001Heat. Heat. Heat. I Thank you all for being here. And um I'm calling this uh meeting back to order. The board recessed for executive session earlier for consideration of the employment of a public employee as well as for a conference with the board's attorney to discuss matters that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. Um but happily now we come to this very joyous occasion of recognizing our employees and return to public session and would ask that you join us for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you very much. >> Our first item of business is adoption of the agenda. >>
002Um I motion to amend the agenda. Um I would like to move number two under other board business to the superintendent report. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Second. Or did you already do that? Oh, sorry. >> I don't know if >> No, I think >> Okay. >> Yeah. Second >> and seconded. >> The motion has been >> made to amend the agenda. And this would be a roll call vote, please. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman. >> I. >> Mrs. Clerk Sutton. >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Kenberger. >> I. >> Thank you very much. Next item is approval of minutes. There were four sets of minutes. Approval of minutes of the regular board of education meeting held April 13th. Approval of minutes of the regular board of education
003meeting held April 20th. Approval of minutes of the regular board of education meeting held on May 4th. And approval of minutes of the special board of education meeting held on May 12th. We've had an opportunity to read through these minutes. Are there any corrections, additions? >> Thank you very much. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. None. The minutes are approved. And this brings us to Superintendent Nwiki and the superintendent report. >> Good evening again, President Shaughnessy, Vice President Dman, distinguished board members, Treasurer Roadie. It is my pleasure to invite to the podium Mr. O, director of teaching and learning. Good evening. Uh, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the recommendation for the new
004director of teaching and learning. Um, would it be appropriate to invite her up or you want me to talk first? Okay. >> At this point, we'd like to welcome Dr. Kristen Clark up to the podium. Uh first and foremost, I just really want to acknowledge the fact um that we had an outstanding pool of candidates for the director of teaching and learning position. Uh this included some strong internal candidates, a number of sitting uh or current curriculum directors or teaching and learning directors from around the region. Um so it was definitely a very tough process. Um but we're very fortunate to have a great recommendation that I'm going to introduce to you. Um so first I'd like to start with uh Dr. Kristen Clark currently serves as the coordinator of teaching and learning for elementary
005education. Uh in her work um over the years she has led a cohesive system of curricular systems. Um this has involved getting committees together to review and adopt and implement new curriculum materials, assessment systems and resources uh for a variety of different subject areas. Um she's been an instrumental leader uh related to the shifts that the district has made towards the science of reading um and helping us be in compliance with all the new uh laws and rules related to the science of reading for the state of Ohio. Um she has begun preparing our team and its its work around um the new Ohio plan for mathematics. Um she's redesigned our kindergarten information night which has created a much more welcoming and inviting um opportunity for us to welcome our new families to the district.
006Um and then she's worked sidebyside with our principles and teachers to develop and deliver professional learning on a variety of instructional topics uh during her time in the district. Um I had the opportunity to receive a few reference letters from a few of our principles and I just want to share a couple notes from those to get a better picture of the work that she does. Um, one of our elementary principles applauded her ability um to think as a at the systems level while staying grounded in the needs of our teachers and students. That same principal noted that she leads with knowledge and care uh taking time to listen, coach, and support others in a way that builds confidence and clarity. Another principal shared, "Uh, what sets Kristen apart is her strong curriculum knowledge and
007her ability to inspire innovation. During teacher-based teams and staff meetings, she frequently introduces creative and out-of-the-box ideas that push thinking beyond the standard curriculum. Um, and then that uh principal also noted that Kristen's really pushed um that individual to become a stronger instructional leader. Um, prior to working in Lakewood, she served as an instructional coach for an elementary school in Shaker Heights. Uh, she was the director of community- based programs for Boys Hope, Girls Hope, and Garfield Heights, and was a teacher team leader both in Olant Tangi local and Brexville Broadview Heights City Schools. Um, in my experience working with Dr. Clark, um, she's an outstanding problem solver, a team builder, and has an uncanny attention to detail. She approaches her work through the lens of what is best for students and how to support
