001Hello everyone. I would like to call this uh meeting of April 13th of the board of education to order. Um may we have a roll call? >> Mrs. Shaughnessy >> here. >> Mrs. Dottman here. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton >> here. >> Mr. Callahan >> here. >> Miss Katenberger >> here. >> Thank you. And if you would care to join us in the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you very much. First item 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. May we have a roll
002call. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Dman. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Kenberger. >> I. >> Thank you very much. Next item is approval of minutes. We have minutes of the regular board of education meeting held March 16th and approval of the minutes of a special board of education meeting held March 19th. We've had a chance to review these. Are there any additions or corrections? >> No. >> Is there a motion to accept the minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded that we approve the minutes. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? There are none. And we now come to the superintendent report. Good evening, President Shaughnessy, Vice President Dotman, distinguished board members, Treasure Roodie.
003It is my pleasure to invite to the podium tonight our coordinator of alternative education, Mrs. Terry Lwell, Bonino. I I'm going to change that around and say it the way it's supposed to be. Terry Borino Lwell, I apologize for that. Missy, Vice President Dottman, distinguished board members, Superintendent Nidwis, Nedwiki, and Treasure Rodie. Thank you for having us here tonight. When it came to selecting a resilient ranger, it wasn't easy selecting one. So, FSO decided that we would select two. We have before you tonight two amazing individuals. Mr. Maroo is going to tell you why the FSO staff selected these two individuals. Uh good evening. So tonight I have the privilege of recognizing uh our two Resilient Rangers, Sylvie Smith and Keiante Swain. Uh two students who truly demonstrate our six vision competencies. And we're going
004to invite them up now. I believe So, first I'm going to talk about Sylvie. Uh, Sylvie is a senior who came over to us back in 8th grade uh and attended online. And then for high school, they moved to inerson learning where they have truly thrived. Teachers and staff describe Sylvie as a bright light who brings positivity into every room with an infectious attitude that lifts those around them. They are a dedicated and hard-working student who attends consistently, asks thorough follow-up questions, and takes pride in completing their work at a high level. Sylvie is also known as a caring, respectful, and inclusive friend, someone who shows genuine empathy, and goes out of their way to make peers feel welcome and supported. In and out of the classroom, Sylvie represents our school with pride and authenticity,
005serving as a student participant on the district leadership team and as a student in the Westshore Theater Program. Sylvie is on track to graduate next month with the class of 2026 and plans to continue their education at Ken State University. We are incredibly proud of Sylvie and excited to see all that they accomplish in the future. >> Are we going to pause there? We gonna want to keep going. Sie Smith, >> congratulations. >> Thank you. >> We're very proud of you and we're very proud always to see all of you here opportunity. Appreciate it very much. So, I look forward to seeing you at graduation. Thank you. Thank you. So now for Keiante. Kiante is a junior who joined us back in seventh grade. Uh over the years we have seen him grow mature from
006an energetic middle school student into the responsible young man that he is today. Kee is widely recognized by teachers and staff as a dependable and hardworking student who consistently shows up with a great attitude, ready to learn and get to work. He asks questions, seeks clarity, and follows through to ensure he fully understands the material, and is always open to assistance and feedback. Kiante is a young man of integrity, respectful, kind, and considerate to both peers and staff even in challenging situations. He is often described as a role model, encouraging others to do the right thing and to work hard. In the classroom, he is very engaged, building positive relationships with both classmates and teachers. Kiante has excelled with his coursework and has already completed all of his online electives for graduation early. He is
007on track to graduate next year with the class of 2027 and currently plans to attend college after high school. We are so proud of the growth Keiante has shown and look forward to all that lies ahead for him next year and beyond. >> Congratulations. >> Very happy to meet you and uh recognize you. I didn't ask before, but do you have family members here that you would like to introduce or go ahead and then we'll go to you? >> I have my sister and mom here who've been there in my entire life. >> I got I got my brother I got my brother and my mom. >> Okay, that's great. Anything else you'd like to say? Okay. I think there'll be a photo >> and then we'll get one with families up here. Yeah. Is
008it? >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Congratulations. Thank you. This past fall, Superintendent Miss Wiki announced the 2526 theme for this school year. In her words, Lakewood strong. It is more than a motto. It is a reminder of our collective strength, our shared commitment, and the impact we make together. The motto became the foundation of FSO even before the school year began. What we once called our school, our building, our home, a place we loved and built as our own, a place we thought we could never live without has driven us to become flexible, open-minded, and connected. For the past nine months, our teachers and students build a new foundation, unpack the six core competencies together in a new surrounding and along and all along resilience remained at the forefront. With change came challenges, but staff
009and students embraced positive attitudes, made adjustments, and continued to move forward. At this time, students and staff of SF FSO would like to present to you what they have done to this point as they work together in their shared commitment to m to remain resilient and remain Lakewood strong. In government and geography, we have covered a wide range of topics that help us become more globally aware citizens. In government, we learned how bills become laws and how individuals can be civically engaged in United States. In geography, we explored how cities develop and how historical trends continue to impact people today. Together, these subjects have expanded our worldwide view and helped us become more thoughtful and informed global citizens. We have also focused on staying informed about current events, whether it is understanding what is happening
010in Congress or examining global conflicts such as tension in Iran. We make an effort to stay up to date and aware of the world around us. Through my science and math classes, I've built the critical and creative thinking skills from the vision of a liquid graduate. In science, we collect and analyze data from experiments. And in math, we model real world problems and explain our solutions. Those experiences have helped me become a more confident thinker and better prepared for college and careers. >> In English class, we are learning about empathy by seeing the world through different characters and time periods. We've read works like Beaolf, The Canerberry Tales, Hamlet, and 12th Night. Even though these texts are really old, the characters still deal with problems like fear, love, pride, and making hard choices, which makes
011them relatable. We can understand Beaowolf's need to be remembered, Chaucer's pilgrims and their different personalities, and Hamlet's confusion and hesitation. We've learned about different cultures and how authors have challenged the societal norms of their times, including the role of religion in society, the mistreatment of minorities and women, and what characteristics and values leaders should possess. By reading and talking about these works, we start to realize that people from long ago weren't that different from us. This helps us understand other perspectives better and become more empathetic in real life. Communication at FSO thrives because it's built on trust, respect, and genuine relationships between staff and students. We prioritize open dialogue, making sure every student feels heard, understood, and valued. Staff members take the time to listen without judgment, while students are encouraged to express themselves honestly,
012and take an active role in their learning. This mutual respect creates a supportive environment where communication flows naturally and challenges can be addressed together. Collaboration. Collaboration at FSO is unique due to our smaller class sizes. We have the opportunity to not only work with our peers but also have a low teacher to student ratio to maximize student help and the feedback for learning. FSO students benefit from having a relaxed student centered environment. We also have extra time to focus on constructive feedback from our teachers and chances to revise our work multiple times to help achieve mastery. It it is a perfect grading for equity situation. The teachers are grading our work not grading the time of the work. With retakes and redoss being encouraged, we are aiming for all students to achieve the next slide.
