001Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hello everyone. I apologize um for getting this started a little late. Uh the board met in executive session for a personnel matter prior to this meeting, but we are now returning to public session. And if you would join us in pledge of allegiance, that would be wonderful. I pledge algiance 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. First, the first order of business is adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded that we adopt the agenda as presented and we have a roll call. >> I, Mrs. Dman, >>
002I. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton, >> hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi, >> Miss Katsenberger. >> Hi. >> Thank you very much. And we now move on to the superintendence report. >> Good evening, President Shaughnessy, Vice President Dman, distinguished board members, Treasurer Roadie. It is my pleasure to invite our Hayes principal to the podium, Mr. Eric Faruna. >> Good evening everyone. Superintendent Edwicki, Treasurer Roadie, board president Sha Dey, Vice President Dotman, and distinguished board members. Welcome to Hayes. I'm Eric Fortuna, the Hayes principal. We're going to get things started this evening by welcoming up our Hayes 2026 Resilient Ranger, Kai Malcolm. Come on up here, guys. All right, Kai. So, I heard from all of your teachers and we have a special message for you. They wanted to kind of take a little journey down your
003history at Hace and say some very kind things about you. So, are you ready for this? Yeah. Okay. All right. So, your kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Pap, all right. Your first teacher here at Hay. He says, "Kai is one of my favorite students who in kindergarten demonstrated a positive attitude, always coming to school with a smile and kind heart towards others. He was hardworking and showed great perseverance, never giving up even when things were challenging. I loved having Kai in class and loved seeing how he has grown." And your first grade teacher, Mrs. Harper, she said, "As a first grade student, Kai always had a kind heart. He enjoyed helping his friends. He was always wanting to do his best when it came to his learning. What I remember most about him was that he never
004gave up when things were a bit challenging. That type of growth mindset is special. I'm so happy to see that these qualities have stayed with Kai and helped him continue to grow. I'm so very proud of Kai. And your second grade teacher, Mrs. Pres, says Kai was a student that always had a smile on his face. You see that smile? There we go. He was a good teammate to any everyone in class. Sometimes he didn't remember his glasses. However, uh he always remembered to be a great Hay citizen. His easygoing personality brought fun and smiles to all, including me. I'm thrilled that Kai is being highlighted tonight. He certainly persevered to earn it. Keep it up. And now your fourth grade teachers. We've got him back there. We have Mrs. Stasis and Mrs. Carabinus. Thank
005you for coming tonight. Mrs. Caribina says, "Kai is a diligent worker who is always striving to do his best. At the midyear math I Ready assessment, he showed 135% year's growth and that was only halfway through the school year, which is amazing." Nice job, Kai. He is kind and helpful and can be counted on to do the right thing. And finally, Mrs. Stasa. She says, "Kai is a good friend to all of his classmates. He makes sure to include everyone. I notice how Kai shows empathy by asking a classmate to be his partner or join his group, especially um when he sees that they're alone, which is really important. Kai always perseveres in class. He works hard and ask questions to clarify anything confusing. And I'm laughing because of this last sentence. He loves cheese.
006So, it says Kai is very cheesy. He loves cheese. I love cheese. We actually uh had a cheese lunch together the other day. Um so, thanks to the fourth grade teachers for putting that on. Mrs. Salzer uh went to the store and bought a bunch of cheese. So, um Kai is the man. Let's give him a big uh round of applause. >> Hi, it's so nice to meet you. You sound like a wonderful fellow student at class. You also sound like it be great for a teacher to have you in their class. And I happen to love cheese as well. Now, now that we've that all established, this is a little something from the board to recognize you as the resilient Ranger. And would you like to say anything? Would you like to would you
007like to introduce your family that's here with you or any friends? You you can point naked. Yeah. There they are. There you go. Congratulations. And mom and dad get in the picture, too. Whoever Congratulations. All right, congratulations, Kai. Um, before we move on, I just wanted to mention um on the board, you can see I've got a picture of our our lunch crew. We have one other lunch member that's going to be recognized in a bit, but I wanted to give a quick shout out um before we move on to our other presentation, too. Our our lunch crew that works in here because we're in their space today. They do an incredible job. They're awesome. Um that's Mrs. Carol, Mrs. Sharp, Mrs. McCay, Mrs. Clinton. She's not in that picture, but she is back there
008in another picture. Um, and Mrs. Dorne. And, um, they do every they do such a great job keeping everything organized, clean, making it fun in here for the kids. You can see in the picture there, um, our PTO provided umbrellas, so they get to go outside and eat sometimes and play music. It's just like little things that make Hayes special, and I wanted to make sure, you know, today we just kind of said a little bit about them, too. So, um, thanks for giving me the opportunity to do so. All right. So, our for our presentation, um we've got a little presentation that includes a video that was created by our students, our um our news crew. Um and I want to say that it's been a lot of fun working with these kids this
009year. Our news crew and house leaders that are behind me um have gone above and beyond the the entire school year, okay? Uh and they've stepped up into leadership roles u taking real ownership of the building and and this is something that is kind of an extension of the house system. our our second year here at Hayes. Um it's given the kids more opportunities. It's given the opportunity to step out of their their comfort zones a little bit and um it's just been a lot of fun for all of us. So I I really think all the work they've done has really improved and just contributed to what's already I believe to be a great culture in in this building. Um I want to invite up right now um first our our news crew. So