008those that she collaborates with. Um she is thorough and hardworking and I'm excited to see the great things that she does for the department of teaching and learning. Uh Dr. Kristen Clark, our new dire or our recommendation for the director of teaching and learning. >> Okay. >> I don't know. Um All right. With that, um, I make a motion, um, on one reading to appoint Preston Clark for coordinator of teaching and learning. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. This requires a roll call vote. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy, >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman, >> I. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton, >> I. >> Mr. Callahan, >> I. >> Miss Katsenberger, >> I. >> And now you're official. >> Thank you so much. I'm truly grateful and humbled by this opportunity. Over the last four years, Liquid
009has given me so much, a supportive and inclusive community um and the space to learn and grow in my leadership to be better and to better impact student learning. I'm excited to continue supporting teaching and learning and the Lakewood community in this new capacity. And on a personal note, I am blessed to have the unconditional support of my incredible husband, Fritz, and my amazing daughters, Ellie and Avery, who are my why and who teach me something new every single day. So, thank you so much again, and I am very excited to get started. Oh, she sp everybody. I know. >> Congratulations. Okay, look at all the people that came to welcome you to our competition. It's amazing. Um, but really the energy when every year we say the same thing. When we walk into this
010room, the level of energy is bigger than convocation, the retirement reception. So, >> super happy to see you here. Um, oh, did we? >> Yeah. And we would also then need to um on I make a motion to approve on one reading the resignation. >> Oh, you didn't. I didn't. I >> I assumed you combined them. >> Oh, I combined them. I'm sorry. To the appointment of director. Thank you. You're still Yes. >> You have two jobs now. >> Protocol protocol has been set. Um but again, super excited for all of you to have made these are tough decisions and I know these are family decisions. Um, and so I I just wish you all the best in your adventures moving forward. And I would like to invite to the podium our director of human
011resources, Mr. Jeffrey Schlade, Board President Shaughnessy, Vice President Dotman, distinguished board members, Mrs. Nidwiki and Mrs. Roadie. Thank you. Tonight and congratulations Kristen. We have the privilege of recognizing a remarkable group of retirees whose dedication, compassion, and service have helped shape generations of Lakewood Rangers. Through their work, they modeled the very qualities that we strive to instill in our students. communication, collaboration, empathy, growth mindset, global awareness, and critical and creative thinking skills. As each retiree is introduced this evening, we would ask that they come forward to receive their commemorative recognition from the board of education, pause at the podium as their biography is read, and then proceed to the photo backdrop area where they will remain until all retirees have been recognized and we'll have a group photo. So, as the board assembles up front
012there, we'll we'll start off with Beth Burn. On August 23rd, 1990, Beth Burn joined the teaching ranks of the Lakewood City School District after earning her undergraduate degree in the same area. Did I mess that one up? after earning her master's of arts degree in speech pathology from Ohio University where she also earned her undergraduate degree in the same area. After graduating with honors, the district was fortunate to have Beth devote her professional career to working with students in speech disluency here in the district. Beth has worked with students of all ages, elementary, middle school, and high school, devoting her entire career to working with Lakewood students. Her husband, Terry, retired at the end of last school year, only to return to Roosevelt as a lunch monitor this school year. We're wondering if Beth will
013have the same plans to return. But thank you, Beth, for your service to Lakewood Children. Next is an Carney at the start of the 1985 1986 school year. Slow reception. That's okay. I'll start over. At the start of the 1985 1986 school year, after graduating with her education degree and receiving her elementary teaching certificate, Anne Carney joined the staff at the former McKinley Elementary School to teach primary age children. McKinley became Horus Man Elementary School and Anne transitioned to Horus Man to continue teaching primary kids. Although Anne earned her mers in educational administration from Cleveland State University, she remained committed to teaching young people, earning graduate hours to hone her craft from places such as Ashland, Notre Dame, and Andrews higher education institutions. Lucky for us, lucky for kids, she remained committed to the education
014of young people. Anne Carney Tracy Chesmar during the 2000 2001 school school year, Tracy Chesmar joined the staff of the Lakewood City School District at first as a substitute professional secretary paraprofessional. Not too long after that, during the same school year, Tracy was appointed as a long-term paraprofessional substitute at the former Emerson Middle School. The following year on August 27th, 2001, the district felt fortunate to hire Tracy to the Lakewood team as a pair professional working with students identified with student with special needs at the elementary level. After working at both the elementary and middle school level, Tracy joined new colleagues at Lakewood High School, continuing her support of students. Those same students described her as helpful and kind with one student sharing just how much he will miss her presence at Lakewood High School.