013Growth mindset. A growth mindset means believing in yourself and knowing you can always do better for yourself and not giving up when things get hard in life. Rock stands for ruling our experiences. In rocks, we learn to grow, support each other, and build confidence. I struggle with feeling hopeless and sorry for myself, but I had to get out of my fixed mindset. In Rocks, we can all be comfortable with being ourselves while growing in a judgment-free zone. In rocks, we are resilient and don't give up when life throws us challenges. >> FSO career day and PBIS day at Winterhurst are perfect for the end of our presentation as they encompass all six slides. The Beacon Grant from the Elks Club supports our students and families through the holiday lunchon, spiritware t-shirts, and our pantry clothing,
014toiletries, and essentials. They provide bus passes to remove barriers to attendance and field trips and incentives to increase participation. Career Day through our partnership with Junior Achievement builds real world skills such as setting goals, budgeting, college and career planning, and interview skills >> and government. Before I um entertain any questions, I'd just like to take the time to um ask my staff, the whole FSO staff to please stand and recognize them as they um worked very hard with the students to put this together. They've done an incredible job >> questions. I just a comment just want to thank you and recognize you and the team for um for embracing change for embracing the new space um you know being the dedicated and flexible professionals that you all are. I I I've said this before you
015travel together you know and I just we appreciate you uh all coming uh to uh to tonight's meeting. So thank you. I just want to say how proud I am to be part of a school district that has Franklin School of Opportunity and having watched it develop and grow to meet the different everchanging needs of our students and meet more and more students needs over the years. and um and you folk sorry you folks that um go every day and work every day at FSO and the students who show up and do all those amazing um all the competencies and critical thinking and collaboration and it's just it's I'm very proud to tell people that we have Franklin School of Opportunity in the Lakewood schools. >> I I loved hearing about the grades too. I
016think teaching for mastery is so much more important than just teaching. you know that you have a deadline, you have this um and it really shows the kids that like they have they have the time, they have the space and the capacity and everybody can learn just at a different pace. I think that's amazing. >> I just want to compliment not only the video because I know obviously a lot of work went into that. It was excellent and I was very impressed by the student presenters and the voiceovers in the video. I mean that could really be used as a marketing piece. It was really excellent. Um so kudos to them. I noticed uh I believe Sylvia you mentioned that you're in the you're in a Westshore pro in the theater program. >> Oh, so
017is my daughter. Um but uh is it easier in the new space for students to participate in, you know, to go back and forth to Wester programs, >> Sylvie? >> Yes, >> that's good. And I know that that was the hope that part of the that proximity would be would make it more flexible. So, I'm glad to hear that that's the case. But, thank you. It's just so neat to see um how it it's made the the process easier for things like that and just overall we I just really appreciated that comprehensive look into what you guys are up to and and how wonderful it is. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. And also a shout out to Doug Bunsy and the tech team. They've been incredible. >> Wonderful. >> I will congratulate
018you all on making the you deal with um so you're dealing with so much change now, but one thing that never changes is how the staff works for the students and how the students respond to the staff. Year in and year out, I think I say that same thing, but it has never changed. and you went through a it's hard to adjust to a new location even if it's nice and new and everything. So I I really admire all of you students, parents and staff and you have done a marvelous job. So congratulations and uh you're a good model for all of us. >> Thank you. >> Any other >> Thank you. Great job. >> Thank you. Next, I'm going to invite up to the podium Mr. Schlade. He is going to share our April
019educator spotlights. >> Thank you, Mrs. Nidwiki. So, building on years of intentional work around our vision of a Lakewood Ranger and shaped by the voices of our many stakeholders, we continue to celebrate educators who bring that vision to life each day. Tonight I have the privilege of celebrating two colleagues who consistently bring our vision to life for students. Forgot what Mr. Cali told me to do. There we go. 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 Renee Hart and Josh Malamas as I prepare to show and share how each of them exemplifies the vision of a Lakewood Ranger. So come on up here. So, as the school psychologist at Franklin School of Opportunity, Renee Hart sees her focus
020on student wellness as just one part of a team effort dedicated to supporting students in every way possible. Collaboration is huge, says Renee, who regularly consults with parents, teachers, administrators, and students to find the best solution for any struggling students. All of these pieces working together is important. Renee, who joined the district in 2013 and serves students at Lakewood High and Garfield as well, har heavily relies on the vision of a Lakewood Ranger competency of empathy in the process of building trusted relationships with students, says FSO principal Terry Bernino Elwell. Renee exhibits a strong commitment to student well-being, consistently demonstrating compassion and a desire to make things better. She goes above and beyond to seek out resources and support systems to help improve students situations. Renee believes students deserve a voice in working out issues
021and makes sure that they feel included in the process. I like to be upfront and honest with them that they are part of the team and we can problem solve together, says Renee. Renee practices the vision competency of growth mindset by seeking out opportunities to learn new strategies, often through professional development courses. And she also grows her skills through her membership on the Western Kyhoga County School Crisis Community Team. I feel like there's word switched there. crisis counseling team. Thank you. Rene's commitment to serving the whole child is evident in her leadership at FSO and Garfield with the Rocks SC girls group, which aims to empower girls to be confident and self- assured and learn tools to help them successfully navigate a complex world. It's just one example of Rene's continuous commitment to helping students
022thrive both in and out of the classroom. Renee Hart to you. Josh Malamus landed the science teacher job at Franklin School of Opportunity upon earning his teaching certification in 2016. He has been at FSO ever since and he wouldn't have it any other way. He feels fortunate to work in a small school setting as he believes it helps foster a strong sense of connection between students and staff that can't be duplicated in larger traditional school settings. You can build a rapport with the kids. Josh says, "Building that relationship over three or four years by having the same students each year allows me to better help them." Besides the vision of a Lakewood Ranger competency of communication, Josh finds it easy to use his collaboration skills with his colleagues since they are in close proximity. He
023often works with FSO math teacher Missy McCarthy to make sure that the math concepts he is including in his science lesson align with the way that Missy has been teaching them to students. FSO school counselor Andrew Maruk notes Josh's willingness to collaborate and support others. Whether it's covering a class, supporting an escalated student, or jumping in to assist with the building issue, he is flexible, dependable, and always able to adjust on the fly. He is an experienced educator who is well respected by his colleagues and often looked to for advice and support. As a father and coach, Josh brings a valuable realorld perspective into the classroom. Andrew also remarked how Josh makes a point to incorporate life lessons into his teaching, noting that it creates opportunities for meaningful conversations about finances, employment, goal setting, and
024more. He adds, "Josh has built strong relationships with our students and is a genuine advocate for our alternative learners. Josh Malamus." >> Yeah. Thank you. >> And we also have just a little token of our esteem for each of you. Rene >> Josh, >> I know you have your whole school family here, which is like a family. Is there anyone else here with you tonight? I have my husband, Jonathan, and my three little Lincoln Rangers, Ethan, Liam, and Aiden. >> My kiddos and wife are at sports right now. I got a son playing baseball right now. My daughter's at softball, so >> Well, good. Well, you have your other family and friends. >> Um, well, thank you very much for all you do. We all meant what we said about what goes on at Franklin
025School of Opportunity, and it's all you individuals that are doing that. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> And I think they want Congratulations. Next, I would like to invite up our athletic director, which is probably going to start his tour of coming to board meetings, kick off his tour, uh, as he shares some of our recognitions for our winter's sports qualifiers. Thank you, Superintendent Nidwiki, Treasurer Roadie, President Shaughnessy, Vice President Dotman, and distinguished board members. I've been invited here tonight to recognize the efforts of some of our amazing student athletes and the coaches that helped them achieve their goals this winter. First, I'd like to recognize our boys basketball team who could not be here tonight, but they did win their second consecutive Cleveland West Conference this year. Um they were 12
026and two and Riley Verber was named defensive player of the year in the CWC and coach Kamock earned his second consecutive coach of the year in the CWC. So at this time I'd like to welcome three of our dedicated varsity coaches to the to the podium. They're here tonight to highlight the hard work and achievements of a few of their athletes. I'm going to bring them all up at one time basically because we're one athletic family. So, first it's my pleasure to introduce the leadership behind our highly successful aquatics program. Patricia Poric tonight is the head coach for our boys swim team. Over her six-year tenure, Coach Poric has transfor transformed the program, growing it exponentially through her dedication to athlete development and team culture. Joining her tonight is assistant coach Mike Pearlman and they
