Vansickle Plot
Olyphant, PA 18447

As a taxpayer in the district, I am apalled at the nepotistic hiring practices of this district. We have had many highly qualified teachers and administration candidates who were overloked to give the jobs to relatives and friends. I believe the hiring should be done on qualification, not relationship to a board member or administrator.

I attended this school before superintendent R. Scott Jeffery unfortunately passed away. Mr. Jeffery became superintendent after my first year, and he immediately made a huge impact on the school. Long overdue major renovations began soon after. In my last couple of years in high school, Lakeland started rewarding good behavior with celebrations called "powwows," and allowing students to skip a final. Rewards like these really improved student behavior and were just really fun and appreciated. I also always felt that staff took students' concerns into consideration and were always very helpful in any way that they could be. The guidance counselors are very invested in the success of each student, and openly welcomed LGBT+ students. Overall a nice school with a great environment.