001[Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] Everything you love. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Good evening. Today is Monday, September 15th, and welcome to the Lakewood Board of Education meeting. Uh previously the board met recessed for executive session for the consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of an employee or official or the investigation of charges or complaints against an employee, official, lency or student unless the employee, official, lency, or student requests a public hearing and for conference with the board's attorney to discuss matters that are subject of pending or imminent court action. Now we are returning to public session and I would invite you to join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
002indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Next, we'll move on to the adoption of the agenda. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zena, can you call the role? >> Mrs. Cassenberger, >> I. >> Miss Shaughnessy, >> I. >> Mrs. Clark Sutton, >> I. >> Mr. Callahan, >> I. >> Mrs. Do I. >> Thank you. Um, next, uh, we move on to the approval of the minutes. Do I have motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> This is I. >> I. Sorry, this is for all four minutes. Um, and that brings us to the superintendent's report. >> Good evening again, President Kenberger, Vice President Johny, distinguished board members, and Mr. Zemen. So tonight I would like to share the following and our agenda is
003up on the screen. Uh celebration I want to remember our why elementary facility recommendation timeline responsibility and purpose data to be used for recommendation and community opportunity. So earlier this week, we had the privilege of celebrating a milestone for our district with the grand opening of the new Westshore Career Tech Welding and Men's Lab and the new home for Franklin School of Opportunity at Lakewood High School. The ribbon cutings and tours brought together students, families, staff, and community members to see firsthand the incredible opportunities these new spaces provide. As I walked through the labs and classrooms, I couldn't help but think about the bright futures being built within those walls. These spaces are more than brick and mortar. They represent our commitment to preparing every student for success, whether through career pathways, hands-on experiences, or
004personal learning. This celebration reminds me of our why. And people sometimes ask what drives our work. It's the vision of the Lakewood Ranger. So I kind of want to go back in time for a minute. Starting back in 2019 and 2020, Dr. Barnes and I met with the Board of Education, PTA Council, Chamber of Commerce, teachers, administrative teams, classified staff, and we walked them through an activity and dreaming session. and we asked what are the skills, abilities, and habits of mind that our students need in order to be productive citizens when they graduate. Out of these conversations, our vision of the Lakewood graduate was formed. Since then, we have created the vision of the Lakewood educator and ultimately, as you see on the screen, the vision evolved into the vision of the Lakewood Ranger. We
005decided that it doesn't matter if you are a student or an adult within our system. We should all have parameters for thinking critically, commun communicating clearly, collaborating for the best interest of all, have empathy for others, build upon our knowledge as global citizens, and develop our ability to have a growth mindset. So with that in mind here, as I shared at the last board meeting, the following timeline I will be following for the next couple of months. The following couple of slides remind us how we started. So throughout last year in our many conversations and presentations and on our website, we stated in Lakewood City Schools, we are fortunate to have a long history of support and partnership with our families and community in supporting our mission of developing responsible citizens who are critical and
006creative thinkers committed to lifelong learning, invest invested in a diverse society, and prepared for technological and global opportunities. ities. The community support has included the building of excellent educational athletic facilities for our students and community members growth and development. But also as educational leaders, we have a responsibility too, care for, protect and maintain our facilities and buildings. We have a responsibility to periodically review the use of our facilities and the role each facility plays in helping us achieve our mission. in ways that are financially responsible, sustainable, and provide the greatest opportunities for our students for growth. We have been and are and continue to be open and honest about wanting to discuss opportunities we have we were considering to help mitigate our challenges. We have shared these experiences and thoughts during many community conversations. We
007talked about increasing learning opportunities for preschool in equity and class size at the elementary level efficient use. We want efficient use of district financial resources. We also thought about could we lessen teacher movement and teacher isolation and is there ability for excess capacity um or do we have excess capacity as a result of a decline in enrollment. So after re-evaluating the course of this past year, I wanted to share this statement I created. I know that at times presenting data can create unnecessary confusion or uncertainty within a community. While differing viewpoints are natural, we must engage with the full context. I believe clarity is a form of kindness and I continue to be committed to transparency that informs rather than unsettles. The data that I will that will help inform my recommendation coming to the