027are here representing a diving program that has reached elite levels of consistency. While head coach Denny Dyke could not be with us this evening, we want to recognize his incredible leadership in producing a state qualifier for three consecutive seasons. Coach Patricia Poric and coach Mike Pearlman. Next up, it is my pleasure to introduce Charles Moore, our head boys indoor track coach. Since taking the helm two years ago, Coach Moore has transformed the program through sheer magnetism and expertise. Under his leadership, the roster has surged from 29 athletes three years ago to a record 50 athletes this year. While his success is a double-edged sword that has me constantly hunting for more uniforms and extra buses, it is the kind of problem that's the best kind to have. The students truly love competing for him and
028his ability to engage our youth has made indoor track one of the fastest growing programs in the district. Coach Moore. And finally, it is an honor to introduce Coach Russ Germaine, our head girls wrestling coach. In just three short years, Coach Germaine has transformed our program into a powerhouse, producing an unprecedented five state qualifiers in the last three years, a feat few schools will ever experience. His success, however, isn't just measured in medals. Coach Germaine has mastered the rare balance of high performance coaching. He drives his athletes to excel through genuine connection rather than pressure. He challenges them without demeaning them, fostering a culture of dedication so strong that his team chose to return to the match to resume training after a mere two-week break from the state finals. Please join me in welcoming coach
029Russ Germaine. Now, Coach Poric will come up and speak about her diver. >> Thank you, Mr. Salone. >> Hey, everyone. I am Coach Poric. Um, this is my sixth season at Lakewood High. Um, as the swim coach, I have known Billy Cummings since he walked onto the dive team with zero competitive dive experience four years ago. I've watched him grow into the state diver that he is today. This did not happen by accident. Billy overcame adversity at just about every turn. He competed he was constantly competing against his own teammates and other divers have been diving their entire lives. Anytime that he missed a diving top spot, I personally can attest to the type of character that he is. Uh we typically try not to swim our divers, but every once in a while we
030need a spot s filled. Um, and we could always count on Billy, especially when we threw him into arguably two of the toughest events, the 500 free and the 100 fly. He did both with minimal complaining, if any. This season, he came into his own. He hit the diving board with confidence, determination, and worked hard to earn him a fourth place podium spot in the conference, as well as state qualifying honors at the diving meet. These traits will serve him well in his future. He's planning on attending OSU to study biomed engineering next year. I could go on and on about his character and just all of his achievements for the team and beyond. Um, but I'll just end by saying how proud myself, the entire coaching staff, especially coach Denny Dyke, who couldn't be
031here tonight, um, are of Billy. So, congratulations Billy Cummings and all of your achievements. stand. Do you want to say >> I've uh met Billy Cummings kindergarten day one. I happened to be standing in the room when he first walked in and I will never forget him walking through that door with this kind of appleeyed look on his face. You know, there's kindergarten on the other end of that door. He's um traveled with my family every summer to Clay's Park and um I was there when he did his first dive off of a giant igloo thing on the water park there and I was also there to see him jump off the high dive um when he was very young for the very first time. So, uh, he also runs cross country. He also runs
032track and field. He also did a big workout today. He's just an incredible athlete all the way around. So, congratulations, Billy. Congratulations to our diving and swim programs. Congratulations to our wrestling programs. Every time I've had the opportunity to come here in the winter and speak, they're always here. They're always here. So, they're just incredible programs um here in Lakewood. Um, we had practice today and uh, this is what I call my journal of pain and agony because these are all the notes that I take from the guys that do the workouts and I usually try to scribble a few notes um, over to to get the opportunity to say some nice things about Lakewood Kids, which is one of my favorite things to do in life. So, um, as opposed to doing hard workouts
033today and logging it guys, I'm going to say some nice things about you guys. Um, I did a little bit of homework coming in here and I was, you know, curious how big is track and field in the United States and compared to other sports and we have just about over a million people that do football. Um, for track and field boys and girls about 1.3 million that combines indoor and outdoor track. Um, and it's just in the state of Ohio indoor track which is what I'm representing here is just been exploding the last several years. So, um, thank you very much to the board, the community, the rec center, the boosters, and everybody that has helped, uh, make this possible, especially like what Rob said, what the athletic department does for us to, you
034know, we don't have a big training facility, right? So, we have to make we have to be very creative and find hallways and mats and work with the recck department to to use the the track upstairs. So, um, it just goes to show what you can do and what like what kids are willing to do if you give them the opportunity to do that. And um of those 89,000 boys that participated in indoor track across the country this year, 50 did for Lakewood and four that we get to represent right here who made it to a state meet. And that's a division one state meet. That's the best of the best, which means you have to be in the top 16 in the entire state of Ohio to represent Lake to get the opportunity to
035represent Lakewood. Um we have Boston Boss Truit. Give it up for Boss back there. Um, when you make it when you make it to state as a sophomore in three different events indoor in division one, you get to be boss for the day. So, you're boss for the day. Um, give it up to Anthony Hollywood Harrove. I like to call him Hollywood Harrove. He's the best looking of our sprinters. Um, give it up to Tyrese National Caliber Gatling. Tyrese got to also compete at the national meet in Boston uh this this year. It was great going to see him run against the best of the best in in the entire country. And this is a little bit of an inside joke, but give it up for my OG Gio pain baby Kroshia. Give it up
036for Gio. So, it's a little bit of an inside joke, but I'll make it more of an outside joke. When I first started working with Gio a long time ago, um pain was not his thing. He did not want to be in Coach Moore's journal of pain and agony. And he just continued to work and develop and grow because we gave him the opportunity to do it. and now it's just incredible to get to see him here um and participating in a state meet. These guys made it in the 60 meter, the 200 meter, the long jump, and the 4x2. So, they represented Lakewood at a very high level. Their 4x2 time was uh not only a indoor record, but it also broke the outdoor track and field record at Lakewood. Uh Boston broke his
037own indoor long jump record, which also broke the outdoor long jump record. Um, Tyrese got the new 60 meter indoor record and Boston got the new 200 meter indoor record. So, it was really just an incredible performances by these guys across the board. Um, for me, you know, what's my favorite part of it? Certainly watching them get to achieve, you know, incredible things, but I love relays because in relays, you know, like is it an individual sport? Is it a team sport? What is it really? And when you run a relay like a 4x two together, everybody participates. Everybody touches the baton. And you have to be just perfect. You have to work together really hard. And they they really did that this year. And watching that 4x two qualify for state and then go
038compete at the highest level. And then after that, watching them just being so happy and exhilarated in competing together and just watching their friendship that I've watched them these last couple years work to get to this point. It was just incredible. So, um, thanks so much, guys. Thanks so much to the parents who helped support. Thanks so much to Rob, board, and everybody that help, um, continue to grow our program. >> Gentlemen, why don't you guys come up here, a little bit taller than me, and I just got my 10,000 steps in walking from there to here. So, thank you. I'd like to thank the board. I'd like to thank Rob, all the support from athletics in general. I'd also have to thank my wife. She allows me and gives me uh does everything at
039home so I can do what I need to do for the girls. Um, also my assistant coach, he's absolutely amazing. He's the brains of the operation. I'm the good looks. So, we we try to work it out that way. But, uh, our girls are absolutely amazing. Wrestling's a all sports are tough. Wrestling is a very tough sport. You come in and you throw each other around and you beat on each other and you try to turn a human into a pretzel every day at practice and these girls do a very good job of it. Um Riley placed and Ela placed first and second in so many tournaments. Uh in wrestling you have to go to sectionals, place in the top four. Uh Riley took se uh first and Ela took first at sectionals. Then you
040have to place in the top four at districts. Ela took first. Riley took second at districts. Then they both qualify for states. To get just to qualify for states is absolutely amazing. Riley went one and two at states. Um Ela took sixth at states. So next year we're hoping to get them both up on the podium. Uh Ela 3 GPA. Phenomenal student. Riley over four point and she's in the nursing program here. It's just phenomenal to see what they can do and what they've done on top of sports. They're just all around great kids. And I'm not a huge talker, but again, thanks everybody. Riley Robertson and Ela. Okay. Now, I get the fun job of giving you these in recognition of your achievements. Oh, so sorry. Oh, no problem. Bill, >> Billy Cummings, congratulations.