010Orion, Charlie, and Henry, why don't you come over here for just a second? So, I've got Orion right here. So, Orion is part of our news crew. He is our special correspondent, and I also have Charlie and Henry, and they are news editors. Okay. So, these guys work together uh weekly with Mrs. Salzer, who's back there as well. She's our F FRC. She's amazing. She does a lot of good stuff for our building. Um but they put out the news every Monday. And so, they do a video news program. So, that's what it's all about. student leadership today with our our news crew and our house leaders working together uh to produce something for you. So, um before we turn it over to these guys, if you guys can sit down, I'm just going to
011introduce our house leaders really fast. House leaders, can you come up over here? So, you remember our house leaders from last year, we did the crazy thing. We popped the balloon over everybody's head. So, we've got official house leaders this year. These kids applied for these roles at the beginning of the year. It's a serious thing. So, they had to write an essay and then they were selected. And so, they are our house leaders that work with me on a regular basis. They help run assemblies. They plan events in the building. And that's going to be all described in the video that you're going to see in a couple minutes. But I have Seline. She's our leader of Solivari. Max is our leader of Isabindi. Najma is our leader of Amastad. Char is our leader
012of Rever and Brooke is our house leader for Alt Turismo. So, congratulations. They've done an amazing job. And you know, they do um a lot of planning and part of this is like the assemblies and the fun stuff that we've been able to do over the course of the year. And um you know, there's the communication, the collaboration that goes along with that, like embodying all the elements of the vision of a Lakewood Ranger. Um but you know, it's hard to get up in front of people and speak. And if you're if you're 10, it's really hard to run an assembly. So, I mean, they're with me. They're they're planning and doing a lot of work. Then they write their scripts. They they announce the the house winners. They acknowledge kids for points. So, they're
013up there like bringing enthusiasm and doing things that like I couldn't even have thought of doing when I was their age. So, um it's been a special opportunity and they've they've knocked it out of the park this year. So, big round of applause to all of you guys. All right. So, you guys, the hard part's done for you. You got to stand there and smile. So, I'm going to bring the the news crew back up. And um before I turn it over to them to um present, I just wanted to say thank you to our our parents for being here of all these kids. They've supported us over the course of the year. Um you know, they'll drop them off early to attend meetings. They'll come to our PBIS meeting sometime and they don't even
014know about all the extra stuff that they're doing in the building. So, it's it's a heavy lift for uh a fifth grade student. So, thanks for supporting us. Also, our PTO has been uh Mrs. Fondonder and our PTO president and our whole PTO. Like, they're really behind the house system and supporting us and making this possible. So, I want to make sure I acknowledge them, too. And the last thing I'm going to say is just because we had the purple and gold classic last weekend. We were runners up. And we have several coaches here. We have Mr. Taylor. Uh we have Miss Watkins over here. Where's Jagger? Oh, yeah. Jagger. Okay. Um and we have one other coach, too, Mr. Sethick. Thank you for um thank you for running the team and and doing all
015the practices and you're going to lose on May 1st. I'm sorry, but we're going to take you down. We have the staff stu we have the staff student game coming up next, so we'll see what happens. >> All right, I'm going to turn it over to you guys. Um Orion, you ready? All right. Hello Lakewood board members. My name is Orion and I'm from River, the House of Drummers. As the special reporter for the Hayes news crew, I've been having so much fun being able to see and be a part of the behind the scenes for the news I've watched since I came to Hayes 3 years ago. I feel like being part of news crew has allowed me to practice my listening skills and my patience. For example, I have to wait before I
016speak and listen to what um to know what they want me to say or add to my scripts. And before those were things I struggled with a lot. Um I also feel like since I joined News Crew, I've been acting more mature at home and at school. I remember Mr. um I remember reporting on the house point. I had so much fun. I remember Mr. Caner mopping the floor through the camera while we were filming. Talking about this was important because at every assembly top house point earners get to spin the wheel to earn house points and everyone needs to know how the wheel works to know how many house points they will get. Next up is Henry with how news crew works. Hi, my name is Henry. I am the director/editor and I'm in
017Isabindi the house of courage. When we're planning to record we have five steps. On Monday, we meet we meet with Miss Salzer and work on the script for the anchors. On Tuesday or Wednesday, we would record the news. On Thursday, Charlie and I meet and work on editing and adding music. The fourth is Friday when we Mr. Fortuna for the final review when he emails to the news to the school. And fifth, my favorite part is seeing others enjoy the news and have fun watching it. But sometimes we make a few mistakes and we have to cut the video and restart where we messed up. But it's usually three to four mistakes and then me and Charlie add them to get bloopers. After that we add it all together. That's how me and Charlie make
018the haze news and without the anchors it wouldn't be possible. The news crew has completely changed my attitude and it made me feel really good that when kids were excited for it and for me that made me feel so good that what I was doing was making others happy and excited. I'm going to miss being at Hayes and being a part of news crew, but I will have another opportunity to be at be part of the news crew at Harding Middle School. On to Charlie. >> Hi, my name is Charlie and I'm in River House of Dreamers. I am also one of the news crew editors. It has been so much fun all year getting to be part of so many exciting opportunities. One of the coolest experiences was visiting the Hardy Middle School news