008board soon will be the following. enrollment trend data, current enrollment, and live birth rates, building capacity data, available classroom, classrooms. Oops, I think I have classrooms up there twice. Nope. Classrooms based on current enrollment. I will consider today's and future needs and consistency for a bu for all buildings to have similar opportunities and space. opportunities to realign specialized classrooms, safety and security. I will re review walking distance. I will review need for all students to be housed in the safest environment and playgrounds. Population, I will look at growth decline estimate data. Preschool I will look at current availability of before and after care number of students and need. I will also look at efficient use of our financial and human resources. This pertains to teacher movement and teacher isolation and grade level consolidation. In closing,
009I wanted to share the tabletop conversation event. As you can see, the event will be held on September 29th at Lakewood High School. Any community member is welcome. The district is requesting that those who plan to participate RSVP via a link that will be sent out tomorrow and through all of our channels. Uh read okay sorry. So I wanted to share the why of this opportunity to obtain feedback in a structural manner. Feedback on this evening will be cultivated and received. Those participating will have the opportunity to provide individual written and group feedback. Participants will collaborate in groups and a group facilitator will share out the table's salient point. So as I stated earlier though clarity is kind. The community conversation will be focused on four to five topics. We have a specific agenda to
010get through those. So, we will not be we will not be opening the floor for public comment. This is not a board meeting and the board members will not attend. As a reminder, the board of education holds, as you all know, two meetings a month and has been accepting public comment on this matter for an entire year. In addition, the treasurer and I held seven events, one at each elementary, and we opened the floor for public comment at each. This and also not to me or or to also mention, we had numerous individuals in uh group conversations with community members along with responding to numerous emails and phone calls. Any questions? >> What time? It will be 6:30 to 8 o'clock. >> So, um, with the tabletop conversations, I know you said that they'll be
011facilitated, >> correct? >> Um, and that will, um, part of that, would that be group discussion and then part of it will involve some individual responses to some questions? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So how the event is structured as individuals come in their table tents will be at a table they will sit at their spot where their name is and that's why we need that information ahead of time >> uh to ensure that we have an the participation necessary. Um in addition to that I'm not sure if I mentioned now but there will be an opportunity for daycare. So a part of that RSVP is sharing with us if you need daycare. We will open the evening with a welcome and a slight um welcome from a community facilitator and then we have the activity
012facilitator. Individuals will fill out the four to five questions individually on a sheet of paper with their own thoughts and ideas. Those will be collected afterwards. So we have that and we can put that information together all in one document. In addition to we will then go back to the first question allowed tables to speak together about those and on chart paper write down their the points that came up at their table. There will be a share out. The share out will be facilitated. We have um administrators that will be facilitating and charting at their table. So the people at the table can just work on you know having their full mind onto the question and what their thoughts might be and that will be shared out as we move on. Thank you. >> Are
013those results going to be made um public? >> Yes, our facilitator will pull all that information together into a document to be shared. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. We now move on to uh our communications portion of the evening. Uh we'll start with board of education comments. Would anybody like to go first? >> Um I just would like to um jump on. We saw I'm sorry again. >> Oh my god. um the FSO, the welding building and the MEMS. That was a really good opportunity that anyone kind of could have come. But it's it's really nice to know there were a lot of people in our administration that wrote grants and got money for that and a lot of worked with a lot of people in the community continue to
014build those relationships. Um these are going to be things that these kids can use like in the real world. Um again as feel like it's necessary to say as publica ed education continues to be attacked it's really important that we are focusing what is going to make our kids the most successful and we started in the elementary schools um with our STEM classes and goes all the way up through everything that is available to them um and continues to be available to them in high school which I think will really benefit them. So um thank you to everybody that was involved in that. If I can just um piggy back with a special shout out to um Christine Gordio who pulled off three ribbon cutings in one hour. Um that is that is impressive. Um
