001Everybody ready? >> Yeah. >> Good evening. Welcome to the Lakewood Board of Education organizational meeting. Tonight is January 5th, 2026. Um I am calling the meeting to order. Um and I will request that everybody join me in the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, >> indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh, Mr. Zean, can you call him? Oh, >> you want to come up here to do it? >> Oh, do we call the roll of floor first? >> Nope. >> Oh, okay. So, um, we come. Okay. We do the oath of office first. >> Okay. Do we do it together? >> Yep. >> Let's do >> I think that's good. I
002Betsy By Norenbergerly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and that I will perform faithfully to the best of my ability and the duties of member of the board of education of the city school district the city of Lakewood County state now Okay, Mr. Zan, can you call the role? Uh, >> Mr. Catsburgger >> here. >> Mr. Shaughnessy >> here. >> Miss Clark Sutton. >> I here. >> Mr. Callahan >> here. >> Miss Do >> here. >> Thank you. >> Do we have a nomination for president of the board? >> I nominate Mrs. Shamiy um for president of the board. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. Are there any further nominations? >> Request to close nominations. >> Okay, it's been nominated and
003closed. Um, Mr. Zean, can you call the roll call vote? >> Mrs. Kenberger, >> I. >> Miss Shaughnessy, >> I. >> Miss Clark Sutton, >> I. >> Mr. Khan, >> hi. >> Miss Do I? >> Thank you. I, Betsy Bergman Shaughnessy, do hereby solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution states constitution of the state of Ohio and that I will perform faithfully to the best of my ability as a president of the city school City of Lakewood State. Thank you. We jump here. Is this where we >> Okay. Um, I would call for the nomination and election of vice president. >> I would like to nominate um Lisa Dutman for vice president of school board. >> Second. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't. >> Is there any are there any additional nominations? >> Request
004to close. >> Thank you. Um, may we have a roll call vote, please? >> Mrs. Kassenberger. >> Hi. Miss Shaughnessy. >> Hi, >> Miss Clark Sutton. >> Hi, >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Dman. >> Hi. >> Thank you. my declare that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and that I will perform faithfully to the best of my ability the duties of vice president of the board of education of the city school district of the city of Lakewood County and state. Thank you. Next item is appointment of report chairpersons and co-chairpersons. Um I have um asked and all have agreed to these. Finance chairperson will be Mr. Callahan, co-er co-chair Mrs. Katsenberger. Building sites and major purchases chairperson Mrs. Clark Sutton co-chairperson Mrs.
005Dottman. Education will be chaired by Mrs. Katsenberger and co-chared by Mrs. Clerk Sutton. Human resources and community services will be chaired by Mrs. Dottman and co-chared by Mr. Callahan. And policy will be co-chared by will be chaired by me and co-chared by Mrs. Dottman. Okay. Next item is the fixing the time and place of regular meetings. Um and as everyone knows I think that we will be moving to we will meet on the continue to meet on the first and third Mondays um barring a holiday but we'll change in August to the second and fourth um Mondays of the month. And I would move adoption of this resolution setting the dates. Second. >> We need a roll call for this. >> Mr. Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mrs. Dotman. >> I. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton. >>
006I. >> Mr. Gallant. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cassburg. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Our next item is for nomination and election of the OSBA legislative liaison representative. Um, Miss Clark Sutton. I believe it's >> I'd like to nominate Miss Katsenberger to be the point person for OSBA legislative liaison. >> I second. Um if no further nominations, I request to close nominations. >> Okay, they're closed. May we have a roll call. >> Miss Shaughnessy, >> I. >> Mrs. Dottman, >> I. >> Miss Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gallahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gatsler. >> Hi. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Uh our next um item is a call for nomination and election of OSBA student achievement liaison representative. >> Mr. Kelly, >> I nominate Mrs. Clark Sutton uh to the um
007OSBA student achievement liaison. >> I second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Um may we have a roll call, please? >> Miss Shaughnessy. >> Hi. >> Miss Dottman. >> Hi. >> Miss Clark Sutton. Hi, >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Kathy. >> Hi. >> Thank you very much. Our next item is a resolution to provide for the expeditious transaction of the business of the board of education of the Lakewood City School District during 2026. And um I don't see anyone here that does wouldn't know this, but I'm just going to say a few of them if anyone's watching. Um this resolution rather than having individual resolution includes kind of standard routine items um such as that Lakewood City Schools uh will conduct athletic programs in accordance with the bylaws and regulations of the Ohio