019crew. It was so awesome to see their program in action and get a glimpse of what I might be able to be involved in next year. We also got to be part of the Harding news crew with Mr. Fortuna, Henry, and Miss Salsa, where we said the pledge of allegiance and appeared on the school news. News crew has helped me so much with my leadership and organization this year. I have also had the best time being a news crew director at Hayes. In the mornings, Henry and I meet together and work on editing the Hayes video news for that week. As Henry mentioned earlier, I have even gotten to take our editing iPad home before. During house assemblies, we take photos and videos to help capture all the fun. I love being part of news
020crew, and I'm going to really miss being at Hayes next year and having to be part of all these amazing opportunities. Next, we have a special video to share that we've created with the Hayes House leaders. Hope you enjoy it. Good evening board members and welcome to Haze. My name is Max from the House of Courage is a vending and I have a little bit to share about what has made this year so special. So follow me. Hey, here we are. As a house leader this year, I've had so much fun at Hayes. Th this year, we've had the chance to do a lot of meaningful things, especially through our fundraisers. At the beginning of the year, we did a food drive for the Lakewood Community Center to help families right here in our own
021community. It felt really good to know that what we were doing could make a difference close to home. More recently, we took part in one district, global impact. This helped us learn about global awareness and empathy and how people all around the world have different needs and experiences. It showed us that even though we are kids, we can still help others both in our own community and across the world. Because of our efforts across the district, we even we were even able to raise enough money to help build a home for a family in our south, which is really amazing. Being part of Hayes means being part of something bigger than just our school. It means caring about others, helping when we can, and working together to make a difference. Najimma will be telling you
022more about the fundraiser later. Thanks for being here and supporting us. >> Hi, my name is Najma and I am the house leader of Amistad, the house of friendship. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a house leader. I have to share about our house meetings in one of the service projects we worked on during the year. During the Altra food drive, each has created posters and collected different items to support the Lakewood Community Service Center. Salvari collected hygiene products. Avis collected breakfast items. River collected desserts and Isabundi collected box food and Alba collected paper products. This month gave us a chance to collaborate and help one another and work to together toward a common goal. It felt good to know that our efforts were supporting families in our community. Bye. >> Hi, my
023name is Brooke and I am the house leader of Alisma, the house of givers. This year has been such a meaningful experience for me because it has given me so many different opportunities to grow. Being a house leader has helped me become more confident speaking in front of students during assemblies and stepping up to lead in our building. I have learned how important communication is, not just when sharing ideas, but when bringing people together and helping everyone feel connected. This role has also taught me a lot about planning and organization. So much of what we do takes preparation, teamwork, and the ability to think ahead, and that has helped me grow as a leader. Through collaborating with others, listening with empathy, and being open to different perspectives, I have learned how strong leadership is really
024about supporting people and building in our community. These experiences have helped me grow not only as a leader in altruism but as a person. >> Hi, my name is Helen the house leader for Soulbar, the house of uplifting. Being part of the kindergarten householding has been such an exciting and meaningful experience, especially as we celebrate the second year of the house system at Haze. Helping plan this event has strengthened my communication and collaboration skills because it took constant teamwork with other houseers and regular communication with teachers to make sure every detail was organized and ready for the big reveal. And it's also helped me grow as a leader by giving me the opportunity to welcome our newest students and make them feel included and begin building relationships right away. One of my favorite parts of
025all has been book buddies because it gives us a chance to spend time with the kindergarten students and read to them throughout the year. That experience has really built my empathy and mindset because it not just reminds me that leadership is not just about organizing events, but about making others feel supported, valid, and part of our Haze community. >> Hi, my name is Charlotte and I'm the River House leader, House of Dreamers. As a house leader, I've gotten so many great opportunities and I'm really thankful for all of them. The other house leaders in our news crew have come so far this year. One special thing we got to be a part of was a veteran breakfast for our local and school veterans and their families. We helped welcome them and show appreciation for their
026service. We had breakfast from Bob from Bob Evans with lots of different options and everyone really enjoyed it. It it was a great way for us to say thank you and learn more about the people who had served our country. It also helped us build empathy and understand how important it is to care for others in our community. We also do a schoolwide book each year. This year we read Mr. Poppers Penguins and last year we read Charlotte's Web. We've been doing this for seven years straight and it's something that really brings our whole school together. Thank you for listening. Well, thank you very much. We appreciate your time. Um, hope you enjoyed the video. I think they did an amazing job. That is a nice production from our news crew and our house leadership.