041I'm so impressed that you're filling in in the swimming part while in the diving part. I mean, I have a nephew who swims and that's amazing. Um, okay. Now, we have track and field. These are made out in your regular names, not the names. So, So, you could get some put over, but you're going to have to say Boston. >> Okay. Sorry. Congratulations. Um, Anthony, >> okay, congratulations. Mr. Tyrese Gatling, congratulations. And Giovani uh Crochia, >> congratulations. And We have Riley Robertson. Congratulations and congratulations. Wonderful job. So, we're so proud of you. Thank you so much. Mr. Sloan has become a regular this guys all make us very proud. Um, do you have family or friends that came with you tonight that you would like to acknowledge? My mom and dad. >> I know there's
042some people here. You pass that down to whoever wants. >> Um, my supportive mom and dad are here. My parents. >> My mom and dad. >> My mother is here. >> My mom. So maybe you could just stand up at least we could see who you are as a group. >> Thank you very much. Okay. >> Yeah. Two lines or two roads. Thank you. Everyone seems a little happier after spring break. >> So, I just had one more update for the board. Um in front of you I had placed the minutes from our shaping tomorrow together committee that we um Mr. Austin and I held the first meeting a few weeks back and um these will be posted also up on the website. Uh we also had already posted the agenda, but really looking through
043it, it was a lot of conversation about how we the city and the schools can continue to work together to provide um maybe yearly thoughts around where the crossing guards go. Um you know, some families discussed at the time that, you know, maybe they don't have that many in one area and more in the other. And I think it is timely enough that maybe we make that a consistent practice to assist in that way. Um and of course safety was always uh part of the the conversation. And so our next meeting will be coming up in just a few weeks and um and again I will post the agenda and the minutes from that. Any questions or >> no? All right. I just have a the safe routes to school committee that is partly the
044city and bike lakewood and uh the Lakewood city schools. the crossing guards is a topic of concern um at every one of our meetings and it's that um the funky relationships that we have um here in Lakewood where rec department is run by the schools um on the Lakewood city properties and the crossing guards are hired and supervised by the city of Lakewood but they are crossing our children to safety and so they are trying to do an audit to um and the public's works and the police department are kind of working on an audit to look at crossing guards. >> Yeah, that's great. I know that um and I don't know if this falls under that conversation or this conversation, but I know that it had been discussed um about different kinds of signage
045or indications of where the crosswalks are, whether it's something maybe on the pavement or something because I know a lot of I don't know if all of them, but most of the crosswalks have a stoplight in the middle of them and a lot of times people will stop and then the light changes and they go at the regular speed after, you know, so I know there's a lot of challenges. Yeah, there were quite a quite a few thoughtful suggestions that, you know, necessarily hadn't thought of. I know that um our school zone signs come right but right up to our um properties. And so if you think about Clifton for a minute, sometimes those those individuals aren't slowing down until they're almost right on Emerson. Mhm. >> Um and so, you know, we have a
046really thoughtful group and people that are on the committee for the hike and bike and then also um city council members that are very excited to work together on improving some of these things that we could, you know, that will transcend over the years. Not just for the purpose of repurposing our building, but also just making um the community walk for students across the board. because that goes for, you know, our high school students, too, that um there are some intersections and parking that's happening on the street that can cause some some dangerous situations. Um so, I think just the conversations alone are going to get us in a better place. So, excited about that. I also have um you know we I do receive some questions and they're not like frequently asked questions necessarily
047and the questions that go on to the website are really about the transition we're moving forward. Some people have some questions of of the past still and I said I'd be happy to work through some of them at board meetings to share. So I'm going to share one today about you know what will happen to Taft. So, as we continue to look at our facilities, we have curriculum rooms that house all of the district curriculum materials throughout the district. So, right now, we're compiling and so those are classroom spaces. Right now, we're compiling all of those spaces that have that throughout the district and that will come back to Taft to central office where we're often those that's where those materials should be. Um, we've had the luxury of being able to put them out
048there. We didn't always have Tafted. So when we had Warren Road and transferred over those room, that's why those curriculum rooms were developed over the years through empty classrooms in the district because Warren Road didn't have the space for it. So uh we're continuing to, you know, kind of clean up our house a little bit and reorganize. Um in addition to that, you know, some people have asked about the preschool um supplies or tables, chairs. Well, those are going to go to the early learning center. And so, you know, the cost of the early learning center is very low since it's already an elementary building, but um all the materials, for example, little chairs, little desks, you know, size, proportioned, um bookshelves, things like that will head over to Lincoln. So just thinking through all
049those things, you know, as I often say it's, you know, I have I've shared many times I have a house with four bedrooms in it. We had four kids. Someone goes off to college, there's an empty room. Well, what happened at my house, the second one decided he needed his own room, so he moved into there, but then the second one goes off to college. Then the third one goes off to college, >> and I and I'm left right now with a high schooler and two empty bedrooms. And so I think that's when people start thinking how do we reorganize our house or do we downsize our house because do you need the spaces still if you don't have everybody still living in those house and those spaces in your house. So, just kind of
050thinking about that as uh from a district lens on how we continue to utilize our facilities that best meet our students needs and our family needs and our educator needs and right sizing as we continue to do that. You know, it's it's been um super sad to see in the paper the the loss of educator jobs across the board. If we just even talk Cleveland, I saw it was 400 plus today. Lraine over 100 and I that is one thing I am so appreciative of my team and the board. We have been doing reduction in force through attrition for five years. And boy am I happy that we've spent that time painful as moving people from building to building every year. 40 moves at times uh teachers out of their classroom to go to a
051different school or a different curriculum, but that was purposeful so we didn't have to do a reduction in force. And so, um, feel super strong about, um, giving praise to really our educators who worked alongside us, our three unions that worked alongside us over the years to do that because we've set ourselves up into a a spot that we can ensure viability for our educators and our staff. >> Thank you. >> I know that um, previously Taft had space that was used by some of the universities that we partnered with. Sorry, my um and I know that that partnership is it doesn't quite work that way anymore. So, will that space with the curriculum materials, will that sort of balance out what that used to be with the preschool moving to Lincoln? >> I appreciate
052you bringing that up because I did forget one thing I wrote here. So, we have a dance studio at TF now. So every evening we have a lot of little dancers and so that studio would change from classroom to classroom over the years depended on what space at the high school was needed. I believe it's been other places. It has a home now intact. >> And so we also utilize our spaces um especially in that area where Akran was. We utilize those spaces for our recreation programs. Um obviously not your sporting programs, your education programs. In addition, we brought two um individuals that had offices throughout the district to use the offices uh where Akran had their offices, which opened office space at two other buildings uh for individuals that needed those spaces for being
053there. So again, just trying to continue to, you know, work or facilitate a structure that is smooth and and works for today's education and our buildings and our educators today and our and our administrative staff, too. >> So, we'll continue to look at that. >> Thank you. >> I believe that concludes that concludes the superintendent. >> Thank you. And so at this time I would say those of you who have been great having you here but if you have things or preparations to do for tomorrow pre please feel free to leave. We always love to have you if you want to stay. So take advantage of this guys. I see you sister. >> Thank you all. A >> lot of good news today. >> And we move on to the legislative report. >> Yes. Thank