015so thank you very much Christine. if if I could add to it perhaps. Um I just appreciate the former West Career Tech coordinator uh in attendance, someone who's um Bill Damasio was in in very much involved in writing uh the the the grant that we were so successful um that led to to that to that project. So it was wonderful to have him come back um as he was had such a role in it. and then also the superintendent um from the Westshore uh communities their attendance um and as well as board members from those communities too. I think we had a a few as well. So, it was a wonderful >> uh celebration of of all of the the collective efforts um and look forward to those new programs um serving of course our
016Lakewood kids as well as the other communities that make up uh the West Shore. And just to say um there have been numerous examples of Mrs. Nitsuki, Superintendent Nidwicki and um our administrators and being ready to get grants when they become available. So, the our safety and security million-doll grant that uh Governor DeWine came up to present was a case where because there was an ongoing group assessing security for our schools and our students, they were ready and we were one of the first schools to get it. the $5.7 million we got for welding and um the MEMS program was that grant could be applied had to be applied for in a very short period of time and it's because the depart the uh career tech and our administrators were working on what we needed
017to have saw the chance for it and got the grants at I believe we were the only high school in the state >> to get MEMS and then to get both of them is remarkable. So I just want to compliment the administration, Superintendent Nwiki and um for your planning ahead proactive. >> It was also pretty cool to see the welding ribbon cutting actually involved welding like >> oh yeah >> to cut an iron bar and so that was pretty cool. Um but yeah, I mean I know we've talked a lot about recently that there's a lot going on that we have to uh you know threats to public education and things we have to fight against and it's also important to celebrate the wonderful things going on within our schools and and take a m
018a minute to um to celebrate these occasions and man if you have the opportunity to take a look at the welding building it's quite impressive and cool and the MEPS classrooms are you So, I kind of geeked out over that. And um and then of course the beautiful facilities for Franklin School of Opportunity, which is such a perfect environment for those kids to achieve their full potential and it's just a you know a wonderful environment which we're all super happy to have that happening. So, um uh other board comments. Okay. Um so, uh next week is um the hike and bike week and um we're encouraging all students to walk and ride to school whenever they can, but this is a particular focus on the elementary schools and um Bike Lakewood has been leading the
019coordination of next week's walk. Um but it's a group effort with the city bike lakewood um school administrators the principles um are being involved are now taking the lead in making sure that we have parents who are active in recruiting people for the uh bike lakewood pro for the hike and bike um success and uh PTAs are involved as well. So, it's a very much a a community effort about all that. And so, um and it in the safety grant um million dollars of safety money that we received as a grant to keep our make our buildings as safe as possible. There are I'm going to say this again because I've said it before, but we have we need each other to be safe for each other. Um there and so increasing walking and biking
020as a legitimate form of transportation particularly for our school-aged children provides many benefits for individuals as well as the community at large and it but it takes all of us paying attention. We have to listen, look as whatever our form of of transportation is, whether we're walking with our cell phone in front of us or we are riding our bike and seeing if we can like cheat and go through the red light because there are no char cars coming or if we are turning right on red and we forgot to stop at the stop sign that is before the sidewalk the crossing. Like there are these little things that we can do in our individual behaviors. So, um, so we just really need ourselves to be, um, aware and and practicing as much safety as
021possible. Um, because I'm very excited about the hike and bike week, um, I was wondering if we, um, could have a quick conversation about trying to um, show up um, as board members. >> Sure. Well, before we get to that, I would tack on >> encouraging people not to have headphones on when they're riding their bike or >> both children and adults alike. You know, that makes me a little scared when I see that. And also, uh going through um school zones and stopping at a stoplight and then forgetting they're in a school zone and just speeding through on the other end. Um but yeah, I think it's a great opportunity to go check out the hike and bike. So, absolutely. I know I'd >> be happy to hop on to I'm not sure I'll
022be biking, but at least walking. We'll see. >> But it'd be great to go check it out and see all the everybody participating. >> Yeah, >> I've got one at Grant. I'll uh I'll plan to be there. >> I'll plan to be there. >> Yeah. Maybe >> I'll be in touch. >> Yes. Yes. We'll get our act together spread out throughout the >> Yeah. >> There's one other piece to the hike and bike program um that um it's called the teacher tally and it's um an online tally that teachers do. Um it's coordinated through ODOT, right? Okay. And um it just it's a very simple question that teachers ask. How'd you get to school? Um and there are a whole bunch of answers. So it's kind of a multiple choice tally. Um, and there's been