027And, um, yeah, if you have any questions, um, I will let you talk to the kids. >> I just I know I saw a lot of you on Saturday either playing basketball or, um, cheering on the side. So, like, awesome job. Congratulations. That's a lot of fun and it's something hopefully you remember for a really long time, but good job. >> Um, I just appreciate you taking the time to put the video together. It was really well done and very informative, especially about your, you know, work for the LCSC. That's, you know, and how organized that was. So, uh, that was great information for us to have and and it's neat to see how the H system, you know, you guys using it that way. So, thank you. >> I liked um congratulations and thank
028you um congratulations on all your hard work and your accomplishments and thank you very much for representing the Lakewood City Schools um so admirably and thoroughly. Um it was really interesting listening to the presentation um about how each house had a different category for the um for the food drive. I thought that was very clever and useful. Um otherwise you end up with all macaroni and cheese. Um and even though we love cheese, but um and and then the book buddies. I love that fifth graders read with kindergarteners. I I've always loved that program whenever I see it anywhere and so um congratulations. Thank you. >> Well, I just want to say um those who presented tonight were fantastic. So, I know it takes a lot of uh courage and poise and and our speakers
029tonight uh in person and those who appeared on the video were all excellent. So, thank you so much. We appreciate you. >> Could we get a group photo of all of you at the backboard? >> Congratulations on your poise. >> For sure. >> That's amazing. >> Mr. Fortuna. Do you want your teachers up there, your staff? So cute. their fifth grade teacher. Um, she's a first year teacher. She >> does a really good job. Sarah If I was just listening and not watching watching the video or watching who was up there, I would not believe I was at an elementary school. These communication skills that have been developed are amazing. You guys are amazing. Thank you so much. Next, I invite to the podium Mr. Schlade, our director of human resources. You have a tough
030act to follow. >> Thank you, Mrs. Nidwiki for uh making the pressure a little higher there. Um building on years of intentional work around our vision of a Lakewood Ranger and shaped by the voices of many of our stakeholders, we continue to celebrate the educators who bring that vision to life each day. Tonight, we have the privilege of celebrating two colleagues who consistently bring our vision to life for students. Their commitment, their character, and their daily work with students reflect what it truly means to be a Lakewood educator. Please join me in welcoming Sam Ratliff and Sarah Marzacola to the podium as I prepare to share how each of them exemplifies the vision of a Lakewood Ranger. Individual small groupoup instructor Sam Ratliff joined Hayes Elementary fresh out of Kent State University this past fall
031and says every day since has been a blessing. I'm so lucky, says Sam. It doesn't feel like work much of the time and everyone here has helped me learn the ropes. Sam leans on the vision of a Lakewood Ranger competency of collaboration, working closely with intervention specialists and teachers to monitor student progress. She also taps into creative thinking to build an engaging learning environment. I try to do as many fun and engaging things as possible like games and competitions. I think it helps them remember more, says Sam. In her role, Sam focuses on helping students take ownership of their learning in reading and math. My goal is to make sure kids feel comfortable taking initiative of their learning and feel successful, says Sam. Hayes principal Eric Fortuna adds, "Samantha has been an outstanding addition to
032our building, stepping into the ISGI role quickly, showing both initiative and leadership. She restarted Girls on the Run and created a fun superhero themed literacy night that our students and families loved. She brings a positive energy to our school every day. Sam Ratliff, you ready? Sarah Marzacola is the cafeteria lead at Hayes Elementary and she sees her role as more than serving meals. She focuses on building real connections with students and colleagues. Each morning I try to find a positive thing to say to the students when they come in for breakfast, says Sarah, who wants them to start their day feeling good. Her communication skills also make her a strong collaborator. During the roll out of a new composting program this year, Sarah partnered with lunch monitors to create a simple, studentfriendly system. Now, in
033her first year as cafeteria lead after working at Harrison, Sarah regularly connects with other cafeteria leads for support. She also hopes to strengthen collaboration with the school's garden club by incorporating student grown lettuce into cafeteria salads. Sarah was already part of the Hayes community. Her children attended the school and she served multiple terms as PTO president. Per principal Eric Fortuna, who nominated her, is glad she's now on staff. Sarah was a longtime active member of PTO and did so many wonderful things for our school. I'm so happy to be working with her again, says Eric. She's been such a great addition to the staff and brings smiles to the kids' faces every day in the cafeteria. Sarah, thank you. >> Hello. Hi. It's my pleasure on behalf of the board to congratulate you. When you
034see this great haze spirit, you can see your work in it. So, thank you very much. Um, can I call you Sam? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Sam, congratulations. and Sarah, thank you very much. >> Would you like to say anything? >> Do you want to say anything? >> We're just so lucky to be at Hayes. We love the kids and all of the staff. >> I'm just happy to be back at Hayes and I love it. >> I'm That's so cool that you're back here. That's wonderful. Um, do you have family here or friends? >> My family's here. >> Well, would you like to introduce them or have them stand up? >> Oh, I'm sure they would love it. Like, they're really happy. It's my husband Terrence, my son Logan, and my youngest son, Luke.