015Tracy Chesmar, Colleen Corrian Colleen began her Lakewood journey as a middle school teacher and retires on the same path. A middle school teacher, that is a seventh grade middle school teacher. In this role as a Lakewood teacher, Colleen has accepted the gamut. Multiple years as a substitute teacher, then a long-term substitute teacher, then a part-time teacher until finally receiving a full-time teacher at the start of the 9596 school year. Colleen's dedication was not just to teaching students. She also accepted many other roles during her years in Lakewood. President of the Lakewood Teachers Association for multiple years, five of your best years. member of the Lakewood Professional Development Committee, member of the Lakewood Communications Forum, where she will return during the 2627 school year as the forum moderator and professional development instructor to her colleagues. However,
016as Colleen has always said, and when she returned to teaching and not being president of LTA, teaching is really what I love. And that is the easy part because it is what I love. Colleen earned her undergraduate degree at Kent State and her masters at Ashlin University. Your late dad, Bob, is proud. Congratulations, Colleen. Next is Deborah Diamond. After working in finance in California, then returning to Ohio to work in customer service and office management, Deborah Diamond joined the ranks of the Lakewood District's team, working in state and federal programs in our central office during November. of 2001. Deborah remained in central office before she was assigned to Lakewood High School in August of 2004 as a valuable member of the guidance office working as support staff. At the start of the 201718 school year,
017the Harding Middle School team welcomed Deborah to her new assignment working as a support staff secretary in the front office, a position where she remained until her resignation due to retirement during the school year. Congratulations, Deborah. Next is an Egot. And evidently an was not supposed to be on my bio list to be read but an is retiring so a nice congratulations to an actually she has retired I believe so congratulations. Next is Denise Epan. After working in special special education for multiple years outside our district, Denise joined the Lakewood staff on August 26th, 1999 as a special education teacher working with our Lakewood High School students. At the start of the 200304 school year, Denise assumed the role of work study coordinator, a position where she will retire at the end of our current
018school year. When she assumed this work study role, Denise supported both students and their families, coordinating their placements in work areas throughout this area. She did all of this while supporting the students in their work roles along with assuring families of the success of their children. Denise earned her undergraduate degree from Cleveland State University in elementary education and her master's degree in special education from Kent State University. Denise, your hard work will be missed. Congratulations, Eileen Ginley. Even before she earned her college degree, Eileen Ginley continually showed her commitment to the young people of our district. While attending Cleveland State University, her education path headed for education. She did her student teaching at the former McKinley Elementary School in the fall of 1989, just before her December graduation. After completing a long-term substitute position at
019Cleveland's Metro Catholic School, Eileen was hired to to a full- Lakewood District long-term substitute teaching contract at the start of the school year. She taught first graders at the former Garfield Elementary School. The following school year, Eileen went to contract status at this same school. The young children at Harrison were fortunate at the start of 9293 because Eileene joined that school to teach and support students and their families. Two school years later, Eileen returned to Garfield Elementary and stayed there until joining the ranks of Taft Elementary School. Finally, Eileen joined the team at Emerson where she retired at the end of this school year as a first grade teacher and making a lasting impact on our young Lakewood minds. Congratulations, Dave Hilly. If you have ever watched students or staff row across the Lakewood High
020School pool in a cardboard created water vessel, you have watched students have fun with physics thanks to their science teacher Dave Hilly. At the start of the 1999 2000 school year, Dave Hilly was hired to teach science at Lakewood High School. In addition to guiding LHS students, Dave also served the district as a football coach, as his building's United Way leader, and as a mentor and colleague to many Lakewood District employees. Dave earned his undergraduate degree in education from Miami of Ohio University and a master's degree in education with the focus on administration from Baldwin Wallace University. We thank you Dave for teaching science to Lakewood's high school students. Next is Denise Ley. After serving as an administrator outside of Lakewood for 14 years, our district happily hired Denise Leuddy to assume the role of