023some discussion um in the hike and bike uh committee about whether or not it's a a good idea to collect this data um or if it causes I don't know if it's an invasion of privacy to ask a parent kids where how they got to school. And so I'm just like curious about like any thoughts on that or I mean how involved are the options? Well, if did you get dropped off by car? Was it car pool? Did you walk? Did you walk in a group? Did you ride your bike? Um I I think it even has bus. Um did you come by bus? Because it's a gen it's a statewide collection tool. So it's got all those other options that don't even apply to us because it's a standard form. Um, and it's a
024randomized like it's not like we don't it probably wouldn't happen on hike and bike week when we're trying to really encourage walking. It's just a gener it's just a ODOT sends it out and says this is the week you're going to collect it. >> Maybe you >> are you looking just to collect it for that week? I know last year we we did um partake in that and we um issued one week a month from February to May and collected that data. Our teachers did it I believe you know a few times during the week. They didn't do it every day and the teacher asks and the teacher inputs the data and so we worked with our um you know it's taking a little time for our teachers to do it but when it you
025know so for example for bus some of our kids do drive transportation because we have to you know we provide transportation for them um but what what is the the team is looking for specifically just >> trying to make sure that we do like they're just in asking us to be sure that we we collect the data because it helps to then secure future grants and future support. And it also helps us pinpoint, you know, what is working well and what do we need to tell people about more um so that they're aware of their options and kinds of things. >> So, um it's kind of interesting. I wonder if there's an opport opportunity to make that um like a math curriculum thing, you know, like a collecting data. >> Collecting data, >> statistics analysis,
026>> like kind of they do it. >> We'll have second grade do it. >> Yeah. >> Um it is a great idea. >> I don't know. It's kind of >> So is your your group is asking to do that? Sounds like just from the information you were sharing was >> some people weren't feeling as part of that committee that we should do that or >> there was some concern about whether or not we should or whether or not we would um understand >> I mean it go pretty well in the spring when we did it you did it for over those four months >> we did we did not hear any information um I believe and I I'm going to phone a friend here for a minute because she's the one that would have heard
027the information not myself all the time but uh Dr. diplom did we hear a lot from our community when we created or or when we utilized the OD ODAT survey and asked the questions >> would you mind going to the Thank you. So last spring we did ask our teachers grades prek through five to engage in the teacher tally um for several months I believe February, March, April and May. So we did get some data as a result of that. um there are some some different opportunities and options and ways that we can continue to collect data around the you know safe routes to schools and the active transportation work that we're doing. So we're exploring some of those other ideas with our principles as well. >> Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> That's
028it for me. >> Okay, thanks. Um, well, last Saturday I spent most of the day at Madison Park Community Festival. Had a great day speaking with a lot of members of the community and answering questions. And there are some questions that continue to come up. I know we've answered a number of them, but um, I thought this was an opportunity for me to clarify either what might be misunderstanding or misinformation. Um, this is just me speaking my own view on this and one of the most frequently asked questions concerns early childhood education and confusion about its role in a possible school consolidation. It appears that a cause and effect relationship has been presumed and speaking for myself, this has never been the case. Some facts that provide context. Lakewood school boards have been looking for
029ways to strengthen early childhood education for at least 25 years because early childhood education has been proven to prepare students to be successful. Lakewood embraced full day kindergarten early because of the educational value it holds despite the fact that the state only funds half a day. So the full day kindergarten in Lakewood is paid for half by the state and general fund dollars for the other half. I don't think we can question the value of that. Ear expanding early childhood education was included as one of the commitments during the 2020 levy campaign. visual aid. Um, and utilization of school buildings has also been a concern as are the costs related to capacity that's been considered for years. Board buildings on Warren Road were sold and administrative offices moved to Taft. In 2023, committee looked at
030building use and spent a year looking at the needs for the Franklin School of Opportunity students and the value of keeping Franklin School. What were the possibilities? Restore Franklin. I believe the cost would have been >> It was millions of >> eight million $8 million to restore Franklin. Move to the first floor of Taft and move prek programs elsewhere. move the FSO to the high school where there was capacity and FSO students access to academic extracurricular advantages would be greatly improved. We just celebrated that with the ribbon cutting. That decision to move created an environment inside the high school that serves these students and Franklin school was sold. Since I am speaking for myself, I can say with absolute certainty that I never considered consolidating elementary schools in order to have a centralized early education