054you. Which um is not nearly as fun as what we've been doing so far. Um, oh my gosh, this microphone tonight. So, uh, the Ohio General Assembly has been in recess since the third week in March, and except for a brief, uh, sojourn back in April, will not return until May 11th after the May 5th primary for those of you who are keeping track. Um, there is one bill, uh, House Bill 715 that I wanted to touch on. It was introduced by Republican Representative Gail Manning of North Ridgeville. She introduced this bill to provide parents and the public with more information about the performance of private schools that accept taxpayer funded vouchers. House Bill 715 would require the H Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to gather the information requested in this bill. Unlike a
055prior version of the bill, this one does not require scholarship students to take the same standardized tests that public school students take. Instead, private schools can opt out of taking Ohio's state tests and choose one of three dozen alternatives because the last time this bill was proposed, private schools were adamant that they needed the alternatives. Um, under House Bill 715, the information the Department of Education workforce would have to annually post online for each school receiving vouchers includes enrollment data such as the number of scholarship students enrolled in the school, which of Ohio's five scholarship programs they're participating in, the amount of state support the school received, and if receiving Ed Choice or Ed Choice expansion vouchers, what kind of school the student attended the prior school year, just to sort of see if that
056is helping them switch schools or if they were just staying in the same school. Um they'd also have to collect information regarding the number of students in each voucher program broken down by family income levels. Um and currently a choice expansion provides money to families of all income levels. Um and even you know people at higher income levels can receive a partial scholarship. And lastly, uh it would require an online system that people can use to compare the performance data of scholarship students to performance data of similar students in nearby traditional public and charter schools. So, this is a bill that presumably would be taken up when the legislature returns in May. >> Be interesting to watch. Yeah, it's the second time I think at least the second time that this one has uh been
057brought up and obviously they're trying to tinker with it to see if it'll keep it'll keep moving forward. >> Um but it would be great to have that kind of information available. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> Um and then there's I wanted to touch a little bit on some federal information. Um this is I just want to start by saying that there the conventional wisdom on this is that um it's not likely that these measures are going to take place but it's worth mentioning that they're being proposed. Um well the conventional wisdom is that you just never know. Um, two month just two months after Congress maintained steady year-over-year federal funding for most education programs, uh, the White House is asking lawmakers to once again consider ma major cuts that would take event effect
058for the 27 202728 school year. Uh, for the second year in a row, the executive branch is proposing to zero out longstanding federal education programs. And I'm just going to list out some of what they're talking about. Um, this includes education, educators, professional development, which is currently funded at $2.2 billion a year, services for English language learners at $890 million a year, academic enrichment and student supports at $1.4 4 billion a year. Before and after school programs at $1.3 billion a year, funding for rural schools at $220 million a year, and support for students experiencing homelessness at $129 million a year. The administration is also reviving its uh proposal to consolidate those program programs and 11 other others into a $2 billion educational block grant called make education great again or mega for states to
059spend largely how they please. States would be required however to put a quarter of the funding uh of their allocations toward literacy cons instruction and another quarter toward math. The $2 billion fund would be $4.6 6 billion short of the total value of the programs it proposes to merge. As I said, the conventional wisdom is that because we're dealing with the same Congress, the same majorities that approved the current budget and res rejected similar cuts, these cuts, they people don't think they're going to go through and that we can expect to see a budget similar to what was approved for this school year. However, it's always good to keep in mind that often cuts such as these are proposed as a means of negotiating for other cuts or changes. So stay tuned and I'll continue
060to report. >> Just just to clarify those some of those things like particularly like the professional development and like the support for homeless students and like the English language like we still need the public schools still need to provide those things. So we would have to come right >> to our local >> to fund them essentially because we can't really count on the state either. But those things aren't going away >> right >> it's just the funding for those things. Well, and you know there's discussion I think the um one of the things that is being said is you know the federal government is saying rather than providing some programs we're just going to turn it over to the states to provide but the you know it would seem that they aren't turning it over
061at the same level of >> right >> funding. It's also so interesting though when education is like it's an interesting creature because it's one of the few professions that we don't rely on our like professionals and our experts. >> Um like you have to spend a quarter on literacy. Obviously we would but knowing like as teachers and administrators what is best for your students and the federal government the people >> historically have not been educators. >> Yeah. So, it's again, you know, it's it's one of those things where it's um we kind of hope that these cuts don't take place and obviously we would still need to support people who are learning the English language and >> and we still need before and after school programs and we still need um you know, >> Support
062our homeless kids. So, um you know, hopefully we will not have to try to figure out how to fund that ourselves. So anyways, that's the that concludes the legislative report. I don't know if anybody has any comments or questions. >> Thank you very much. We now move on to discussion of the agenda items. Um we will vote on these for the most part at our second regular monthly meeting which is just in a week. Um the first is finance report. Mr. Callahan. >> Thank you. President Shaughnessy. We have um investment purchased and matured through in February 2026. The tables that are included in the agenda materials identify outstanding and matured investments during February. Investment earnings for regular board funds for the month totaled $143,08 bringing year-to- date total to um just over 1.7 million. Financial
063info for February 26. For the month, general fund receipts totaled 5,129,951 and general fund expenditures totaled $6,754,960. For fiscal year 26 summary, initial the initial financial forecast for the fiscal year reflects various changes from fiscal year 25. Revenues year-to- date actual and projected revenues are trending with the financial forecast. With regard to expenditures, year-to- date actual and projected expenditures are trending with the financial forecast within the majority of categories. Overall expenses are less than forecasted. The favorable variance is mostly due to the salaries and benefits categories trending lower than expectations at this point in the year. As the financial forecast is updated and reviewed with the board and administration near the end of the fiscal year, there will most likely be changes or updates to various categories. And with regard to cash reser reserves and
064compliance items, uh cash reserves are sufficient through fiscal year 26. And as is typically stated, a financial summary report provided to show the monthly and fiscal year-to-ate cash positions for the non-general funds maintained by the district. Appropriation modifications ensure the district is in compliance with the state auditor's office and county fiscal office. All accounts have sufficient funds available to cover the increase in the appropriations. The amendment allows the district to legally encumber and pay funds up to the amounts appropriated. Um that concludes my report unless Treasurer Roadie has anything to add or if anyone has any questions. >> I don't have anything to add. Thank you. No questions for me, but everything that I've been hearing over and over because of the levy um from the treasurer has been very helpful to me to constantly
