Cleveland Clinic inside Lakewood High School

[Kate McCarthy]

This city and school board is putting me in the mind to never support giving them any more money unless there is a total overhaul in governance. Feel ripped off that my support and work on prior levies just ended up with supporting CCF lackeys.

[Bridget Conant]

This city and school board is putting me in the mind to never support giving them any more money unless there is a total overhaul in governance. Feel ripped off that my support and work on prior levies just ended up with supporting CCF lackeys.

In addition to spending money on a PR firm!

Explain to me why we are paying for this firms "services," whatever they are, and a survey that apparently will be used to sell us something.

[Lori Allen _]

First, it may be worth saying that it is quite easy to skew any survey/poll to produce results in your favor. That is nothing new.

Regarding this issue specifically, (assuming Mr. Myers received factual information), one of the Vice Presidents of Burges & Burges lives here in Lakewood, two doors down from one of the mayor's best friends and three doors down from an active LHA member. Two other Burges & Burges employees also live in Lakewood.

Also, notice on their website that one of their specialties is “crisis management”. Sound familiar? They also work on election campaigns, apparently.

Also according to the website, this business is run out of the owner's one-story, lakefront home not an office.

This “survey” appears to be a direct copy from City Hall's playbook. Do you understand what I am saying to you? If not, please remove your head from the dirt and turn your brain on for a moment.

In summary: Lakewood City Schools apparently hired a PR firm (presumably with our tax dollars, more apparently wasted) to create a “survey” which will almost undoubtedly produce results in the school district's favor. One of the Vice Presidents of this company lives very close to both a mayor's friend and an LHA member in one of Lakewood's most affluent neighborhoods. Two other known employees of this firm also live in Lakewood. One of this company's specialties is “crisis management”.

If you didn't understand that and connect the dots, try removing your head embedded in the dirt again and then re-read the above paragraph.

Rather than dumping taxpayer funds and giving business to private “PR”' firms in order to control the message, why not just answer the questions posed here by Mr. Monahan, myself, and others? That would cost virtually nothing. We are still waiting.

Much like most school districts however, more money will apparently be dumped down the toilet on “PR”. School districts in general tend to be the biggest “money-wasters.”

Hang on to your wallets folks, I smell a school levy coming in 2018 or 2019!

[John Myers]

The Fake survey is as bad as the "push poll" that Bullock helped CCF create using taxpayer charitable money to destroy the hospital.

It should be noted that these Lakewood Listens surveys are hosted by Burges and Burges, a PR/strategy firm, not by the Lakewood schools.

From its site:
“Burges & Burges Strategists is a proven performance leader in designing and applying research, strategy, and communications to achieve results.”

https://www.burgesandburges.com

Mr. Meyers,

This is interesting information.

So, if i understand this new wrinkle---the school district is spending tax dollars on a PR firm (a PR firm that also helped Summers get re-elected with lies)----the taxpayer funded spin is then used to support and reinforce a program that gives away taxpayer funding medical space, heat, electricity, security, internet, security, maintenance to the County's largest employer for Free!

So, how do you know Burges & Burges authored the "Lakewood Listens" push survey questions and "choices"?

To be fair, I didn’t say that Burges & Burges authored the survey, because I can’t say with full certainty that they did. It does, however, appear that Burges & Burges has administered the Lakewood Listens surveys.

Although the survey expired on Monday, I have provided the link from the email that I received from the Lakewood
city Wxhools. The page currently offers an email address of someone at Burges & Burges to contact about the survey.
http://research.zarca.com/survey.aspx?k ... ng=0&data=

The Lakewood Listens survey that was sent out on August 18 followed the same format. The link to that expired survey is below.
http://research.zarca.com/survey.aspx?k ... ng=0&data=

[Lori Allen _]

I suggest that any questions regarding the "fake survey" be directed to the school board members. I would like to see their response posted here on the Deck. Of course, we are still waiting to see all the documentation, including a copy of the signed contract, that was requested awhile ago here on the Deck.

Perhaps the schools have lawyered up. If not, they should!