031location. I, as well as previous board members, have always been proponents of early education opportunities and recognize the need for wraparound care as well as yearround programming in partnership with excellent providers in our community. I'm very troubled by the negativity expressed toward the idea of expanded early childhood education. Our prek programs have in no way influence the need to consider the impact of enrollment declines, birth rates, or population trends in Lakewood. I hope this answers this particular question. Consolidation or reassignment of school boards borders was never prompted by a need for an early childhood building. There is no comprehensive plan to my knowledge or that I participated in for an early education center because no decision has been made regarding our elementary buildings. Um I there's a quote that I love and I wish I
032knew who said it, but I don't. and it's that people who don't take the time to consider facts or context are eroding the public support when it is most needed. We need the public support and we need to have the facts out there in my estimation, my opinion. Um, and so I had this opportunity. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. I have one more thing. >> Sure. >> Um and it is um school started uh several weeks ago and um there was a new schedule introduced at the elementary levels and um and thank you to the teachers. Um thank you to the parents who have figured out the new schedule. Um I've been, you know, asking just some friends I know that teach at the elementary level and they're saying, "Yeah, kid
033parents are showing kids are getting dropped off on time." Um and um and so you thank you to the teachers who um who offered to add 15 minutes to their day. Um no adjustment in the contract other than that yes, we will work more. Um and be and they are just because they want the best for our students. And that 15 minutes is it's amazing what elementary teachers can do with 15 minutes. Um I so um anyway um I hope that um parents are um finding their kids coming home with just a little more curiosity and a little more energy um because of the dedication that their teachers give them. So shout out to um the elementary teachers for that schedule change. >> Thank you. Um, thank you. I just want to talk a little
034bit about public comments at our board meetings. Um, tonight before we, you know, at the beginning of public comment, I'm going to read an updated statement, um, which will be standard policy going forward. It's intended to give speakers guidance on how to participate and what kind of conduct is expected. And please know that public participation in our board meetings is really important to us. We view public comment as really valuable feedback. While there are any number of additional limitations we could put on public comment, and there's limitations that a lot of other places put on, including limiting how long public comment can take place, or some districts don't have it at all. We have avoided doing so because we really want to hear from the community. Um, I know some people also wonder why we
035don't answer questions or reply to comments during the meeting. Um, and there's a number of reasons why we adhere to this policy. First, it's this is con public comment is considered the public's time for participation. So, we in refrain from uh infringing upon it. Um also, we as a board are bound by ethics to respond to inquiries as a team rather than as individuals. So, that prevents us from addressing comments as a group in real time because we don't have time to agree upon it. Um third, the role of the board is to set policy and hire the superintendent and the treasurer while the superintendent is responsible for managing the operations of the district. So many questions fall within the superintendent's area of responsibility and so she would be the one. Um and then lastly,
036back and forth exchanges can often become contentious and possibly even produce incorrect information and responses. So the best practice is to listen to feedback and questions and follow up either individually or otherwise with you know or on you know frequently asked questions so that we have time to research answers and be uh accurate um with our responses. I would like to respond to one comment that was made at our most recent board meeting. Um one speaker ended her statement with the comment I know we all look forward to going back to a time when we didn't even know when school be school board meetings are. Um, I know the comment was made in justest and I promise you I do have a sense of humor despite the fact that it probably leans a little too
037hard on puns and sarcasm. However, I found this comment to be a little bit unfortunate. Um, a lot of valuable information is shared at these meetings, much of it during the superintendence report. We rotate the meetings among the different school buildings to give principles the opportunity to highlight programs going on in the schools and honor student achievement. And recent in meetings have included reports on student nutrition programs, recreation programs, building project updates, curriculum development, a lot of things that we get a lot of questions about. So, it's really informative to the public. Um, we honor the excellence of our theater program and sports teams, our elementary house system, our middle school stuff, the hate program participants, and so much more. So, it's really, I think, worth, you know, attending and hearing some of this stuff.