035>> Happy to see you. My both my parents are here, my dad and my mom. >> Okay. >> Thank you all for allowing these great ladies to participate. So, thank you. >> Picture type. >> Okay. Thank you. And we do have a couple updates. Um, I'd like to invite our director of operations, Mr. Dano, to the podium. He's going to share some updates on our playgrounds. >> Oh, okay. >> Good evening, board, and thank you for the opportunity to bring you uh up to speed with uh two exciting projects associated with playgrounds. Uh, one, interestingly enough, is here at Hayes. Um, tonight you'll be uh voting uh final vote on a my recommended vendor uh who has since provided uh some renderings that we're putting up currently uh on the on the playground. Uh what
036you'll see uh there will be six new elements and poured in place rubber surface uh to reach all of the new elements to reach uh the western side of the swing set and to reach some components of the existing two large uh playground uh assemblies as you see. Next slide. What you see in front is a seessaw. Uh behind it is a um a climber that also has activity boards on the side. Next slide. There's your your climber. Next slide. Next slide. Uh there's a roller table uh that gives uh climbing through, over, under uh activities. Beyond that uh you will see a uh uh a b a bench opposing bench that uh will rock uh it gives uh students with mobility devices the ability to access that. Next slide. Off to the left is
037a whirl uh for merrygoround uh an inclusive merrygoround. Next slide. Uh off in the distance to the left is a arch swing. There we go. And one more. There's an aerial view. Again, uh the port in place rubber uh will surround all of the new six elements and um reach uh the western side of the swing and then a portion of the two existing excuse me two existing uh place structures. Any questions? >> We had the privilege of seeing these and hearing about Super. The uh the second uh update is is Horus man. Uh we had a walkth through. There are no slides for Horus man. Uh as I don't have a recommended uh vendor yet. We had a walkth through today. Uh bids are due a week from today. Uh we had a good
038turnout. There's been a uh significant turnout uh with email. So there's a there's a lot of participation. Um what you'll see there is the all of the existing elements on the playground will be removed. Uh we will be removing two parking spaces and a portion of some sidewalk to give us a larger footprint. Uh in that footprint you'll see uh a typical large play structure. You'll see a whirl. You'll see the um arch swings. Um, plus you'll see a a very tall climbing structure. And we're going we're going with uh with height because of our limited uh footprint even with uh removing two parking spaces and some sidewalk. Uh and that will uh again it will not be a complete pour in place. uh the rubberized surface will reach out to all of the inclusive
039elements uh and a portion of the new uh place structures that go in. So questions on horse man. >> So it's a mix of um pour in place and then engineered wood fiber is the other. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Very similar to what we're going to be doing here at Hayes. >> And why the mix of ground uh to keep the cost down. If we were to go with rubberized uh throughout um we may not be able to get two playgrounds done this summer. >> That's what I that's what I figured. But it's just good to know. It's just good to know. >> Yes. Is the for horse man is the play area the existing play area and the expanded space and is the concrete area where they play with balls and stuff going
040to stay the same concrete area or >> Yes, we're going to hold the uh >> that would be the west border where there's a a colorful large climbing structure uh that borders the asphalt playground. that that footprint of the asphalt playground will not change. >> Okay. >> That was important to a horseman as the kids do like to play ball on that. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> And as they do here, it's a great surface to play on if the playground uh is covered with snow. >> For sure. >> So, >> you don't shovel that. No, I'm just kidding. Um, so just as a reminder, this has been part of our major capital improvements. Um, and we've done a lot of work over at the high school and some of our other fields and you
041know, our are um, as nice as our playgrounds look, they are also 20 years old and in need of some repairs. And so these were the first two schools identified for this purpose. In addition to that, um I know I've received a couple questions about the Lincoln playground and there's two large structures there. Uh I believe somebody may assume that those are both for kids uh ages 5 to 12 and in fact Mr. Dano, do you want to share what >> Sure. Yeah. >> The uh the uh the two structures that are there uh the the southern structure was uh must have been mislabeled from the get-go. Both structure had a label of 5 to 12. The southern one actually can be two to five. Uh that label was removed and we're waiting on the
042uh original provider of the play structure for a new label to go on. Uh they will also be providing me uh other elements that we might want to consider for mounting uh on the brick wall of the chiller enclosure or any surface mounted uh play structures either on the rubberized surface or the asphalt playground. Great. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. You don't get applause very often, Mr. Dano, do you? Very good. And and then we I did have one other question that came to me that I want to bring up before. Treasurer Roadie has an update on the forecast is uh if we um if I go back to Lincoln Ferman, I know I've had somebody question preschoolers on the third floor. Um preschoolers aren't going to be on the third floor. We
043are in a um we are going to be in a partnership with the Y and we have offered them those spaces um for having before afterare and summer care and and some of their offices could be up on that third floor. So I know some people have questioned that. >> Thank you treasure. >> Okay. Good evening board president Shaughnessy, Vice President Dottman, distinguished members of the board and superintendent Nitzwiki. I have an update for you tonight on the district's financial forecast. I will be focusing on the February um update of the forecast and it'll just give an idea of the financial status of the district in the current year and looking ahead. So, first we'll start with looking at the projected revenues. This is for this year. And um just to note the forecast is
044for the general fund only. The district has multiple funds, food service fund, student activities funds, federal fund. This um forecast is focusing only on our general operating fund which is the main um the main fund where all the district's operations are uh in and out. So looking at this piraphph the um thing that I want to point out here is that most of the district's operating funding comes from its local taxes. So over um around 62% comes from our local residents property taxes. The next largest bucket or slice of the pie is from state funding um in the form of the basic state funding and um tax reimbursements as well. All other income includes anything that's not taxes or state funding, which is um income on investments and um other uh miscellaneous revenue, fees and