008High School Athletic Association, the setting of bonds, the membership in the Ohio School Boards Association, um affirmation of the adoption of a comprehive comprehensive policy manual. Um that the treasurer is designated for public records training. Um acknowledging all the entities uh boosters, LREF, PTA um that serve um students and staff and then the amazing number of clubs that there are 55 at the high school just it's amazing. um at the middle schools and at all the elementary schools. And so we recognize and applaud them. And then um we retain private law firms and law firms and attorneys for the provision of legal services as we need them and uh we don't pay them unless we use them. But there are seven that we are going to be using potentially during the year. Um, is there
009a second for this resolution? >> I second. >> Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. I believe we need a roll call. >> Miss Shaughnessy. >> I. >> Mr. Dman. >> Hi. >> Miss Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mr. Casper. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> And we now come to a time for comments. And um first we will hear from Mrs. Katzenberger is outgoing board president. Um before we do there might be some people. Should we invite people? Are there people waiting? Invite them in. >> Oh yeah, they could always have been in. >> They can come in if they want. >> Okay. They're not required to. Okay. Um thank you so much. Uh, I'd like to thank the Lakewood community for the privilege of serving as the president
010of the board of education this past year. 2025 was a year of tremendous focus on public education at the local, state, and national level. We, as a board, have done all we can to manage the impact of actions that seek to control our local approach to education, and we will continue to do so. We want to protect what we have here in Lakewood. We have excellent schools supported by a tight-knit community. We have engaged students who strive for success. We have educators who constantly innovate to help students achieve. We have parents whose participation helps shape the future of our schools. Over the past year, we as a board, administration, and community, came together to plan the future of our district, beginning with our elementary buildings. This conversation, while difficult at times, helped lead the district
011forward, culminating with Superintendent Nidwicki's recommendation and the board's vote in October to reduce the number of our elementary buildings to six and establish an early childhood center for the district, among other changes. In 2026, we can look forward to productive transition plans for our schools that will create new opportunities while providing the best, most equitable educational experience for each and every student. Serving as president of the board had many high points throughout the year. I had the pleasure of handing out diplomas to Lakewood High School's class of 2025, including my eldest daughter. I joined administrators and my fellow board members for the ribbon cutting of new facilities at Lakewood High School. I sat in Playhouse Squaresp Theater as Lakewood's barntormers won best musical. I had the honor of handing out numerous resilient ranger awards to
012deserving students as well as a number of distinguished educator awards to teachers who go above and beyond the call every day for our students. I attend in countless concerts, football games, parades, art shows, a math symposium, a music marathon, plays, house sorting ceremonies, a visit from the governor, academic and sports awards ceremonies, and so much more. Throughout this year as president and in my first four years on the board, I've been constantly amazed by the excellence and enthusiasm demonstrated by the students, educators, administrators, and families in our district. I'm especially grateful to Superintendent Nidwicki during this challenging year. Her steady leadership, constant professionalism, and sense of humor have made working closely with her a true pleasure. No one cares more about Lakewood students and their education than Superintendent Nuzwicki. Lakewood is so fortunate to have
013her at the helm during such a challenging time in public education and we look forward to her leadership during the upcoming transition planning and other important important initiatives in 2026. I must also thank her administrative team who have set a high bar bar of excellence keeping our educators in our district as a whole at the forefront of educational policy and performance. I'm also glad to have been able to work with Treasurer Seaman this past year. His matchless grasp of the often baffling world of school finance and funding and his tireless advocacy at the state house for Lakewood and public education in general has made him one of the most treasured people, excuse the pun, in our district. As most of you know, Kent is retiring in 2026, and we will miss him terribly. We hired