021elementary principal at Emerson School for the 2017 2018 school year. Denise joined us after serving not only as an elementary principal but also the coordinator of assessment and accountability and director of curriculum and assessment in other districts. Using both her administrative experience coupled with many years of teaching, Denise led Emerson Elementary staff and students to achieve excellence in education. Denise holds an undergraduate degree in education from John Carroll University and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Kent State University where she also earned her principal's lensure. We thank Denise for her leadership and commitment to the Lakewood City School District. Next is Ellen McCaffy. Another teacher who showcased her education talents by student teaching in Lakewood schools, Ellen McCaffy joined our district right after finishing school as well. Ellen began her education as an
022SLP with the district at the start of the 1991-92 school year, working with preschool students. Just one school year later, Ellen started working with elementary students and remained a Lakewood SLP, working with identified students and showing her language dedication in the educational role. Ellen maintains a professional speech license, earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cleveland State University, and honed her craft by earning many graduate hours from colleges throughout the area. Student success in speech fluency has always been Ellen's number one priority. We are grateful for your service. Ellen Denita Mills first joined the staff of the Lakewood City Schools during the 93 school year as a lunch monitor and substitute secretary and aid. Over the years, she has worked in a variety of buildings and positions. Denita has worked at Hayes Grant and
023Madison elementary schools, the former Emerson Middle School, as well as Harding Middle School. Most recently, Denita has worked at Lakewood High School. Whether serving as a substitute, a one-to-one attendant, an educational aid in preschool, a paraprofessional in a typical or self-contained classroom, as a game worker, assisting with with Wednesday and Saturday school and afterchool tutoring, or working at camp Doita could be counted on to bring her warm heart and can do attitude to every role she has. Her colleagues at Lakewood High School will will miss her hard-working, trustworthy, and enthusiastic attitude as she enters this next chapter of her story. Next is Annne Pesta. after earning an undergraduate degree in both premed veterinary medicine and zoologology from Kent State. And Pesta went back to school and earned the hours needed to hold an education license
024for general science, biology, and gifted education from Cleveland State University. As soon as she earned that teaching license, the district hired Anne as a science teacher at the former Emerson Middle School. When Emerson became an elementary building, Anne transitioned to continue teaching science to middle school students at Harding until she found herself wanting her next challenge. Anne joined Lakewood High School so she could instill her love of science and teach biology to high school students. Her teaching costumes, instructional projects, and hands-on learning have entertained the the all the while kids have no choice but to learn. And Anne coupled this teaching with professional endeavors, always looking to become an even better educator. Anne earned a master's degree in technology from Baldwin Wallace University. Thank you, Anne, for making an impact on our students. Now we
025recognize Matt Shields. Matt, I heard rumblings over here about being the favorite teacher they weren't related to. After earning his undergraduate degree in communications from Bowling Green State University, Matt joined Lakewood working as a paraprofessional with students at Hayes Elementary School. In this position, Matt knew he wanted to be a teacher. So, he went back to school, John Carroll University specifically, and earned his master's degree in elementary education and his teaching license. Once graduated those items, Lakewood knew that they wanted Matt to join the district as a teacher and was lucky to hire him during the 199495 school year. And for over 30 years, Matt worked educating the young minds of Lakewood students along with showing his dedication by assisting writing curriculum, participating in selecting new science curriculum, and mentoring colleagues. Thank you, Matt, for
026the years you dedicated to students and their learning. We met Smith. After his many years in genuine commitment to the kids in Shaker Heights school district, we met Smith joined the Garfield Middle School leadership team for the 2018 2019 school year to model to Lakewood students his dedication to them to make good choices. and learn each day. And we met did accomplish that with our Garfield students each day. And we thank him for his commitment to Lakewood, to education, and most importantly to students. We met earned his bachelor's degree in education from that school up north, the University of Michigan, where he earned his high school 712 English teaching license. His masters in administration is from Cleveland State University. And thank you, we met for always wanting what is best as assistant principal here at