038So, while I addressed above how much the board and ad administration, we all really appreciate when the community members come to our meetings and speak about what's on your minds. We also want you to remember that's also a great time to listen because if you don't, you're really missing out. And that's all I have to say about that. Anybody else have any other question comments? Okay. Um, moving on to public participation. The following procedures govern public participation at all regular school board meetings. These procedures apply to all speakers. The board does not discriminate based on the identity of the speaker, the content of the speech, or the viewpoint of the speaker. In order to speak during a regular board meeting, attendees must first sign in and indicate their intent to speak before entering the meeting.
039During the public participation portion of the board meeting, speakers will be called in order of signing in and will be requested to state their name, city, and street. Speakers will be limited to three minutes as indicated by the clock on display. All statements must be addressed to me as the presiding officer. Questions or comments directed at individual administrators or board members will not be permitted. Comments that are repetitive, obscene, and/or threatening will not be tolerated. Participants may be asked to stop speaking and or leave the meeting for engaging in such behavior and or for not observing reasonable decorum or for being disruptive to the meeting. Participants are encouraged to direct any concerns about individual staff members to the superintendent prior to bringing them to the board. Thank you for adhering to these procedures. I will
040now begin calling up speakers to participate. And our very first speaker is Melissa Hair. I'm Melissa Hair and I'm the president of the Lakewood Teachers Association. President Kenberger, Vice President Shaughnessy, board members, Superintendent Nidwicki, Treasurer Zean. Um, I come sharing this um, statement that was crafted by the Lakewood Teachers Association um, executive board. The Lakewood Teachers Association supports the Lakewood Board of Education's process as it examines the district's facilities usage. While other area districts have made these decisions unilaterally and with little prior notice, the board and administration chose to extend the process across multiple years, use several methods of gathering information and engaging stakeholders. In all of our interactions with the board and administration, we have found them to be thorough, professional, financially responsible, and committed to acting in the best interest of the Lakewood
041City School District as a whole. We believe that the board and administration are acting in accordance with these principles as they work to reconcile our facilities with our enrollment needs. While we recognize that this process has been difficult for many, we believe that the board and administration are acting responsibly and in good faith to place the district in the best position to continue its mission of providing an outstanding education for every student who enters our buildings. We look forwarding We look forward to continuing our partnership with the board and administration to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Dan Kirk. Dan Kirk, Northland Avenue. Over and over, we have asked for a real strategy. >> Oh, sorry. >> One that doesn't ask which
042school to close, but first ask how to keep every school open. A key part of that strategy must include marketing our schools and community in partnership with the city, residents, and foundations to grow the number of families living here. But don't just take my word for it. Let's take the district's own. Back in 2023 during the original facility study task force, declining enrollment was a was discussed at the very first meeting. A representative from the mayor's office suggested we should work together with the school district to look at opportunities to grow the enrollment. Our district tre treasurer responded by saying that would need to be part of our strategic plan. That was two and a half years ago. Has anything besides proposing a closure been attempted since then? Again this year, community members recommended marketing
043instead of closing? Our school board president agreed and said, "Your recommendation about marketing our district, specifically our walkability, is a great one. A renewed approach to marketing this unique asset of Lakewood to families in Northeast Ohio and beyond can only be beneficial. So, we have agreement on record from the school board, administration, our mayor's office, and the community. We all recognize Lakewood has something unique that many places don't. A walkable neighborhood school district. Every single effort should go into preserving that. But what about city council? Schools are absolutely critical to a city and they've been strangely quiet on this subject. But over 20 years ago, in the very first issue of the Lakewood Observer, there was an article titled Lakewood on the threshold by now council member Tom Bulock. In it, Tom quotes a local