045such. Looking at our expenditures projected for this year, personnel is the main expense of a school district. Ours runs 82%. This is in alignment with other school districts across the state of Ohio because we are a service um organization. So our personnel is the district's largest investment. Other than that, the next largest um expense for the district is purchase services. This includes substitute personnel, utilities, um maintenance services, anything that has to be outsourced uh or performed um by an individual or professional other than an employee of the district. and then all other expenditures like supplies um technology um and uh building needs. This is a look at three um historical years, fiscal year 23, 24, and 25. The actual numbers there, the current year, which is in the middle of fiscal year 26, and then
046four years into the future. The purple bars are the revenue or the money coming into the district to be used. The yellow bars are the expenditures or the money flowing out for operations. You'll see in those first two years of the forecast, revenues um came in higher than expenditures and in that time we were building up the district's cash balance. The cash balance is that line that runs through the graph. Then in um last year, fiscal year 25. And then looking ahead, it's projected that um the district will receive less funding in than it will spend in each of the years. This is called deficit spending and it is something that's a normal part of operations in school finance and um it's expected and planned for and forecasted and we do have that cash balance
047built up to absorb those deficits in those years. It's one thing that we have to look at though because we have to look at the um longevity of um the district operating at a deficit and um really look at when is the right time to balance the budget or bring in additional funding. This is a look at the district's educated enrollment. Um this is data that I pulled from the system that was compiled um by the previous treasur. This is a look at from 2021 to 2030, the actual trend data of student enrollment and then a look into the future. On this slide, we see the daily cost per pupil. That's um total expenditures divided by all of the enrolled students um divided by the number of school days in a year. So that's a
048daily cost of $127 per student. Um and then the graph on the right, the purple portion of the piraphph that shows the state federal business taxes and um miscellaneous revenue. The yellow is the tax paid by the district's residents. So this is only residential tax. our residents um pay or make up 43% of the total revenue that is coming into the districts for its operations. So we are a heavily reliant district on its local um residents for support. So there are two financial forecasts at least that are put together or compiled each year. One in October um which will change to August this year and then an update in February. And these are filed with the state of Ohio and posted online. But um one thing that as treasur I do is look at the
049difference between what was published in October compared to what's published now and be able to explain that change. Revenues were higher in this February update than anticipated in October. That's mostly because we received an unanticipated refund from the county for fees associated with um the property reevaluation that took place in fiscal year 25. So that was a nice unexpected um receipt in from the county that boosted um our revenues up um less than 1% but still a significant amount. Expenditures are trending lower um in the February forecast than the October forecast mostly due to adjustments in um personnel. And this is um just something we keep an eye on to um in every month look at how our actual spending compared to the forecast. And then with this update we show um around a half
050a half of a percent difference. So still very close to what was anticipated and expected in the fall but um with updated with more meaningful data here in February. And what do these numbers mean? Hopefully this ca days cash on hand puts some context into the district's cash balance. If we were to receive no income in um how many days could we continue operations and um fiscal year 25 last year we ended up with 196 days on hand. This year anticipated 178 and then trending downward. That's because we are um you know like I said projected to deficit spend and eat into that cash balance. One of the thing that's really um notable about when an analysis on the days cash on hand and the decline is looking at the um the rate at the
051decline. So fiscal year 25 to 26 there is a decline but it speeds up going to 27 and then 28. So that's um just part of that conversation and decision- making and analysis when um the timing is considered uh for additional funds to be raised by the district. Um the district does have a cash does have a cash balance policy to post and um make it intentional what the target is and that's between 90 days and 150 days cash on hand. Um, and if it's outside of either of those bounds at any time in the forecast, there is a plan in place. And um, so and that's all that I have on the financial forecast. And, um, if you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer them. >> I have one. Um so one
052of the early pi graphs had 62% um of property taxes. Yeah, that one the local taxes at 62%. And then later you had a 43% of what residents are paying. >> Yeah, >> I don't get it. So this graph um on the projected revenue that local taxes 62% that includes not only resident taxes but also commercial taxes and um public utility personal property taxes. So that's all taxes um that are collected by the district. Then um when you sort it out between what residents portion of that 62% or of the total um operating budget of the district that's residents um specifically are paying that 43% of the of the operating burden. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate that explanation and um continually grateful to our residents for their support. Thank you. >> Yes. You're
053welcome. And I know you've explain you've pointed it out before, but that percentage has kind of flipped over the last 20 years or so that the that 60some percent used to be coming from the state and now it's >> Yes. >> local. Right. >> Right. Um that's called the state local share. And across the state of Ohio, not just in our district, but across the state, um the state share or that portion that the state contributes to public education funding has significantly declined over the years and it's only projected to continue to to decline. We um as a district actually received the least amount of state funding um available to any public school district, which is 10% of the cost of what it costs to educate a student. Okay. Thank you. >> And that concludes
054the superintendent's report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> At this point, I would like >> at this point I would like to offer the opportunity for anyone who would like to leave is welcome to leave. Uh if I know youngsters probably homework or >> Cavs game >> or the Cavs. I mean, I don't know what it's gonna be tonight. >> Of course, we'd love to have you stay for coming. You're welcome to stay. We love to have you, but >> we also know people have busy days tomorrow. >> I was wondering who Oh yeah. There's only one. >> Okay. Well, thank you anyone who remained. We appreciate it, especially those not employed by the district. Um, >> okay. >> But we are moving on to something equally important to what we've been talking about and