027Garfield Middle School. Next is Cheryl Smolan. As she states herself, Cheryl Smolen believes all children deserve and are entitled to the best education possible. This is the reason Lakewood counts itself lucky to have employed Cheryl Smolen at the start of the 200203 school year after her over 10 years of special education teaching experience in South Carolina and other Ohio districts. Cheryl demonstrated that commitment working in all sorts of special education teaching capacities and recipient of many accolades, including the 2002 2003 PTA golden apple award in her first Lakewood year. Throughout her Lakewood years, Cheryl has been a preschool special education teacher, a self-contained special education teacher in Champs at Horus Man Elementary, and an inclusion intervention specialist at Emerson Elementary. Cheryl Cheryl earned a bachelor's in special education and a teaching license from Ohio University
028and then proceeded to earn her master's in early childhood special education from Cleveland State University. Thank you for always making sure students learned each day. Cheryl, next is Colleen Wick. On November 20th, 1995, Colleen Wchek joined the Lakewood District as a cleaner at Lakewood High School. Colleen didn't stay in that position for long as she was promoted to the Lincoln Elementary School assistant custodian on September 2nd, 1997. In October of 2001, Colleen took a lateral transfer as the assistant custodian at Lakewood High School until then being transferred to Roosevelt Elementary as their assistant custodian. Colleen was used to traveling because she then was appointed as the AC at Harding Middle School effective July 1, 2007. In addition to accepting her hardworking role in the custodial department, Colleen also served as the Oopsy 134 bargaining president
029on behalf of her colleagues. Colleen retired at the end of December 2025 and we are grateful for her service. Thank you, Colleen. Next is Meredith Boyin. After earning her bachelor's degree and dual lensure in both general and special education from Wittenberg College, Meredith Boyin took her first steps in teaching special education for five years in New Hampshire. when she relo relocated to northeast Ohio. Lakewood was fortunate to hire Meredith to work with students identified with ED at Lakewood High School. At the start of the 9697 school year, Meredith accepted a teaching role at Harding Middle School. After many teaching years, Meredith ventured into the role of administrator. First as the Harding Middle School assistant principal for the 20201 school year until she then became the building's principal in 2006 2007. Wishing to work with students
030as a teacher once again, Meredith became an intervention specialist in the district. But the call to administration returned to for Meredith when she accepted the Lakewood High School House principal role, a position from which she retires this year. Meredith holds a master's degree in educational administration from New Hampshire's Keen College, and we are all grateful for all you have done for Lakewood's young people. Once again, congratulations to all our retirees. Thank you for the time, the talent, care, and commitment that you have given to Lakewood City Schools and to generations of Lakewood Rangers. Get out of here. catch you real quick. How you doing? Come on. So, it's kind of Please. over there. Yeah. What about dad? >> Deborah. Deb. Deb that works at Hardy, please come up front. That's right. See you next time.
031Feels nice. I didn't have school. Let me see. I'm gonna do another one. >> That's right. >> I'll wake up in the middle of night. It'll be fine. I have to go. >> Four. Oh my gosh, you guys. >> Yes. >> No, we get along. immediately. >> Not yet. That's back. That's back. Hallelujah. Thanks, sweetie. >> Good. Good. All right. I didn't Most likely. Is it does it continue to be? It almost does. It almost does. Okay. >> I just want to share with you that I had placed at each setting of yours uh the key insights from our um meeting for our transition meetings with our um I'm totally forgetting the name of my group for a minute. I'm sorry. Uh shaping tomorrow together. Uh but these are the minutes and we'll be posting
032those. If we didn't, I think we may have already posted them online or we will be tomorrow. We already did. Okay. And then I know you have uh bet uh Mrs. Shaughnessy, you're going to share some information about the New York Times later. And >> yes, >> um I just gave some more information around that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So if there are no questions, that concludes my report. Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. We're just making sure that we did everything that we wanted to do and I believe that we did or we forgot it. So either way it's fine. Um >> are you want Yeah. I didn't know if you So, I also wanted to share last or two weeks ago, last week at a special board meeting, we have um
033promoted Allison Aber, she's the principal of Roosevelt Elementary to the director of human resources starting um August 1st. Thank you. >> Thank you. A lot of change. >> Good. It's good change. I heard that. Um, thank you very much for the superintendent report. Um, is there a legislative report? >> There is. >> Great. >> Um, so tonight I'm going to focus just on one current pending bill um and try and do a little bit more of a a deeper dive into it. Uh it's Ohio Senate Bill 272 which is sponsored by Senator Kyle Kohler who is a Republican out of Springfield. Um this bill is uh regarding the um it's a bill that states that beginning in the 2026 2027 school year. It would um give students the option of uh choosing to pass a