044professor of urban planning. Lakewood needs to market the community, emphasizing the family environment, excellent libraries and schools. The marketing should be national, noting the opportunities to start and grow businesses in a community where your children will walk to a neighborhood school. That was 2005. Now 20 years later, we are still asking the same question. The answer has been in front of us all along. Before moving forward with an irreversible school closure that offers no guarantee of success, I ask you first to show leadership along with our other elected officials and follow your own good advice. Let's market the district. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Austin Roads. Hello. Um Austin Rhodess, my first board meeting. I live on Virginia Avenue. I'm a parent of a current kindergartener and a future kindergartener.
045Um my question for the board is what other options have been considered um other than a school closure. I haven't seen um any levies or anything that might be an alternative to a school closure um talked about or in any of the literature that I've read. I feel like there might be other options other than a school closure. Um I moved here at the end of at the beginning of this year and one of the reasons I moved to Lakewood and to Virginia Avenue was the proximity to this school and the ability to walk my children to elementary. Um the closure of this school in particular would hurt my ability to do that and one of the primary reasons I moved here. Um I feel like the last speaker nailed it in saying that one
046of the greatest assets that the city has is the walkability of the school district and the convenience for parents and families to get to school to my daughter goes to afterare to have all of that local is fantastic. um losing that would be um not only a short-term loss for my family, I feel like it'd be a long-term loss for the city and would erode enrollment over time. Um so I hope that you will consider other opportunities. Um and then lastly, if it is possible to delay a decision after the uh November election, I feel like that would give the voters a chance to align their votes with um board candidates who support their vision for the Lakewood School District. Um, thank you. >> Thank you. Um, our next speaker is Chelsea Davio. >> Good
047evening. I'm Chelsea Davio. I live on Virginia Avenue in Lakewood. Um, good evening board members. I'm a parent of an elementary school student and a preschooler who attends a private preschool. I was born and raised here in Lakewood. From a young age, I was grounded in the values that define our community. Values that reflect what it means to be a global citizen. These values have shaped me and the reason that I deliberately made the choice to move back as a young parent. I came back because I believed in the vision of our strong neighborhood schools, modern facilities, and a community that supports all children. I came back because Lakewood is the place to be. And that's not just an opinion. That's a fact supported by our school's performance, our diversity, and the sense of belonging
048that defines this city. In fact, Lakewood has a reputation um sorry, based and seen in platforms such as niche.com and Norththeast Ohio Parent, which regularly rank Lakewood as one of the top cities in Northeast Ohio to raise a family in. Why? Because of our modern and walkable schools, our strong sense of community, and our commitment to public education. As presented at the Lincoln PTA meeting, it was announced that 21 new students have enrolled at Lincoln, a sign of continued interest in our schools. As we welcome these students, I ask, how are we actively connecting and engaging with these families? Building strong relationships from the very beginning helps sorry to create a foundation of trust, inclusion, and support for all students to succeed. As we as we look ahead, I would like to share with you
049the 2025 Ohio State report card. It is important to note that Grant and Lincoln remain our only five-star schools in Lakewood. The ma this matters deeply because our community pride relies on it and families consider this when they're moving from outside of the district. These stars are not just a symbol, but they're are magnets for families that want to move to a committed school district. I have much more to say, but I think you get the gist of it. I appreciate your time and I, as Dan suggested, I really encourage you to communicate with the board about the direction and growth of our community. Thank you for your time. [Applause] >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Emily Lindberg. Good evening. My name is Emily Lindberg. I live on Lauderdale Avenue. Um, and first I