055that's Mrs. Kenberger's update on the legislative activity of our state. >> Yes. So, we have a couple different uh categories here. Um first of all, I wanted to do touch a little bit on the um the property tax uh efforts that are going on. As I me mentioned in a pre uh previous legislative update, you may be aware of a group that is making an effort to get a measure on the ballot for constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. Proponents are gathering signatures across the state to place an is the issue before voters on the November 20 at the November 2026 general election. To place the issue on the ballot, they must submit at least 413,000 valid signatures from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties by July 1st, 2026. The group has
056signaled that they expect to give an update on that effort within the next few weeks. Recently, a group called Protect Public Services formed to provide information about the potential impact of providing of eliminating property taxes. The group represents a broad coalition that brings together trade associations representing public schools, local governments, business organization, nonprofits, and other entities representing essential public services. As part of this effort, the coalition has launched a website at um pro protectpubervices.org or that contains data, fact sheets, and other resources to support informed conversations about the consequences of eliminating property taxes in Ohio. Please visit this website if you would like more information. Um, also wanted to call attention to um I like to try and point out different bills that might be introduced just so people are aware of them. And one
057of the one I wanted to point out this time is House Bill 531, religious chaplain and public schools. Um, and the sponsor uh wants this bill to allow school to allow school districts, community schools, and STEM schools to receive quote unquote support services and programs for students by volunteer chaplain in addition to but not in lie of school counselor services. Districts can establish requirements or procedures as necessary to implement its volunteer chaplain program. It subjects a volunteer chaplain under this bill to a criminal records check and reg they must register with the department of education and workforce but it does not require a license or certification from the state. This bill would also require each school district or school to vote on whether to adopt a policy authorizing a district or school to accept a
058volunteer chaplain beginning with the 20 26 2027 school year. So, that's just one of those ones. Um, and as a district that has a very robust uh program for supporting our students, I feel like we are good. Um, but it's just one of those ones I wanted to make people aware of. And lastly, um, I, uh, last week, um, Governor DeWine formally launched the Ohio Attendance Dash dashboard, uh, following the announcement of the the new tool in his last state of the state address. The Ohio attendance dashboard is a public tool designed to provide fast, transparent, and easy to use attendance data to help schools, families, and communities reduce chronic absenteeism. The dashboard is intended to be updated weekly to allow users to track statewide attendance trends and view chronic absenteeism rates by district, school
059building, and grade level. The school tool has received some push back, including that it has incomplete data participation. Um, nearly a quarter of Ohio districts are not yet uploading data, which limits the tools effectiveness for con comprehensive state view. There's some technical difficulties. Um and uh partly because Ohio lacks a uniform standardized method for tracking attendance. Um it misses the context and root causes of uh why absences might occur. Um such as districts that might have higher attend concentrations of homeless students or students in group homes or um maybe somebody has chronic illnesses or other family issues. Um and then some are concerned that this dashboard rather than being informative might be used in a ways to be pun punitive um towards schools um which is not useful to anybody. Um liquid is participating in
060this um and so you could view liquid's information. Um, but it's important to remember that different districts have different demographics, as I mentioned, and might have different meth methods for tracking attendance. So, even comparing districts would likely be an anacurate view of uh trends. It's also important to note that private and parochial schools are not mandated to participate in using this tool similar to the fact that private and parochial schools are not mandated to participate in state proficiency and achievement tests even those that receive voucher money. So I just wanted to as this new tool is rolling out just wanted to make that point. And that concludes my legislative update. Thank you. >> Any comments? >> I have a kind of a question and this might be a little ignorant. um the religious chaplain that
061is that is Christian only correct or are there other religions that would you just consider like leaders chaplain? I'm just curious. >> Um >> do you know what I'm >> um I'm sorry like if you're talking about religious chaplins is that just a purely >> I just saw that it said chaplain. I don't know that it's specified but I'm would I don't I can't say for sure that I could look into that and get back to you. >> Just curious. >> It's a great question. multiple. >> I don't I genuinely do not know >> or do I >> I mean it's it's a religious >> Yeah. >> person providing support services in the public schools which is >> right but >> it's not it's a defining requirement >> but how are we opening it to
062is it just one specific or is it all inclusive or I mean not that we need it not that we want it I'm just >> yeah that's a great question. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, we now move on to the communications portion of our meeting. Um, first we will ask for um any comments from board members >> anything to share? >> Um, I just want to point out I know um one of the staff spotlights like was it really involved in the Hayes PTO? Um, I know there are other staff members at Hayes that started as PTO members. I know of other schools where people started in PTO's and PTAs um and they want to work here and I just think that really says something about the culture of the school
063and the things that we provide here and just how welcoming and just how how good our staff is. >> 100% would agree. >> Um I want to give a shout out to all the Lakewood High School students that um took the SATs today. The juniors that took the SATs. Uh a shout out to Lakewood High School for providing that opportunity to our senior our juniors in school. Um the teachers who are administrating it and the there's a whole wacky exam schedule this week that um uh I give kudos to the principal uh Joy Morgan and um everybody figuring it out and our students for following it because the parents are basically just letting them loose and figuring it out. Um, so I just I just just really always appreciate them uh providing these opportunities for
064students and keeping everything on track and uh it's just really helpful. So thank you. >> Did you Okay. Um I just wanted to mention um congratulate the PTA council on the reflections program they had at the high school. Um I believe 57 superintendent Nitsuki was there as well. 57 I think 23 had gone to state or 27 in the 20s had gone to the state and three came back. Two with honorable mentions and one with the third place. But it was a lovely uh event and I >> I agree they did a really great job this year hosting it at back at the civic. Yeah. and having um some appetizers or some snacks and and bottles of water and then the kids really um being proud of each other. A lot of clapping for each