065reassess um our finance report. So, thank you. Been very helpful. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Um okay, we move on to building sites and major purchases. Mrs. Clerk Stutton, >> I have quite a report this month. So, um, hold on a second. I went to the wrong page. Excuse me. Um, several resolutions and requests. The first one is a resolution to approve the agreement regarding the electricity purchase program between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Ohio Schools Council. The Ohio Schools Council is in the process of preparing an RFP for the purchase of electricity for power for schools school districts for the upcoming contract period. To enable the Ohio Schools Council to obtain the best rate and terms possible, Lakewood City School District has been asked to have the board of education
066approve the attached contract um by April 30th, 2026. This contract will enable the Ohio Schools Council to act on behalf of the Lakewood City School District in the same manner as it has done in the recent years for the purchase of natural gas. This contract will also avoid the delays, unnecessary increases, and challenges that occurred last spring when electricity prices began to rise while we were obtaining board of education approvals. Um the history is the consortium um rates are always better than going in alone. resolution to approve the agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and the DWA Recreation for the playground improvements at Hayes Elementary School. As a result of the competit competitive bid process, DWA Recreation met all of the requirements and specifications to provide the materials, labor, and installation as presented in
067the specifications and documents for the playground impre improvements at Hayes Elementary School at a cost of $295,9146. The Lakewood City School District solicited quotes and proposals for the playground at Taft Center at Taft Center for Innovation. Sorry, from the Sele. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Okay. That's what I >> Okay. Hayes Elementary School from the following approved vendors. Um, do you want me to read all of it and their their bids? You can or you can say there were five. >> There were five bids. Um, Bluegrass Recreation, DWA Recreation, Midstates Recreation, Playground Equipment Services, and Snyder Recreation. Um, and they were um, remarkably close um, in their numbers. Um, and DWA has a very good reputation. Um, so um, next um, we request approval for Cleveland Metrop Parks indemnification. The Cleveland Metrop Parks requires permit
068holders to have liability insurance and to name the Cleveland Metrop Park system as an additional insured for bodily injury and property damage. Furthermore, the Cleveland Metro Parks is to be held harmless from the board or their employees for any liability that should occur in connection with the operation of recreational athletic programs on its property. And this is a standard application that we do each year. There are several rental agreements. Uh rental agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Lakewood Community Care Center Youth Summer Program at Lincoln Elementary School. Um this is an annual agreement where um the Lakewood Community Care Center uses ele Lincoln Elementary School for the purpose of operating a summer youth program. They also operate a before and after school program during the school year. Um, there's also a request
069for a rental agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Lakewood Community Care Center School year program at Lincoln Elementary School. Um, the same organization and it would be for the purpose of operating a before and after school program in the next school year. um rental agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Lakewood Family YMCA youth summer program at Grant Elementary. This is a resolution between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Lakewood Family YMCA to use. Is it Grant or Roosevelt? >> Roosevelt. >> Grant. >> Um elementary school for the purpose of operating a youth summer camp. The YMCA operates the before and after school program during the school year and wishes to continue through the summer. Another annual agreement. And another one uh rental agreement between the Lakewood Board of
070Education and the Lakewood family YMCA school year program at Grant Hayes and Roosevelt elementary schools. Uh this is a resolution between the Lakewood Board of Education and the YMCA of Greater Cleveland Lakewood for the use of these three elementary schools for the purpose of operating a before and after school program. They have operated these programs before and for the past several years and this is an annual agreement and a rental agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Cleveland Metrop Parks. This is a resolution between the Lakewood Board of Education and the Cleveland Metrop Parks for the school district's use of Memorial and Tyler athletic fields for the purpose of playing adult and youth sports. Community recreation and education use department has been using the multi-port field multi-purpose sports fields for over 60 years.
071There is an added park ranger fee on Saturday mornings for soccer. And this is another annual agreement. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you very much. Any questions? I think there was a typo in that we caught one earlier and then Yeah. >> So by when we vote on it, it'll be correct. >> Okay. No, no, >> no, thank you. >> Um, okay. We move on to education, Mrs. Kenburger. >> Thank you. Um, first we have waving of tuition for non-resident senior. A Lakewood High School senior has requested that he be allowed to complete his senior year on a non-tuition basis for the 2526 school year. following his family's move out of the Lakewood City School District. Next, we have a memorandum of understanding between the Lakewood Board of Education and Vision toLearn. The
072Lakewood City School District is entering its partnership with Vision toLearn to provide school-based health care. Vision toLearn will provide a mobile vision clinic in the district so families will be able to access vision services within this mobile unit. And then we have uh a couple of gifts to Lakewood schools. Um, first Carol Recker donated a 2009 Ford Focus to West Shore Career Technical School to be used to educate the students in the automotive program and North Coast Rotary donated $250 to Westshore Technical School to support the culinary program. And that concludes the education report. Thank you very much. Any questions for Mrs. Kenberger? Okay, hearing none, we'll move on to policy, which normally we do not have a report, but tonight we do. Um, a number of policies have had to be corrected or revised.
073Uh so we will be um voting on 20 revisions, three new policies, two corrections to policies, and one replacement. And the policy committee um which is Mrs. Stman and I met and reviewed these and the board members have had um policies to review um and have answer any ask any questions that um we thought that they thought needed to be answered and we will be talking about these. There were a couple that I wanted to ask about that were um might be a revision, but one was the need to make our um technology um accessible for everyone. And that that was one that I thought sounds like it's going to be quite a task. >> It is. It it's a heavy lift. And uh I know Christine Gordio has already been working on it and
074and met with our principles and our administrators on even when they're producing documents that are online for their website or pushing out materials to their families via email or even paper. But just the different nuances, especially when it comes to the website and your online materials on colors, fonts, always needing to add a subject line. So if you have a picture, it has to have a subject line. So there's many things that we hadn't thought of that Christine's been sharing with our principles and our staff that do post on the website and push out materials. We were fortunate to find out though that we um due to our enrollment, we have until next summer or uh we have until 2027, April. April of 2027 instead of April of 2026 which we were very nervous about.
075>> Um and and I think that's one of these things that we'll continue to you know ma make these changes now in instead of wait because there is there are so many nuances that um we aren't even thinking of until we come across it and oh we use that color and we wouldn't even have known that we shouldn't be. So >> it's a heavy lift. uh we are going to have a a company we've thought about having a company even just look at our our website and give us provide suggestions to us on how to change um not only the Lakewood City schools but then the recreation website. >> Thank you. Um when you look through these, so many are um driven by action in the legislature and House Bill 96 seems to have been
076particularly um pervasive in going through. Um others have been jobreated expenses, use of district credit card. I know the treasurer reviewed those and um again most are in response to auditor of state or legislative activity. Um we have the next week to go through these ask questions. Is there anything that you want to bring up that um on any of these policies? >> Okay. As you can continue to look over them, please feel free to give a call. I'd be happy to meet with you. Um, you know, to be honest with you, every lens looks at it differently and to have each of you look at it through your lens and your perspective is is very helpful because we do want these board policies to represent our board of education and what they believe in.