034civics assessment as a requirement for high school graduation rather than the standard American government end of course exam. Um, some coverage of this bill indicates that this test would be required beginning with the 2027 2028 school year, although it might not requam. Students would need to attain a passing score of at least 60% on a civic civics assessment that is identical to the most recent version of the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency. The test consisting of a set of multiple choice questions would be administered to 11th and 12th graders in the required American government course. A student who does not attain a passing score may retake the assessment until they pass. The Ohio Coun Council for the Social Studies, the state's largest professional coalition
035of social studies educators, argues that Senate Bill 272 does not meaningfully advance students understanding of American government, constitutional principles, civic responsibility, or the rights and duties of citizenship. The group argues that the US citizenship exam is a rote memorization test that fails to measure the critical thinking, media literacy, and deep understanding of democratic systems required by the current American government. an end of course exam. The OCSS advocates for assessments that better measure source analysis, civic reasoning, writing, and evidence-based argumentation rather than a test that measures a narrow band of isolated factual recall. The US citizenship test is not aligned to Ohio's educational standards. In addition, according to spring 2025 Ohio State test results, 71% of students scored at or above proficient on the American Government Assessment and 70% achieved proficiency on the American History Assessment.
036Those percentages represent the highest passage rates for any state test in any subject area. A recent analysis using data from the National Association of Educational Progress, known as the nation's report card, found that several states requiring this uh citizenship test style civics test trailed Ohio in estimated eighth grade civics's performance. This evidence does not prove that the test causes lower performance, but it does show that naturalization tests mandates are not a proven path to stronger civics outcomes. Another thing to pay attention to with measures such as these is that they the effects they have on costs, time, energy, and attention. Currently, the naturalization test is typically administered orally to prospective US citizens using up to 20 out of 128 possible questions. UD citizenship and immigration services publishes the complete set of test questions and acceptable
037answers publicly on its website. The assumption is that because the exams questions already exist, districts and schools will not incur sign significant costs with this change because they don't have to develop the assessments questions. However, the However, the bill does not prescribe how the exam is to be administered, but rather requires that each school district determine how it will prepare, administer, and score the assessment, and provide the necessary resources to administer the test orally, on paper, electronically, or by whatever method they decide to adopt. Districts and schools are responsible for any administrative costs associated with this change, as is often the case. Under continuing law, students enrolled in courses in American government under advanced standing programs such as advanced placement courses, international balora programs or college credit plus would have to take the corresponding uh
038exams for those programs rather than this civics exam. Ohio has had numerous change changes to graduation requirements in recent years and only with the current class the class of 2026 have they finally gotten all of the classes on the same page in terms of graduation requirements. There was a time in recent years where there were three different classes with three different requirements in a four-year period. Um, which requires incredible amounts of uh time and attention by administrators to make sure that everybody graduates on time with the all all requirements fulfilled. Um, but the use of graduation requirements by state legislators to advance positions that are often based more on ideology than ed education can be a slippery slope with hidden costs, a need for administrative oversight that extends for years. It's important that changes to
039assessments and curriculum are based on what is most beneficial to our students rather than other factors. If you have more questions about this bill, I encourage you to contact the bill's sponsor, Senator Kyle Kohler, who's a rep the Republican out of Springfield, or any members of the Ohio Senate's education committee. You can find their contact info at ohiosenate.govcomeducation. And that concludes the legislative report. I don't know if anyone has any questions, comments. I just pul um I teach um sociology at TRIC and um I just pulled up the citizenship test um a couple weeks ago for u my students and um it's an interesting exercise um but it's insulting to our teachers to think that um that the Senate can just arbitrarily pick a a a test out of I mean there's it's a It's
040a interesting test. It's a valid test. It's got a lot of information in it, but it is it's just insulting to teachers. >> It it goes against all best practice >> and it's exactly what everyone does to education all the time. People who are not in the profession dictating what professionals should do. It's beyond frustrating. >> Very frustrating. >> Yeah. And I would just would argue that understanding of our government's history and the effect is really important right now. So I don't want to mess with that. >> So do we are we able to I I I don't know. I mean are we able to say something to Senator Kohler on behalf of our staff? >> I think as a board we could discuss >> reaching out to them or we as individual board members
