Who Runs The Schools?

[Jim O'Bryan]

I have been working on a bunch of things, one is how and who runs Lakewood City Schools, as of late I have began to wonder who if anyone runs Lakewood Schools?

Dr. Estrop? The Board? Chaz? Outside Influences? Treasurer?

Then who runs the Library? which is part of the school system. The School Board? The Library Board? One or two rogue members? Friends? outsiders?

Is there a secret "star chamber" that we never vote on?

What do you think?

Do we really feel secure "letting the few gifted people" run it for the rest
of the unwashed huddled masses? As it was told to me.

Just curious.


.

[Christopher Bindel]

I really hope the "unwashed huddled masses" wasn't part of the original quote and you just took some creative liberties. If not that is kind of disturbing. What a nice way to think of your fellow Lakewoodites.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I really hope the "unwashed huddled masses" wasn't part of the original quote and you just took some creative liberties. If not that is kind of disturbing. What a nice way to think of your fellow Lakewoodites.

Christopher

It is not part of the original quote, but when people tell me "the gifted like themselves..." one can only imagine how little they really think of their volunteers errrrrrr fellow residents.

Would you not agree?

.

[Corey Rossen]

Then who runs the Library? which is part of the school system. The School Board? The Library Board? One or two rogue members? Friends? outsiders?

I thought it was the wooden guy from the photo, he seems to be worthy, and somewhat honest.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Then who runs the Library? which is part of the school system. The School Board? The Library Board? One or two rogue members? Friends? outsiders?

I thought it was the wooden guy from the photo, he seems to be worthy, and somewhat honest.

Well actually, the wooden guy was sold, and the other one is moving


on



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[Christopher Bindel]

No, I totally understand your point. It dose not come off well either way, and although not surprising to hear, it is disappointing. I was just hoping, regardless of if they meant it or not, no one would be stupid enough to say something that blatantly insensitive and mean.

[Jim O'Bryan]

No, I totally understand your point. It dose not come off well either way, and although not surprising to hear, it is disappointing. I was just hoping, regardless of if they meant it or not, no one would be stupid enough to say something that blatantly insensitive and mean.

Meant it as long I have known the person. Has hundreds of great insensitive
quotes I can start laying out after I no longer own the paper.

Another one by a cohort, that is part of Lakewood's economic development team. Talking about how hard it is for a small storefront in Lakewood to make ends meet. "Well most of those businesses probably deserve to go out of business." But of course the person has NEVER tried to start anything.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it will be so nice to be myself again.

yeah, can't wait.


peace

[Valerie Molinski]

I really hope the "unwashed huddled masses" wasn't part of the original quote and you just took some creative liberties. If not that is kind of disturbing. What a nice way to think of your fellow Lakewoodites.

Christopher

It is not part of the original quote, but when people tell me "the gifted like themselves..." one can only imagine how little they really think of their volunteers errrrrrr fellow residents.

Would you not agree?

.

So "one of the gifted" like themselves IS an actual part of an actual quote? Because.. I honestly cannot imagine someone really saying that. At least not with a straight face. Mercy.

[ryan costa]

the schools run mostly on inertia.

The 'System' runs the school. the system is a collection of paperwork and protocols.

most people don't understand most of it. which is why they aren't qualified to run the schools.

once you are qualified to run the schools....it is mostly a question of following the protocols and filling out the paperwork correctly. There may be many business lunches and committee meetings involved. to discuss if the paperwork is being filled out correctly.

the problem with schools is that they do not meet the needs of our society. Our society apparently needs 10 to 20 illegal immigrant laborers. Our schools don't prepare underperforming students for these jobs. they are not integrated into the needs of our society. there is far less incentive to succeed. but entertainment is cheap. you can watch the videos and listen to the music of Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz' hit album "Crunk Juice" on cable tv at home, on youtube at the public library, on your iPod, on your cell phone's custom ring tone, on your portable cd player, on your car stereo, on your t-shirts and accessories.

[Dee Martinez]

Mr. Costa actually has it right, although his perspective is somewhat negative.
No one "runs" the schools. The schools arent like city government, where an election of a new mayor or council can make a major difference. The school board doesnt make "laws" it sets "policies" Thats why its a "board" (like Microsoft or Chrysler have) rather than a legislature.
Those policies have to be in keeping with state and federal laws and requirements and in reality its the state that "runs" the schools.
The board hires a superintendent to manage day to day operations. Does that meet the definition of "running the schools"? The board decides when to ask the voters for more money (unlike some states they cant make raise taxes on their own). The board has to approve personnnel actions and approve labor contracts.
The last paragraph of Mr Costa's post is a bit of a rant so Ill let others comment on that but I would advise Mr O'Bryan or anyone else looking into who "runs" Lakewood schools to study the structure of Ohio school management. You cant look at it like you look at the city state or county.

[Bill Call]

I have been working on a bunch of things, one is how and who runs Lakewood City Schools, as of late I have began to wonder who if anyone runs Lakewood Schools?