077>> And I know that um the administration cabinet has all looked at those and those with the expertise in a particular area has looked at the projected policies and given their input. So now it's just up to us. >> Yeah. When we start a policy review, by the time you've received it, we've spent a couple months with them. Um and it it we sit at a table with a Neola advisor and he runs through all the changes um mainly because of legislation and in any of the updates that are there then that does get sifted off to each department that it belongs in. They review it. They provide the suggestions and then we meet with the policy uh board members and then it goes to all five board members. >> Yeah, it was interesting. There's
078quite a breadth of subject matter in this one. You know, everything from AI to school safety to some >> the credit cards >> credit card use. So, >> um yeah, it was it's I appreciate all the hard work that went into it. It was definitely a >> and thank you policy committee as well. So, >> and administrators, >> I can be a real policy nerd and I um I fell asleep a couple of times. >> There's a lot of pages. Um but um yeah, in a wide range. So, >> yeah, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um that concludes policy unless this is that many of >> I don't have anything. >> Okay. I didn't want to >> And you do have human resources. >> I do have human resources. Okay. So start with we
079have 11 total actions for certified employees, unpaid leave absences, appointments and special compensation. 11 total actions for classified employees uh set appointments, special compensation, salary and pay rate adjustments and then 126 total actions for community recreation education. So aquatics, you know, that's coming up, athletics, event staff, field maintenance and programs. And then there's a resolution to approve the service agreement between the Lakewood Board of Education and Breitb. Uh Breitb provides a district with additional option to secure qualified substitute classified staff on an as needed basis to ongoing staffing shortages. Um this service allows us to quickly fill critical support roles while ensuring all individuals meet required background checks and credentials. It will help maintain continuity of operations and support students needs when regular staff are unavailable. And just to clarify, classified staff. So like our
080um parapros, lunch monitors, those things, school nurses, secretaries, >> and that concludes my report. >> Thank you very much. We now come to the communications portion of our board meeting. Um first of all, are there any comments? >> You Mr. Callahan? >> Um perhaps I'll take the opportunity just to acknowledge our our spring sports, our spring uh athletes are are doing well representing us. Obviously, we heard the winter recap and those state qualifiers tonight. Again, congratulations to them and to all their coaches. Um but uh yeah, baseball's doing really well. And just a note, right, because of uh our um the surface of our of our field, right, we're able to host more games and have fewer rain outs. And I can say over well, over spring break, our varsity baseball team uh was traveling,
081right? But JV and freshman were here and a lot of their away games became home games because, you know, that's where we can get them in. And so that's, you know, a credit to the facility uh and and and a wonderful thing. So, uh they're all doing well and uh we wish them well. So, >> good. Thank you. >> I just have to give a shout out to the uh uh music department, Lakewood Barntorm for a very successful spring musical. I hope you know some of you got out to see it. It was quite spectacular. Um, and to remind folks, it was written by a Lakewood High School grad. And uh um not only was it uh were wonderful actors on stage, but the orchestra instead of being in the pit were on stage and
082many of the kids playing instruments were part of the action uh of the play. It was just a really different and cool production. And the parents of the Lakewood High School grad who wrote it were attended two of the performances and just raved about they said we didn't think a high school could pull this production off and they knocked it out of the park. So it was um really wonderful and um you know we have a handful of seniors who are quite prolific in our uh performing arts who uh this was their last show and they've been at all of the performances their whole time here. And so it was a really big deal. So um I just wanted to congratulate them on their spectacular performances and it was just it was a delight. So
083just as we congratulate our athletes for their excellence, I wanted to congratulate our our artists for their excellence as well. >> We're in this season of congratulating because we'll move on to the celebration of excellence and career awards. >> May 19th. >> Um yes. Yeah, for sure. And of course, it's we're just about ready to kick off concert season, so you know, >> get used to seeing the inside of the Civic a lot. >> Um, yeah. I I just want to say my So, my oldest are they're moving closer and closer to high school and the more board meetings we have and especially at the high school. I'm excited for the things that they are able to do there. Um, and even tonight, you hear, you know, kids in different programs, ashore, and the trades
084and and the CCB classes and everything that they're able to do. But I really want to commend the staff. Um because a lot of what they do, they really do like let the kids get excited when they're young. You know, my seventh grader was able to perform with the Lakewood Project this winter. Um >> she's also I think Arfield just had their play, but she's doing Harding's play at the end of the month and they had like the Barntormer's play was on their schedule, so they really do encourage the kids to get involved. >> Um the varsity coaches are constantly at practices and at triyouts and trainings and and they get the kids involved. Um Mr. Sloan has the student athlete leadership team that reads to the third graders and gets in the classroom. I
085think Hayes a group of our kids was able to go and like do things with the students in the culinary program recently. And it's really just great that staff the way that they interact and the way that they communicate and they're able to show our kids like what to get excited for because some kids really need I don't want to say to suffer through but not every grade is for every kid and it's hard and sometimes when you know what's coming it just it makes it that much better. And also, I'm excited for my pocketbook if I don't have to pay for college. >> Well, I know the high school kids, >> not to be underestimated, for sure. I know the high school kids help the fifth graders pick out instruments and >> Oh, yeah.
086Music. Yeah. Music. >> The high school kids really enjoy the fifth grade. It's much easier than a parent trying to >> remember being on both sides of that. >> And the purple and gold the purple and gold classic, formerly known as Dare Basketball, is coming up this weekend. It's always a fun time. my adrenaline gets going and maybe have some too many cold brews and all the excitement and I get real like jittery. >> It's it's fun time. >> You have infectious enthusiasm. >> Thank you. I think >> Okay. And then we move on to the public section and we have um one person who has signed up to speak to the board and we're delighted about that. Just a reminder that um state your name and city and um that you will have three
087minutes to address the board and I think we can generally say that good behavior is generally received and expected. So um Jess needed heart Hello. Hello. >> I think this is working. >> Yes. >> Okay. Hello. Thank you for having me. My name is Jess Nidheart. I uh am a Lakewood resident. I live on Glenberry Avenue. Um and I'm here as a representation of past me, current me, and future me. um as a Lakewood resident uh and to speak about what it looks like to invest in past me, future me, and current me. Um, so back in 2018, uh, when my partner and I were deciding to buy a house, we were obsessed with finding a community that would provide for our future kids an excellent academic foundation, uh, access to a pathway opening opportunities
088and a community that would pour into them no matter who they were or who they would become. I have been like sitting over here for the past hour like holding back tears from just the consistent representation of all of the things that I would want to be true for my current children. One of which is in the Lakewood school system and two of which will be soon. Um my partner and I are educators ourselves and and have been for many years. And um we work in education and we spent a lot of time when trying to decide where we were going to put roots. Um, and you know, h them having grown up in in the northeast Ohio area, me not, uh, Lakewood's reputation had always preceded itself. And so we rented right away, as
089soon as we could. Um, and our experience as community members, the more and more that we got embedded, the clearer and clearer it was that this is the place that we needed to be. Um, 3 days after we closed on that house on Glenbury Avenue, I found out that I was having my first born. Uh, and I have spent the past seven years filled with pride and uh, our experience in the school system has only strengthened that. Uh, my son Jude is thriving in ways and I really appreciated the comment about not every year is for every child. Um, and I have learned that very much. Um, but every place I have found in Lakewood has been for my ever evolving children and my family. Um, I know my experience is not unique. Uh, my
