Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School Assistant Principal Paul Biagioli, left, and Principal Cody Opalka pose in front of a school sign.
Submitted Photo
FACTORYVILLE — As the fall semester approaches, the Lackawanna Trail School District welcomes two new principals to the school board. Cody Opalka is returning for his second year as Trail’s principal, while Paul Biagioli is starting his first year as assistant principal. They are both looking forward to begin the new school year at the Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School.
“We’re approaching the school year with relentless optimism and a strong commitment to ensuring that every member of our school community has a positive and fulfilling experience,” said Opalka.
“I am incredibly excited to join the excellent Lackawanna Trail community,” said Biagioli.
Before being appointed assistant principal on July 7, Biagioli was a secondary math teacher covering topics from algebra to calculus. He taught at Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter for a year, Scranton Preparatory School for three years, and Dunmore Jr. Sr. High School for three years. He was also the head coach of the JV Boys Basketball Team and an assistant with the Boys Tennis Team at Dunmore.
Growing up in Waverly, Biagioli attended Abington Heights High School, where he graduated in 2005. He then attended the University of Scranton. He received his Bachelor’s degree in business management. When he was on the basketball team, he became an All-Conference Selection in the Landmark Conference in 2009. Since then, he received a Master’s in business administration from the university. He also earned a Master’s in school leadership from Wilkes University.
Biagioli currently resides in Springbrook Township with his “beautiful” wife of seven years and six-year-old daughter Olivia, who is a first-grade student in the North Pocono School District.
Returning for his second year as principal, Opalka is genuinely excited as he shared during the board meeting in August.
“My first year as principal was exciting, fast-paced, and incredibly rewarding,” he said. “I approached every day with energy and a readiness for whatever came next, and as I reflect on the year, I truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
Opalka recalls supporting the launch of the Aevidium Club, in which he credits the “outstanding” moderators for their dedication and passion. He was also proud to take part in the early stages of Project Lead the Way engineering/STEM program, in which he credits the hard work and vision from the “amazing staffulty”.
“While those initiatives are exciting, I’d say my greatest accomplishment this year wasn’t tied to a specific program, but rather to the positive relationships I’ve built — with our students, our families, and our staffulty,” he said. “That connection is what truly drives the work I do every day.”
Opalka is actively involved in supporting and overseeing many of the activities that take place within the school. He remains closely connected to the successes of our programs and take great pride in the opportunities they provide for our students.
Opalka grew up in Mayfield while attending the Lakeland School District from kindergarten to 12th grade. He graduated in 2004.
After graduating from Keystone College, he began his career in education as a substitute teacher for several school districts. He later transitioned into a role as a behavioral healthcare worker at Carbondale Area Elementary through Friendship House, followed by a position as a paraprofessional in the CAAP program at Carbondale Area High School.
The following year, he joined Holy Redeemer High School as a Civics teacher and eventually became the Social Studies Department Chairperson. During his time there, he also served as the Internal Coordinator for the school’s Middle States Reaccreditation process.
In 2022, Opalka was appointed assistant principal. In 2023, he was named interim principal. The next year, he was officially appointed principal. He joined Lacakwanna Trail School District because he found it to have a strong sense of community and tradition. Another reason was that it gives him the opportunity to be close to home.
Opalka has a “wonderful and supportive” wife, Amy, who stands behind the work he does at Lackawanna Trail. They have two amazing children—Morris, who is 2 years old, and Otis, who is 5 months old.
Opalka and Biagioli are both excited to be in the Lackawanna Trail community.
“There are a lot of new exciting things happening at Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School,” said Biagioli.
“The students, staff, and community have been incredibly welcoming and supportive,” said Opalka. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a special place, and I couldn’t be happier to call Lackawanna Trail home.”
