School Board notes: Patterson in, ABLE program moved?

[Betsy Voinovich]

I went to the School Board meeting tonight to see Jeff Patterson get voted in as the new Superintendent of Lakewood schools. He will take over in the summer, though it sounds like he and Dr. Madak and Mark Gleichauff (Director of Teaching and Learning, and Grant's former principal) and the Board will all be working closely until then.

I just did an interview with Mr. Patterson about programming in the schools for today's Observer and liked him so much and was so encouraged by his vision of how the community and district could interact, that I wanted to see what would be said tonight by the school board members and Mr. Patterson himself. He gave a speech completely focused on education, parents, community and children, that was very promising. I recorded it on my phone, I will transcribe it tomorrow.

The Athletic/Rec Department made a presentation about how much the athletics programs value the academic abilities and growth of their athletes, and did an exhaustive run-down of the GPAs of students involved in every sport in Lakewood schools. I didn't realize that Lakewood High School offered gymnatics, hockey, tennis, and was happy to hear that our athletes maintain relatively high grade point averages.

Then Mark Gleichauff stood to announce that the District would be moving toward a "national curriculum" that is cutting edge and has Lakewood teachers and administrators already getting prepared.

Finally, during the Communication portion of the meeting, School Board Member Ed Favre made a strong request that the Adult Education program, ABLE, that is currently housed at Emerson Elementary be either moved, or conducted at a time when elementary school children are not on the same site. There was an incident outside the school last week that had everyone taking a second look at the wisdom of putting two such different populations together. I stood up to chime in from the parents angle to let the Board know that I thought it was a very good idea to move the program, and to tell them that most parents didn't even know that program was being held in that building at the same time as elementary school was in session. Dr. Madak said that the administration was in the process of getting it done.

I haven't been to a Board meeting in a while. This one was really gratifying. A lot of good things going on, a lot of moves towards accountability and transparency, and a lot of looking forward into a bright future.

If you haven't been to a school board meeting in a while, or you've never been to one, now's the time. The more they know that parents and the community are interested and that we care and that we are paying attention, the better job they will do, and I was pleased at the good job they were doing tonight. (Just thought I should say that when I can.)

Betsy Voinovich

[Jim O'Bryan]

Betsy

Nice wrap up on the meeting last night. I appreciate your words because I know how
involved you are with the schools here and in other cities where we have Observers, and
have used that to build a good relationship all the way to the state level. Thanks


This is a photo from our files that show the sign and the entrance to the GED/ABLE
program at Emerson that the school board is moving, possible to Lakewood Academy.
There is even some talk behind the scenes to rethink the entire program

The fact is this program never should have been here, and when I heard two weeks ago
it was done to save money, I started to really wonder about how this happened.

The good news is no real problems and the Board is moving or taking the program apart.
Which will leave the question how do we educate those that have arrived in Lakewood
needing educations and a second chance at life. OR does the city of Lakewood owe them
that second chance? I am as liberal as the next, but there is a point in time when a city
has to look at the bottom line, the direction they are headed, and say we have been
getting things wrong for too long now.

FWIW

[jennifer scott]

Thanks Betsy and Jim...

As a parent of a child that attends Emerson I must admit that I am very upset that the ABLE classes are in session the same time as my daughter is in school. I seriously had NO IDEA ( shame on me for not doing my homework better I suppose ) My vote is to MOVE them out of there.....and the sooner the better. We love Emerson, my daughter is thriving there however...this could be a deal breaker for next year.

I am certainly not saying we get rid of the program entirely but, why are we mixing the two??? Like Jim said, why are doing this program in the first place? What is the success rate???I was unable to attend the meeting last night but, will certainly prioritize them in the future.

On another note, the front of the school and the front steps were a solid sheet of ice yesterday at pick-up time. Many parents were complaining...impossible for any parent with a stroller, too icy to carry a young child and still maintain balance, lots of older grandparents do pick up....the whole situation was a dangerous mess. I know we can't control Mother Nature and we are having trouble getting our neighbors to keep the walks clean but, the schools?