065other in the auditorium as they got to walk across the stage. So, it was it was a neat opportunity >> and they displayed their work very well. It just it's so fun to shake those all those tiny hands. I mean, it's just there a lot of really young kids and um and then more high school participation I think this year. So anyway, I wanted to give them a shout out because um this year they really it they have a lot to build on. It was great. Okay. And so we would now move on to public comments and I believe we have one person signed up. Um Rebecca Bos, if you would like to come forward. Um we allow three minutes of um addressing the board and um if you would give your name and the
066street on which you live. Perfect. Um good evening. My name is Becca Boss and I live at 1296 Andrews. My husband Dave and I are the proud parents of four Lakewood Rangers and we have experience at the elementary, middle, and high school stages. We chose Lakewood intentionally. It had a lot going for it, but it was the public schools, the strong public school system that really tipped the scales for our family. We were looking all over Northeast Ohio. I keep looking over here. It was so full. I'll look this way. Um, we we explored communities all over Northeast Ohio. We visited schools. We grilled administrators. Um, I have a very distinct memory towards the end of that process of sitting in the office of a guidance counselor, not in Lakewood, and describing what we were
067looking for. We had this ideal wish list. We wanted experienced educators. We wanted a diverse student body. We wanted challenging academics. We wanted STEM and art and music and extracurriculars and wraparound supports. and she looked at us and she sighed and she stood up and she closed the door and she said,"You do not want to come to this district. You should move to Lakewood." True story. Um, she was right and I can think of countless examples of how our family has benefited from all of those things in this district. It has served us well and our students have thrived. We know that this is only possible because over the years and the decades before our family chose Lakewood that the people who live in this community chose to invest in our students and our schools.
068It's the stable funding. It's the the the um the support of the community that allows the district to plan to be able to provide all of those things that we were looking for and that there's many families like ours who choose Lakewood. What I've learned being part of the levy committee is that this is a destination district. My family is not unique. I've talked to so many other families that have made those same choices and I think that we are at we are at a a crossroads. We have an opportunity to continue to choose to be a community that is a destination district where we attract educ we attract educators with all of the experience that families are seeking and that allows our entire community to thrive. So, with the election only two weeks away,
069my final request is that everybody makes a look this way. Make a plan. Make a plan to vote. Um, we know that we have a lot of support, but we need to leverage that and turn that into people who bring their voice to the voting booth or to their their kitchen table if they're voting um by mail. because I grew up in a hometown where a levy in the late 90s failed by single votes and there were people in my house who didn't vote that day and it was devastating to all of us. And so we recognize how important it is to advocate with our family, with our friends, with our neighbors, not just to be supportive of the levy, but to get out there and vote. It's it's an opportunity, but really I think
070of it as a responsibility that all of us have to support our community, our schools, and our students. Those that we saw here tonight, those who are going to be coming to our community because they choose it, and those in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I didn't even look up here. And that is our only public uh the only person who has signed up to give a statement. So we will move on to the consent agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. This requires a roll call vote. >> Excuse me. >> This is for the consent agenda. Okay. Thanks. Could I have the first and second? Oh, okay. Oh, right. I got Okay. Thanks, >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >>
071Mrs. Dottman. Hi, >> Mrs. Clerk. Sutton. >> Hi, >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi, >> Miss Katsenberger. >> Hi. >> Thank you. And the consent agenda is adopted. We now move on to the um human resources and community services report and resolutions. Mrs. Dman. >> Okay. We have um 11 certified actions, unpaid leave, absences, appointments, special compensation, and 11 classified appointments, special compensation, salary, and pay rate adjustments. Can we um vote on those together? >> Okay. >> Yes. >> A second. >> Thank you. Make a motion. Sorry. >> Yes, make a motion. >> I so excited I can put them together. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> And uh M1 and two here. >> Okay. >> And then we have 126 total community recreation education
072actions um with aquatics, athletics, venat field maintenance and programs. And I move to approve. >> I second. However, I also ask for a roll call vote. Please. Great. Great. May we give a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. Hi. >> Mrs. Dottman. Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Abstain. >> Miss Katsenberger. >> I. >> Thank you. The motion carries. >> Okay. >> And then last, I have a resolution to approve the service agreement between Lakewood Board of Education and Breitb. This agreement with RightB provides a district with an additional option to secure qualified substitute classified staff on an as needed basis to address ongoing staffing shortages. The service allows us to quickly fill critical support roles while ensuring all individuals meet required background checks and credentials. It will help maintain
073continuity of operations and student support needs when regular staff are unavailable. Um and I make a motion to approve. >> Second resolution. Resolution has been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. And the motion carries. We now move on to other board business. And I believe there are two items, both Mrs. Steman. >> Okay. Um I have one certified action for the resignation for the purpose of retirement and I request approval on one reading. >> Second. >> The motion has been made requesting approval on one reading. So this will require a roll call vote. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Dottman. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Katsenberger. >> I. >> And the motion carries. And the reason
074we do these um on a one one meeting vote is so that they can get these posted tomorrow probably. Yeah. >> And uh look for qualified people. >> All right. And then I also have two classified resignations that I request approval on. in one reading. >> Second. >> Okay, it's been moved and seconded. Um, may we have a roll call? >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Dman. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi, >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Kazenberger. >> I And the motion carries. And we now reach uh the adjournment portion of the meeting. And is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and second that we adjourn. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. And the meeting is