041certainly could. I um it's currently under discussion and they're getting testimony um from interested parties. So this would be the time to do that. So it's something we could certainly discuss. >> Okay. But it's I will say that anytime we've spoken with legislators at schoolboard conferences or in any other context, they always say that input and contact from uh citizens and parents um it has a huge impact on the whether bills progress andor are accepted because that kind of pressure really means a lot. So if they people have any opinions on such things, they should certainly reach out. So thank you. We now come to the communications portion of our meeting. Um it's an opportunity for any board members who have um a communication to share or to communicate. >> Just to close the loop
042on the Dazzle Awards, they had their ceremony uh Saturday night. Um, and of the 15 awards that were given out, Lakewood was uh fortunate to have had our uh one of our student actors, Axel Scott, win best supporting actor for their performance. >> And uh Natasha Pier and The Great Comet of 1812. And when you consider that 44 schools across Northeast Ohio participate to win one of the awards was a huge honor. Uh a number of our students uh performed on stage during the opening and closing numbers and um it was just a wonderful night. Um, and we're just so proud of the eight nominations and all the participation of our kids and um, and just all the work of our uh, teachers and the director and everything. So, um, we hope to maybe hear
043from them at some point, but we're just super proud of Axel and their performance and, um, look forward to all of the performances to come next year. So, it's a great night. Um perhaps I will just again um congratulate our retirees. Uh that was a wonderful gathering with so much energy, wonderful celebration. Um but I also uh wanted to just uh wish our spring um student athletes the best as they're wrapping up their their seasons. Um there's so much uh excellence happening out there whether it's on the track or uh this baseball season that this varsity ba boys baseball team is is uh is doing really really well and just a lot of fun to be around and to watch. Uh so we certainly wish them uh the best as uh as the season winds
044up here in the coming weeks. >> Um so a couple things um to the retirees who are no longer here, but it's always so exciting to uh to get a chance to mingle with them a little bit. um and having lived here long enough that I do know some of them but not all of them. And um and so I my question to them is always where are you going in the fall? Um because people on the education calendar can't really travel in September and October. So that's been my standard question in this retirement reception. And um happy to report there is a river cruise. Um California and San Francisco, Ireland, and a Caribbean cruise were among the things that were listed. And a couple people said, "I don't know, but I'm going somewhere." Um
045so, um grateful for their years of service. Um my other thing I would like to talk about, um is that um I frequently say that I trust the Lakewood voters. Um, and the incredible support for issue two on May 5th is more evidence of why I to support my faith in this community. Um, public education is under attack. Um, expenses are rising. Uh there's a lot of uncertainty in our lives and our community just rallied for our students and um all of us that represent the district and I continue to just be um so incredibly proud to represent Lakewood um on the support of education. just >> just to comment on or congratulate the completely volunteerled volunteerfunded campaign that was >> they did a marvelous >> achieved just an incredible work. So thank you for
046that. Um, I just wanted to comment. I don't know if anyone's had a chance to see the New York Times article of May 13, which um had the great capability of presenting a 10-year um study of test scores, which resulted in the headline, why US test scores are in a generation long decline. um and also gave readers the ability to go into the the um scores for their particular district. And despite the fact that district level changes in reading scores between 2015 and 2025 had declined in 83 of the districts in um the states that participated in this massive study. Um Despite that, I can happily tell you that Lakewood gained almost one grade level in reading in that period of time. And in math scores 2015 to 2025, 70% of districts lost ground in
047math, while Lakewood gained 1.5 uh grade levels in math. So only 30% improved in math over this 10-year period, only 17% improved across the country, and Lakewood City schools grew in both of those. This is a fascinating article because it talks about um a 10-year span that included the COVID years, but points out that the decline started prior to COVID. So, so as we look at reasons why there may be problems uh for students um they're not just from COVID. There are other things that are being um impactful on that and that all um economic levels, all education levels, high income neighborhoods and schools um as well as low um have suffered from this as well. Some are more noticeable than others, but I just I'm um it's an extremely challenging article. It's an excellent