050want to thank the members of the board for your excellent service and for continuing to welcome and encourage public comments. Um, that said, tonight though, I want to direct my comments to my fellow parents. Um, many of you have spoken at these meetings passionately about keeping all seven of our neighborhood elementary schools open. One of the biggest reasons I've heard is that we do value a true walking distance uh district. And I couldn't agree more. Uh but for our schools to be walkable, our streets must be truly safe. And this is where parents can make a real difference. I urge the parents in this room and those watching from home to take your passion for neighborhood schools and bring it to city hall. Attend our city council meetings. Speak up for safer crossings, calmer traffic,
051protected pedestrian and bike infrastructure, better citywide connections, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. The city of Lakewood is the entity that sets the policies and designs the streets we walk and bike on every day. Right now, the city is accepting applications for a new complete and active streets education advisory board known as case. This board will help guide how Lakewood improves safety and accessibility for people of all ages and abilities, including our children walking and biking to school. Parents, please consider applying for the case advisory board. Your voices are powerful and our kids need to use them and need us to use them. Um, not just here, but across the city. Unfortunately, I did not grow up in Lakewood. Um, but it is my understanding that Lakewood has already lost three elementary schools and one
052middle school in recent history. I hope we will not lose anymore. now, especially if it means removing preschool programs from our neighborhood schools and centralizing them into one building because decisions like that would have consequences far beyond what we can see today. Not just for our families, but for all people who walk and bike in Lakewood. That's why it's more important than ever that we work together to ensure Lakewood has safe streets for all. Thank you. Thank you. And that concludes the public comment uh portion of our meeting. Um at this point we traditionally let people uh give people the opportunity to leave if they so choose. Um >> but you're always welcome to stay. >> You're always welcome to stay. Um and then we'll move on to the consent agenda part of the meeting.
053and it's short. >> A motion. >> Uh so do we have a motion to uh accept the consent agenda? >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zean, can you call the role? >> Mrs. Kenberger. >> Hi. >> Miss Shaughnessy. >> Hi. >> Miss Clark Sutton. >> Hi. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Dman. >> Hi. >> Thank you. And next we'll move on to human resources. Uh Mrs. Shaughnessy, >> thank you very much. Um we have a total of 128 certified actions including unpaid leave of absence, appointments and compensations and pay adjustments. Um Mr. Zman, is there any reason we can't vote on all these at one time? >> You can do them all at once. >> Okay. Thank you. Um we have 38 classified actions, 16 appointments, 20 special compensation and
054two salary and adjustments. We have a total of nine actions for classified non-emp employee coaches and advisors, also known as ECS, nine appointments, and 16 actions for community recreation and education. Um, 10 in athletics, three in event staff, and three in programs. And I would move adoption of this resolution. >> I second. >> All in favor? I >> thank you. Um and now we will move on to other board business. Uh Miss Shaughnessy, >> thank you very much. Um we have class total of six classified actions. Um request is approved on one reading. Um because I know they want to move people around. Um there are resignations but they are resignations because the person is moving to a different position in the um district to leader positions or from cafeteria to a pair professional position.
055Um and then there is a resignation of I regret very much for retirement. Um and I would move adoption of this one reading. >> I second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Zean, can you call the role? >> Miss Kazberger. >> I. >> Miss Shaughnessy. >> I clung >> I. >> Mr. Callahan. >> Hi. >> Miss D. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Um, that concludes the business of the meeting. Do have a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> This meeting is adjourned.