Cui Bono?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cui_bono

[Jim O'Bryan]

The last paragraph of Mr Costa's post is a bit of a rant so Ill let others comment on that but I would advise Mr O'Bryan or anyone else looking into who "runs" Lakewood schools to study the structure of Ohio school management. You cant look at it like you look at the city state or county.

Dee

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Joe Madak last week. I was very
impressed with the conversation and his grasp of the job and the job ahead of him.

What was really impressive to me was that he really wanted to come back to Lakewood.
He really missed his job with the schools, and the schools he had headed up being built.
He missed nearly every aspect of the city. It is always nice to run into someone that realizes
what he misses, and gives up so much to come back. The schoolboard now has the
administrator it was searching for, for years, now it will be interesting.

However your definition while correct is completely askew. In a perfect world, in
a vacuum you are correct. But this is Lakewood Ohio, where most "groups" and many
more have agendas. Where "our way or the highway" is the common thread. Where
many are above being questioned, and even more take to the back hallways to push
their very private, ego driven, or $$ agendas.

Bill

Cui Bono, indeed.



.

[Dee Martinez]

As a publisher in Lakewood Mr. O'Bryan, you have a responsibility to not make sinister semi-accusations. If you have some information regarding your assertion that there are groups "running the schools" you need to be specific in your allegations or keep them to yourself.
Who are the "groups" with the "agendas" that are saying "my way or the highway?
If you know you have the responsibility to make it public with your evidence.
Ive noticed that you are very good at hinting and name-dropping. Lakewood schools are too important an enterprise for those tactics.
Just one humble persons take.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Just one humble persons take.

Dee

Call me, email me, let's have coffee. You tell me what I should do.

"As a publisher..." I am not sure that has any real ramifications. For 5 years I have been told,
"As the publisher..." I can say this and can't say that. I have worked with and am now working
with many "new" publishers. To my knowledge, no school program, no code of ethics like
in the medical profession, exists for "publishers."

Or more to the point, am I even a publisher? Or am I merely a caretaker? The Lakewood
Observer was set up as a community paper without the regular "editorial board" while it
says "publisher" on my card, I do not post or write as "publisher."

Call me, email me, let's have coffee. You tell me what I should do.

FWIW


.

[marklingm]

I have been working on a bunch of things, one is how and who runs Lakewood City Schools, as of late I have began to wonder who if anyone runs Lakewood Schools?

Jim,

Your post topic is a little misleading as its scope goes beyond simply "Who Runs The Schools?" As to your City and Library questions, I will respectfully defer to others. And, yes, the Lakewood City School District Board of Education does appoint the Lakewood Public Library Trustees as the Lakewood Public Library is a “school district free public library.” See R.C. 3375.15.

As to the Schools, the current, five members of the Lakewood City School District Board of Education run the schools. We hired Dr. P. Joseph Madak as superintendent to oversee the educational aspects of our school district, and we have Rick Berdine as treasurer to oversee our financial aspects. Both Dr. Madak and Mr. Berdine serve the Lakewood City Schools well; however, in the end, the ultimate responsibility rests with the Board of Education itself.

Matt

Do we really feel secure "letting the few gifted people" run it for the rest
of the unwashed huddled masses? As it was told to me.

Jim,

I know that comment was not made by me. Nor do I believe that it was made by any current member of the Lakewood City School District Board of Education. Correct?

Matt

No one "runs" the schools. The schools arent like city government, where an election of a new mayor or council can make a major difference. The school board doesnt make "laws" it sets "policies" Thats why its a "board" (like Microsoft or Chrysler have) rather than a legislature.

Those policies have to be in keeping with state and federal laws and requirements and in reality its the state that "runs" the schools.

The board hires a superintendent to manage day to day operations. Does that meet the definition of "running the schools"? The board decides when to ask the voters for more money (unlike some states they cant make raise taxes on their own). The board has to approve personnnel actions and approve labor contracts.

Dee,

Actually, a school board has a great deal of statutory power. Some may even argue that a school board has more statutory power than a mayor or city council. For example, R.C. 3313.20(A) provides that: "The board of education of a school district or the governing board of an educational service center shall make any rules that are necessary for its government and the government of its employees, pupils of its schools, and all other persons entering upon its school grounds or premises."

By further example, R.C. 3313.47 provides that: "Each city, exempted village, or local board of education shall have the management and control of all of the public schools of whatever name or character that it operates in its respective district."

By comparison, there are relatively few statutory powers granted to either a superintendent or treasurer. Any additional powers are granted by the school board in the interest of an efficient operation of the system of public education, which makes a great deal of sense in my opinion. But, the current school board is not simply a “rubber stamp.”

In the end, there really is no such thing as a micro-managing school board, as a matter of law. But there certainly can be micro-managing school board members.

Matt

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Joe Madak last week. I was very impressed with the conversation and his grasp of the job and the job ahead of him.

What was really impressive to me was that he really wanted to come back to Lakewood. He really missed his job with the schools, and the schools he had headed up being built. He missed nearly every aspect of the city. It is always nice to run into someone that realizes what he misses, and gives up so much to come back.

Jim,

Dr. Madak is the best of the best. I believe that all of Lakewood welcomes Joe home with open arms.

Matt