090greatest hope is that I'll be able to be a part of a community that consistently contributes to the legacy that it wants to provide for its future selves and its future children. Um, I want for my kids kids to be able to say all of the things that they are able to do that their parents did that we consistently invested in. Um, so stable sources of incomes like the levy are increasingly more important uh as we look at an potentially un uncertain future and changing contexts uh about where we get our money to support the programs, the materials and the ever evolving technological technological needs that our kids have. Uh, so I just wanted to come here and share a little bit about my story, myself, my kids, my incredible kids. Um, and share that
091I hope that you all will join me in in voting yes on issue two on May 5th. Thank you. >> No. Thank you. I think I'll just leave it on and then if I'm caught unaware, it'll be a great story. Um, we now have um a number of other board business items that Mrs. Dman is going to reveal. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. It's I so um we have 10 total certified actions including one administrator contract uh seven resignations for purpose of retirement and two resignations and I request approval on one reading. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded that we um vote on the 10 certified personnel actions. Um, this would require roll call since it's have one reading. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy, >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman, >> hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton,
092>> I. >> Mr. Callahan, >> I. >> Miss Katenberger, >> I. >> Thank you very much. Motion carries. >> Thank you. All right. And then I have um eight total actions for classified personnel. One resignation for the purpose of retirement and seven resignations. And I request approval on one reading. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. Um, is there any questions? Are there any questions? Is there any comment? >> Um, hearing none. Would roll call, please. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman. >> I. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Katsenberger. >> I thank you very much. >> And then I have one action for classified non-emp employee personnel uh which includes one resignation and I request approval on one reading. Second. >> It's been moved and
093seconded. U may we have a roll call. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman. Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss Katsenberger. >> Hi. >> Thank you. And I would like to just say for anyone um watching that when we have retirements, resignations, it's important to get right out there looking to fill those positions. So that's why we act like this. So, >> um I would like to thank the board for a few of these um in the sense of that it is timely that we will post tomorrow for some of these positions that are um of >> of importance and so um I appreciate the one read and I and I will when we don't need to do that I will certainly try not to have
094it and I'll put it on a two reading. >> Thank you. >> All right. And then we have a memorandum of understanding between the Lakewood City School District Board of Education and the Lakewood uh teachers association. And I request approval on one reading. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded that we um pass the memorandum of understanding between Lakewood City School District Board of Education and Lakewood Teachers Association which has uh been negotiated. And um we would need a roll call. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> I Mrs. Dottman. Hi, >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> I >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi, >> Miss Katsenberger. >> Hi. All >> right. And then I have a resolution to approve the employment of the assistant superintendent and I request approval on one reading. >> Second. >> And do we
095want to say anything about that? >> We do. So along with this um our resignation for the purpose of retirement of Dr. Palumbo which her like really hits hard uh for all of us and has been such a great colleague and we will celebrate her um in months to come. But in turn we um this was a position I did not even need to post for. Uh we have a candidate in Mr. O that is an amazing educator and has really proven himself with the understanding of the different offices of central office and so super excited to have Mr. O join me. um can't wait to have a partner again but um looking forward to working alongside Mr. for us and you know something that he brings to the table and and when a colleague
096brings someone a new colleague comes to the table I often want to hear what their new ideas and suggestions and innovations are and so we have started to talk about that and I he is going to do an incredible job as an assistant superintendent of Lakewood City Schools >> and anyone can catch him tomorrow at Lakewood Library right for the League of Women Voters at seven >> right >> seven >> oh yes with treasure That's right. >> So, and the county >> treasurer is it >> u Mr. Brad Cros >> Yes, >> we'll be there as well to talk about the ever confusing school financing world we in which we live. >> Well, congratulations. Did you want to say something? >> Did we approve them yet? >> Did we vote? >> We didn't vote yet.
097Then >> you can not approve. >> You can walk up while we're >> you can walk up. >> Do we need walk up music? >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Do. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. Hi. >> Miss Kenberger. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Now you may speak. >> Um, good evening. Uh, first and foremost, uh, thank you so much. Uh I I have to tell you uh when I joined the Lakewood team, I was aware of the great reputation and the wonderful community. Um but until you have the opportunity to work with the the members of the team, you really don't have that full picture and uh these past five years have been wonderful. Um I'm so full of gratitude um first and foremost
098for the opportunity. I'm excited about the learning, the challenges, uh the collaboration um with members of the cabinet team, the teaching team, uh the staff that that that'll happen in the upcoming years. Um so I'm I'm just extremely grateful. Uh our cabinet team has been wonderful to work with. I I'm blessed every day to get to work with them and collaborate with them. Uh my teaching and learning team, uh Sharon, Kristen, Carissa, Merritt, Casey, they're they're wonderful. Um, our teachers are amazing, our staff. Uh, it's really rare in a in today's day and age where there's, you know, you you you open up a newspaper, you look online and there's concerns about public education to find a board of education, a community, um, that are so supportive of our schools. Um, so I really feel
099blessed. Um, and then from a personal note, um, and they might be watching, um, I I I have an amazing wife. Um she's just a great role model as a human being as well as an educator. Um and then our three fantastic children that are a reminder of why we why we do this on a daily basis. So thank you so much for this opportunity. Um and I don't just view it as an opportunity. I view it as a an important responsibility. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for accepting it. >> All right. And then finally, I have a resolution to approve the employment of the director of operations and I request approval on one reading. >> Second. >> The resolution to approve the employment of the director of operations is moved and
100seconded. >> Mrs. Shaughnessy. I >> Mrs. Dman. Hi. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. Hi, >> Mr. Callahan. Hi, >> Miss Katsenberger. >> Hi. >> Thank you. And that concludes other board business. >> Thank you. And um D, congratulations. Did you want to say anything? >> I won't pass up this opportunity following Mr. O. But uh no, I appreciate the the consideration. and I look forward to uh small tasks, big tasks. Uh we've got some big tasks ahead of us. Uh and uh currently planning on uh some big tasks this summer. Some of which most of which you're aware of. Uh smaller ones you may not be aware of, but uh you'll see little uh little improvements uh throughout all of our properties. So any questions while I'm here? Could you just name a couple of the
101big tests so anybody watching can know what's coming up? >> Sure. We've got uh renovations at the Hayes uh playground. >> Uh we got renovations uh actually replacement components at Horus Man. Uh we've got some uh parking uh lot improvements. Um and a whole host of other facility uh projects. We've got uh some pool systems that we're improving and uh looking into uh to uh make them better. Uh we're looking at building automation uh of some of our pool systems so that uh the building operations administrators are aware of uh things uh throughout. Um boy, plumbing, electrical. Uh we've got um preparing for uh next summer uh for some uh improvements. Uh I'm not going to share them and and ruin the fun. Uh but we're currently uh planning on some large projects next summer
102as well. >> Okay. So, >> well, I know you're always busy, but it gets lost kind of in the talking about all the other programs that we have, so I didn't want to. >> Yes. Well, name a uh mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and I could throw something out at you as to what we're doing to improve. >> And the last of the modular units are gone. >> And the last of the modular units. And uh so that's another summer project. Now, with those units gone, uh we have an engineering company uh that was here today did a walk through. Uh they had a previous design. Uh they're tweaking it with what they found today. U with some of the skeletons that were left and uh we'll renovate that parking lot and improve the uh parking and
103increase the parking spaces at Taft. >> Good. >> Thanks for asking. >> That looks great. even not fixed up yet with those gone. >> It's been entertaining. >> Yeah, it's a kind word. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Um, so unless there's something else, is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. And we are adjourned. Thank you all very much.