014a great new treasurer, Megan Roodie, who starts later this month. Treasurer Zean will stay on an advisory capacity for a short time to ensure a smooth transition, especially in light of the fact that we will have a levy on the ballot in 2026. We will always be grateful to Treasure Zean for his dedication and professionalism. I feel so lucky to serve with my fellow board members. I'm especially grateful to Betsy Shaughnessy for her wise counsel gained through her years of experience. Our district will be in good hands in the upcoming year with Betsy as president once again and Lisa Doppen as vice president. Lastly, I'm eternally grateful to my family and friends for their support during this busy and challenging year. Their encouragement gives me the positive outlook and sense of humor necessary for this
015important work. And I'll close with the words I have said so many times this year. Thank you. Now, it's time for the incoming president's comments. and you won't be surprised that I touch on many of the things that my friend Nora has has spoken to. So, I will start with heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Lakewood for giving me the opportunity to continue to serve the students, parents, and staff of the Lakewood City Schools. This is a community that has and continues to support our schools, recognizing the critical role of public education in a democracy and the need for vigorous academic programs. reflecting the values of Lakewood. I promise to work on behalf of all our citizens by doing my best to protect the district which serves as an anchor in our community. Thank you
016to Mrs. Katzenberger who worked tirelessly and I don't use that word lightly to communicate with the greater community and to keep the board moving forward in dealing with the hundreds of important issues that impact our students throughout the year. Thank you to Superintendent Swiki for her vision and perseverance as well as the excellent leadership team that she has assembled. They have maintained a consistent focus on the current and future needs of the district as we work not just to maintain what we have but to improve it. The needs of each individual child are always at the forefront of decisions designed to make every child's daily experience safer and happier. Thank you to Treasurer Zean. He is truly an educator who has worked to manage district resources in order to provide the programs and opportunities that
017our students and teachers deserve and require. We have much to accomplish in the new year. I've said before that we can't wait for the environment to change. We need to act. And in this spirit, we'll work towards the following. This is just a sampling in the following year. In this coming year, superintendent will be leading and supporting elementary transition teams, developing a comprehensive plan with updates and with opportunities for comment by the board and community. Enhanced and timely communication within the district and with the community will be a priority. Ongoing policy review and policy development, assuring alignment of legal requirements, district values, and the needs of students and staff will continue. A focus on student achievement and growth is imperative. Advocacy for adequate supported public schools and action to resist efforts to reduce local control
018will be ongoing and we will do have an ongoing and close monitoring of our financial position and resource utilization. None of these are new, but they reflect the broad and critical expectations facing the superintendent, administrators, and staff. The demands on their time need to be recognized and supported. Not a day goes by that there are not serious issues impacting a student or staff member that require immediate action and must take precedence over the schedule. We need to appreciate this and do what we can to support those doing the hard work. We have come through contentious times in the past and I believe that all of us share the hope that our students, our children have a bright future filled with promise and that we can work together to make this a reality. We can be
019certain that new challenges and expectations will arise and we need to be ready to respond in ways that are best for all students. We can prepare our students for a world of opportunity and for an unimagined world that lies ahead. I know that this board is ready to focus on the future. Each member of the board brings unique skills, experience, and perspectives. If we work together, we will work together and explore all aspects and implications of actions being considered. We may not always agree. However, mutual respect has been a hallmark of Lakewood Boards of Education and it has served us well. We will always listen to each other and to the community. We might might not always agree, but we will always listen. Together we parents, teachers, students, board members, Lakewood citizens have strengths that
020can be called upon to move forward with positivity, creativity, resilience, and innovation. I'll end up thanking you with thanking all of you who keep our buildings running and our students learning. Thank you to central office staff and teachers and administrators who work every day to sustain and support our children and each other. I know this will be a great year and I believe that that brings us to the time for adjournment of the organizational meeting and then >> you need a second. >> Second. I second. >> Do we need a vote? >> All in favor? I >> I >> opposed. >> Thank you. Take a brief break before we start the business. I would have been much quicker with my second. >> I know it.