048article, but you can't get away from the numbers and the fact that um we recognized all these people retiring that have been contributing to our students for many years. We see the changes of our in our um cabinet and administrative and and uh principles that are education leaders in our school. And all this time, all the work that you all and that our retirees are putting in teachers makes a difference. And so maybe at some point um we can get a little more detail on how our district has done this because clearly there's been a plan. The plan's been adhered to. You can't be part of 17% across the country that does well. So you've been doing something right. So I just want to congratulate all of you who are working on this. And I
049would have liked to have said this to our retirees because they have contributed to this climate. Um so I would um I don't know if we can you know have this accessible on our web page but um I got calls from friends and relatives that don't live in Lakewood that are even in other states and said you know Lakewood's doing fantastic. How are you doing this? Ohio is actually we're well above the state average. >> They're one of the better states. Um but we're one of the better school districts. So I think we can only have it grow. And I just wanted to at least bring it up and and talk about it because I think it's very exciting. And kind of on the same topic, we had a wonderful grant celebration which was a
050celebration of growth of what our students are doing and learning. And so that was a great experience. Um and we see growth happening in all our in all our buildings. Tomorrow is career passport in the morning and celebration of excellence in the evening. So, lots of opportunity to see how our kids are excelling and uh how our employees are pushing them along. So, that concludes my comments and we would now come to public comments and I have one uh person, Mr. Brian Higgins who signed up but I do not see him. So we will continue with the consent agenda. Is there a motion to adopt? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And this is a consent agenda that does not include one of the items. So it was as amended. Um and this requires a
051roll call vote please. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mrs. Dman. >> I. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. Hi >> Miss Katzenberger. >> Hi. >> Thank you. And we come to human resources and community services. Mrs. Dman. >> Okay. Um today I have 167 certified actions including um administrator contacts continue awarding of continuing contracts appointment to one-year contracts appointment special compensation and salary and period adjustments. Can we um Mr. Ry can we vote these on one? Can we read them together? No. >> Um the first three could be as one. Number four has to be community rep is the roll call. >> Okay, that's right. Okay. And then I have one certified non-emp employee coach appointment 11 classified both appointments and special compensations. >> Okay. So you are moving >> I
052move to approve those. >> Approve one, two, and three. >> One, two, and three. >> Is that one, two, and three together? >> And there's a motion. >> I'll second. >> Yes. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Okay. And then we have 51 community recreation, education actions, uh, aquatics, athletics, and programs. And I make a motion to approve those. >> Second. >> And this requires the roll call vote, please. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy, >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman, >> I. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton, >> I. >> Mr. Callahan, >> abstain. >> Miss Katsenberger. >> I. >> Thank you. And the motion carries. And now other board business is also yours. >> Me again. Okay. Um, we have two actions for certified employees. Um, one administrator
053contract and one appointment. >> And I make a motion to approve those. >> Second. >> Which ones are com you combined? >> I didn't combine it. >> Number one. >> Oh, you're just the other are roll call. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, the other two are roll call. Uh it's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Okay. And then I have um one certified action. It's a resignation for purpose of retirement and I request approval on one reading. >> Second. >> Uh the resolution's been moved and seconded. May we have a roll call. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mrs. Dman. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Katenberger. >> Hi. Thank you. The motion carries. >> And then
054I have five total classified actions. Resignations for the purpose of retirement and resignations. And I request approval on one reading. >> Second. >> And the classified action has been moved and seconded. And may we have a roll call vote? >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman. Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Katenberger. >> Hi We moved that one. >> Oh, that's right. >> Sorry. >> That's all right. It's good to have extra eyes on this. Um, is there any other other board business? >> No. >> Hearing none. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. >> That's the quickest motion we ever get.