[Mark Kindt]

I encourage Deck writers to initiate a new topic thread that raises for fulsome discussion this question:

Now that both the City and the School Board have integrated the operations of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation into the fabric of our city, how do our elected and appointed officials make decisions independently of CFF and it battery of lawyers?

[Lori Allen _]

I believe that the Cleveland Clinic, the Summer's Gang and our school board members have all been a part of this huge city scam since day one.
It appears that the Lakewood City School's PR person has decided to follow our city leader's principles of releasing public documents. We are still waiting to see all the documentation, including a copy of the authentic signed contract, for the high school clinic deal, to be posted here on the Deck, as requested, more than once.

I believe it makes one question the legalities of the deal when the Lakewood PUBLIC Schools refuse to oblige a public records request.

The schools, just like the city did with Lakewood Hospital, think they can put out a "fact sheet", and that should appease us.

To all school board members: what are you hiding?

I would not trust any of the school board members, nor support any further levies, until they post the requested documents that we are once more, asking for.

Proceed with caution folks, something does not smell right.

[Lori Allen _]

Wow! I guess my last post, ( see above ) really hit a sore spot with Mr. Summers.

What is the matter Mr. Summers, are things getting too close for comfort?

Mr. Summers, actions have consequences. It appears yours are starting to catch up with you.

Do you feel like the walls are closing in on you? I believe that this will help you get used to being in a confined space, like a jail cell.

[Christine Gordillo]

Public records requests for Lakewood City Schools must be made through the Treasurer's Office by sending an email to kent.zeman@lakewoodcityschools.org.

The Board Policy #8310 regarding public records can be found at the following link:

http://www.neola.com/lakewood-oh/

Christine Gordillo
Communications & PR Coordinator
Lakewood City Schools

[Stan Austin]

That is the most insulting reply that I have ever heard from an employee of any of our governmental bodies.

[Lori Allen _]

Ms. Gordillo,

Thanks very much for clearing that up.

Nonetheless, that does not relieve you of your duties to answer requests for information. On September 11th, 2017 on page five of this thread, I requested answers to the following questions:

While maybe well-intended, this FAQ does not answer any of my questions. For example, myself and probably many others are awaiting answers to the following questions:

1. What is the total estimated cost to Lakewood City Schools (the taxpayers) for the construction and operation of this clinic? When will itemized statements be available breaking down the total or estimated cost of the following:

A. Construction of the separate, 1,300 square foot clinic for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
B. Implementation of a HIPPA secure computer/internet system for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
C. Purchase of a backup generator to be used by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation at this clinic.
D. Annual utility costs to operate this clinic (electric, water, heat, internet service, telephone service, etc.)

2. Were any bond issue funds used to construct this separate, 1,300 square-foot clinic at Lakewood High School? If so, could someone please cite where in the bond issue language this clinic was mentioned?

3. Was any outside funding (federal, state, county, etc.) used in the construction of this clinic? If so, could someone please post letters of approval from those agencies that issued the funds?

4. Where can a copy of the full, signed contract between the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the Lakewood City Schools regarding this clinic be found?

5. Will there be a separate sign in front of LHS advertising the clinic? If so, who will pay for the sign and the costs of erecting it? The same question applies regarding the special parking spaces for the clinic outside LHS.

6. Can it be safely assumed now that no open bidding took place whatsoever? If this is not the case, is there a list of all bidders and bids available?

7. The bottom line is: where is all of this money coming from?

These are simple requests for information that warrant an answer within a reasonable period of time. My hard-earned money was evidently spent on this Clinic, and I believe myself and other members of the public are entitled to more than a bare-bones FAQ sheet. Tomorrow, it will be one month since I initially posed these questions. These are not public records requests (except for possibly #4, which is actually more of a question than a request for a document).

Other members of the public have also posed questions as well. I do not believe they have received a response either.

I look forward to the above questions being answered soon.

Thanks again.

[Lori Allen _]

And....



Is the response.

?

