marlton; $100,000 from Burns Kull Auto Group; $35,000 from The Mark McKenna Team/Pat McKenna Realtors; $15,000 from CareOne at Evesham; and $15,000 from Re/Max Connection.
The Marlton Recreation Council reached out to business owners within the town when it heard the district was in need of a turf replacement.
“We look forward to the next, hopefully, 15 to 20 years of use of this new turf and many more champions,” said Marlton Recreation Council President Walt Miller.
The total cost to replace the turf field at Cherokee was $513,484, according to the district.
Shawnee High School’s turf field also needed a premature replacement, which totaled the district’s cost to just over $1 million. The fields were completed Aug. 1.
The district set aside $242,434.36 in its capital budget and is using the balance of a Maintenance Reserve Account in the amount of $779,990.64 to replace the fields. These funds were used in the 2018-2019 school year, according to the district.
The district says it is still monitoring the class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of the fields for their premature failure.
The district says it has not received similar donations to replace the turf field at Shawnee.
“My brother won a state championship on this field, I won a state championship, my son played there and my wife teaches at the high school. It’s a sacred place for our family, that is the focal point of Evesham. Friday night lights, there’s nothing better. I’m just glad we can be a part of it,” said Mark McKenna.