I think we can and need to do better.

[Meg Ostrowski]

Channels 5 & 19 were there too. I was surprised at their level of interest in our changing of the guards but found out later they were there expecting to hear more about Lakewood City Schools Address Verification Program. Treasurer, Rick Berdine responded to their questions.

Here are the links;

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_ ... new-leader

http://www.woio.com/Global/story.asp?S=14080684

[Valerie Molinski]

My daughter goes there. I love Emerson, both the school itself, the teachers, and the families whose kids attend along with mine.

I knew the programs were held there, but I did not realize they were at the same time as the students had class in session. May I ask what the incident was that happened? I did not hear about this.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

I understand how parents feel about having their kids exposed to adults they are unfamiliar with during the day at school, but I am very familiar with the ABLE/ESOL program and I thought that it would be good to clarify for people what the ABLE program is and how essential this program is to our community. Decisions, like the one to operate during the day in an elementary school, can be reversed. However, I don’t want the actions of a few “bad” adults in the program to taint the program or vilify the adults who are good citizens raising their families in Lakewood while working really hard to better their lives.

As long as I can remember, we have had ABLE/EDOL housed in our schools. I don’t know all of the history of the program in Lakewood (the long-time director would know), but I know that it has been here for over 20 years, probably longer. Before we rebuilt Harrison Elementary School it was housed in the basement (not sure for how long or where it was before that). I don’t know if any issues ever came up with daytime classes being held while elementary kids attended school. I believe that during/after construction the program was moved to Grace Lutheran. I wasn’t aware that part of the program moved to Emerson Elementary.

Many cities have an ABLE/ESOL program. It is funded with state and federal dollars. Lakewood Schools provides space, security, access to equipment (copier), etc. The program in Lakewood is free and registration falls to the Lakewood Recreation Department. You can check out the class schedule by visiting http://www.lakewoodrecreation.com/user/files/GED%202011.pdf.

As someone with a passion for education in all of its forms and dedicated to helping people who are out of work (Job Seekers Workshops with the Lakewood Family Collaborative and Tri-C) I feel strongly about this program and believe that it is essential to our community. I have worked with many adults who worked really hard to get their GED to better their pay or to get a job. From young kids who lost their way, to single moms and middle-aged men, this program offers them a chance at being able to improve their quality of life. ESOL classes help our new immigrants learn English and offer them opportunities to learn about American culture and how to be successful in our community. Lakewood has one of the highest populations of non-English speaking people in the State of Ohio. Educating Adults isn’t easy. Adults have more demands than when they were younger and so they really have to be dedicated and work hard to get their GED. Yet, it is so worth it to provide an education to them so that they can be, and feel good about being, active contributors in the community.

I think this problem can be solved, and from Betsy’s post, it sounds like the administrators and school board are going to look at this from every angle and make a solid decision. I don’t think the answer is to do away with a program that has a proven record of success in our community. ABLE/ESOL , especially in an economic downturn, is a program worth keeping and supporting. I know I would much rather have the people in our community to have a high school education or GED so that they can work and be successful—that makes for better neighbors. Let’s be sure that the hard-working students who deserve to have access to ABLE/ESOL classes are recognized. We can deal with location issues, perhaps institute better screening of students, and create building policies that are enforced.

Thanks for attending the school board meeting Betsy and posting a report.

[Mike Zannoni]

The fact is this program never should have been here

Do you mean The City of Lakewood or Emerson Elementary?

. . . the Board is moving or taking the program apart. Which will leave the question how do we educate those that have arrived in Lakewood needing educations and a second chance at life. OR does the city of Lakewood owe them that second chance? I am as liberal as the next, but there is a point in time when a city has to look at the bottom line, the direction they are headed, and say we have been getting things wrong for too long now.

I hope their not "taking the program apart", as I agree with Christine as to the overall value of adult education. Someone very close to me starts orientation at ABLE on Feb 28th, as it's the only Program nearby. