Issue 6 for Lakewood Schools!

[marklingm]

To learn more about “Issue 6 for Lakewood Schools!,” please visit the levy campaign website at http://www.lakewoodschildren.org.

There is also a Facebook page which can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lakewood-OH/Issue-6-for-Lakewood-Schools/10150131305150529?ref=nf.

Matt Markling

[Richard Baker]

Truth in advertising verses excellence in education. Perhaps Lakewood School Districts has not seen their state ranking for education excellence because they are being blinded by the fact they have one of the highest per student funding. We defiantly need more taxes for higher wages, more benefits, and lower achievement for few students. If the Lakewood state ranking were at the same level as their funding then they would have an argument for an increase. Lakewood School District is a perfect example that money does not buy excellence in education.

When Lakewood acquires the same state ranking as their funding then the taxpayers should consider more funding. Until then, they do not deserve a dime and using children to cover up mediocrity for additional funding is typical of educators.

[Danielle Masters]

I'm a bit confused Mr. Baker, the school district received an excellent ranking from the state. http://www.ode.state.oh.us/reportcardfi ... 044198.pdf

While there is always room for improvement an excellent ranking is pretty darn good. The only ranking higher is excellent with distinction and that would be wonderful and is a goal that the district should and I would imagine does strive for. I speak from personal experience, I have been very pleased with the education my children receive from gifted education, regular ed and special ed. I have also been pleased with the extracurricular activities that my children have been able to participate in. And also high on my list is the level of music education that the schools teach. This is a diverse community and we have diverse schools, I for one see the schools as doing an excellent job with the education of my five children.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Truth in advertising verses excellence in education. Perhaps Lakewood School Districts has not seen their state ranking for education excellence because they are being blinded by the fact they have one of the highest per student funding. We defiantly need more taxes for higher wages, more benefits, and lower achievement for few students. If the Lakewood state ranking were at the same level as their funding then they would have an argument for an increase. Lakewood School District is a perfect example that money does not buy excellence in education.

When Lakewood acquires the same state ranking as their funding then the taxpayers should consider more funding. Until then, they do not deserve a dime and using children to cover up mediocrity for additional funding is typical of educators.

Richard

I can appreciate your sentiments, but the schools do need this levy. I had the pleasure of
speaking with those in the know recently, and this is a person that has never lied to
me or played me.(rare on this team) They do need the money.

What could be even worse is waiting for the next chance.

I think we need to make the Board accountable for the schools, but that can be handled
in the next election. Though I believe that is Matt Markling up, and he is one of the few
on the board to fight for transparency and accountability. So that too should be a no
brainer.

One thing I have noticed going to other cities is that Lakewood is known for our dedication
to education. New schools wonderful libraries, and the investment make people notice,
and does make this a destination for those looking for a place to live.

For the small amount this one costs, I think we give it, and then hold them accountable.

I know you can afford it. Hell you and I can spend more at the bar in a sitting, in fact we
have, then this will cost for a full year.

.
accountable.

[Sean Wheeler]

We defiantly need more taxes for higher wages, more benefits, and lower achievement for few students

Mr. Baker,

I think that an inspection of the proposed levy will show no indication of ANY pay raises nor any increase in benefits. Our students are performing very well, and as a Lakewood High School teacher, I am committed to raising the bar for my students even higher than our, already garnered, excellent rating.

I must admit that I am one of the teachers on the chopping block when the lay-offs, which are a forgone conclusion of our current budget crisis, inevitably hit. I am also a resident of Lakewood with two children, both of which will be educated by Lakewood Public Schools. This is why I find the kind of disinformation quoted above to be worthy of comment.

[marklingm]

Matt Markling

[Bill Call]

We defiantly need more taxes for higher wages, more benefits, and lower achievement for few students

Mr. Baker,

I think that an inspection of the proposed levy will show no indication of ANY pay raises nor any increase in benefits.

So for the next three years no employee of the school system will be receiving a raise of ANY kind and the amount paid by the district for medical benefits and retirement benefits will remain unchanged?

[Bryan Schwegler]

I'll vote for the levy as long as you promise never to buy textbooks from Texas...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1253

[David Anderson]

Mr. Baker

I appreciate your post. Some of your questions are the same ones I've asked myself over the years and during the past few months.

Based upon what I have been able to discern from state and local reports, it appears as though Lakewood's school system has built in an infrastructure to deal with an increasing number of at-risk students who tend to also be more expensive to teach.

Enrollment: 2003-04 – 6,505; 2008-09 – 5,605
%’age of students with some form of learning disability: 2003-04 – 13.5%; 2008-09 – 15.7%
%’age of students considered economically disadvantaged: 2003-04 – 31.1%; 2008-09 – 49.7%
%’age of students limited English proficient: 2003-04 – 10.1%; 2008-09 – 8.1%

So, as enrollment has decreased almost 14% since the 2003-04 school year, the percentage of those with disabilities and considered economically disadvantaged has increased. (I would be interested in how others read these 03-04 and 08-09 side by side numbers.)