[Lori Allen _]

1. What is the total estimated cost to Lakewood City Schools (the taxpayers) for the construction and operation of this clinic? When will itemized statements be available breaking down the total or estimated cost of the following:

A. Construction of the separate, 1,300 square foot clinic for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
B. Implementation of a HIPPA secure computer/internet system for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
C. Purchase of a backup generator to be used by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation at this clinic.
D. Annual utility costs to operate this clinic (electric, water, heat, internet service, telephone service, etc.)

2. Were any bond issue funds used to construct this separate, 1,300 square-foot clinic at Lakewood High School? If so, could someone please cite where in the bond issue language this clinic was mentioned?

3. Was any outside funding (federal, state, county, etc.) used in the construction of this clinic? If so, could someone please post letters of approval from those agencies that issued the funds?

4. Where can a copy of the full, signed contract between the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the Lakewood City Schools regarding this clinic be found?

5. Will there be a separate sign in front of LHS advertising the clinic? If so, who will pay for the sign and the costs of erecting it? The same question applies regarding the special parking spaces for the clinic outside LHS.

6. Can it be safely assumed now that no open bidding took place whatsoever? If this is not the case, is there a list of all bidders and bids available?

7. The bottom line is: where is all of this money coming from?

Still waiting. This makes 43 days and counting since the above questions were originally asked.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Lori

I had a chance to put your questions in front of the Administration, and after two days received these answers.

If it had been the CCF or not, if there had been an agreement or not, the space still would have been built. One thing they asked us to remember

Their Answers Are In RED.

1. What is the total estimated cost to Lakewood City Schools (the taxpayers) for the construction and operation of this clinic? No additional cost associated with construction or operations of the clinic. See 1.A. When will itemized statements be available breaking down the total or estimated cost of the following:

A. Construction of the separate, 1,300 square foot clinic for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. No additional cost for square footage. This space was the original footprint for the LHS Health Center.
B. Implementation of a HIPPA secure computer/internet system for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Direct set up by CCF. No cost to district.
C. Purchase of a backup generator to be used by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation at this clinic. There is no extra cost. There is no back up generator for CCF.
D. Annual utility costs to operate this clinic (electric, water, heat, internet service, telephone service, etc.) This area is not metered separately.

2. Were any bond issue funds used to construct this separate, 1,300 square-foot clinic at Lakewood High School? Yes, again this was the space for the original LHS Health Clinic. If so, could someone please cite where in the bond issue language this clinic was mentioned? The OFCC Design Manual allocates square footage for student health centers at all schools.

3. Was any outside funding (federal, state, county, etc.) used in the construction of this clinic? Yes, again this was the space for the original LHS Health Clinic. If so, could someone please post letters of approval from those agencies that issued the funds? The OFCC approved the design and construction of Lakewood High School.

4. Where can a copy of the full, signed contract between the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the Lakewood City Schools regarding this clinic be found? Refer to Public Records Board Policy #8310

5. Will there be a separate sign in front of LHS advertising the clinic? Yes If so, who will pay for the sign and the costs of erecting it? CCF The same question applies regarding the special parking spaces for the clinic outside LHS. The district provided reserved spots and signage for parking for the health center.

6. Can it be safely assumed now that no open bidding took place whatsoever? There was nothing to bid on as this was an agreement for services provided to the district at no cost. The district has a relationship with CCF for a number of services and this endeavor was an outgrowth of the Mobile Clinic that has been available to our students for the past few years. Refer to FAQ's for details on specific services provided to our students and staff. If this is not the case, is there a list of all bidders and bids available? Conversations with other health care providers occurred with district administration, however, no other provider was able to provide these services at the time of those conversations. Some have expressed interest in learning about the model and working to replicate it down the road. The district would have interest in expanding this level of service in the future.

7. The bottom line is: where is all of this money coming from? The minimal costs to the district were paid through construction funds. The benefits to students far outweigh any cost to the district.



.

[Bridget Conant]

Conversations with other health care providers occurred with district administration, however, no other provider was able to provide these services at the time of those conversations.

NO ONE ELSE WAS INTERESTED.

Hey, that excuse served them well during the hospital debacle, so no wonder they continue to use it.

Except that it's NOT TRUE.