The percentage of Lakewood teachers with Master's degrees is relatively high (this may be due in part to mandatory state standards as to how district’s teach students with learning disabilities – adding to the per pupil cost).

Regarding per pupil expenditures, I feel it’s terribly difficult to compare one district to another on this basis and conclude that one is more efficient/effective than the other. It’s hard to find two districts that are similar in customer/student profiles. However, Cleveland Heights, I feel may offer a comparison. (I provided a few more as well.)

Lakewood 2008-09: Enrollment-5,605; economically disadvantaged-49.7%; limited English proficient-8.1%; learning disabled in some form-15.7%; per pupil expenditure-$12,714; Ohio rating-Excellent.

Cleveland Hts. 2008-09: Enrollment-5,952; economically disadvantaged-57.2%; limited English proficient-1.0%; learning disabled in some form-18.0%; per pupil expenditure-$16,037; Ohio rating-Continuous Improvement.

Westlake 2008-09: Enrollment-3,790; economically disadvantaged-10.6%; limited English proficient-1.9%; learning disabled in some form-16.7%; per pupil expenditure-$12,538; Ohio rating-Excellent with Distinction.

Shaker Hts. 2008-09: Enrollment-5,387; economically disadvantaged-27.2%; limited English proficient-2.7%; learning disabled in some form-14.3%; per pupil expenditure-$16,194; Ohio rating-Effective.

Solon 2008-09: Enrollment-5,188; economically disadvantaged-6.8%; limited English proficient-2.7%; learning disabled in some form-9.6%; per pupil expenditure-$12,557; Ohio rating-Excellent with Distinction.

I've tried to do my homework on this issue but it may not be complete.


"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

[Jerry Ritcey]

t I think nothing is more important for property values than good schools. I'll vote for levys so long as no one tries to teach kids that dinosaurs and people were around at the same time. If they start gutting the education system, that's my queue to move. And fyi, I don't have kids, unless you count our two cats who are technically being home schooled

[Tim Liston]

Enrollment: 2003-04 – 6,505; 2008-09 – 5,605
% with some form of learning disability: 2003-04 – 13.5%; 2008-09 – 15.7%
% considered economically disadvantaged: 2003-04 – 31.1%; 2008-09 – 49.7%
% with limited English proficient: 2003-04 – 10.1%; 2008-09 – 8.1%

So as is my inclination, let’s do a little math….

Enrollment: 2003-04 – 6,505; 2008-09 – 5,605
actual # with some form of learning disability: 2003-04 – 878; 2008-09 – 880
actual # considered economically disadvantaged: 2003-04 – 2023; 2008-09 – 2785
actual # with limited English proficient: 2003-04 – 657; 2008-09 – 454

“The percentage of those with disabilities and considered economically disadvantaged has increased.”

Yeah but the actual NUMBER of so-called LD kids has not increased at all. The number of kids who need help with English has dropped substantially. The number of kids who are considered economically disadvantaged has likewise increased, at least according to the folks who do the measuring.

Maybe someone from the Lakewood BOE can tell us about how “economically disadvantaged” students require additional expense. Are those 50% of our kids separated out and given special attention with special teachers in different classrooms or are they in the same classes as the others? (rhetorical question alert. I already know the answer and you do too.)

So the bottom line is that there does not seem to be any additional expense to our school system, given the above. But additional money is being asked for. Why is this money needed?

[Gary Rice]

There are a great many ways that having high numbers of students with economic disadvantages can increase costs in a district.

With the "No Child Left Behind" law came unfunded or under-funded mandates that local districts needed to implement for all students.

It needs to be pointed out that relatively few special needs students are served in alternative settings these days. Instead, to the maximum extent appropriate, they are educated with their regular education peers. That also applies, of course, to students with economic disadvantages.

You might also discover that there probably are more in-classroom special needs teachers (with brief pull-out services) or aides helping out, than ever before.

There are many other special services that public schools must offer these days in serving all students. Public schools must appropriately serve all who enter through their doors.

There are a significant number of types of disabilities, by the way, beyond specific learning disabilities. Many of these students require multiple services.

That Lakewood has done as well as it has with all of this, is, to me, nothing short of amazing.

It's the high level of expectations, coupled with a well-inculcated work ethic, that seems to make the difference.

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here: I volunteer with the schools as a retired teacher from another district. I know what goes on in our buildings. I can say without reservation, that Lakewood Schools are among the finest schools I've ever seen.

[Stephen Eisel]

I'll vote for the levy as long as you promise never to buy textbooks from Texas...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1253

You must be a science fiction lover

[Stephen Eisel]

I am supporting Issue 6..

[Charlie Page]

Why is this money needed?

This site will give you information on why the levy needs to pass.
http://www.LakewoodsChildren.com

Site is paid for by Citizens for Lakewood's Children, a ballot issue PAC dedicated to support of the City of Lakewood schools operating levy and bond issues. There is also a link if you wish to donate to help get the message out to vote yes on issue 6.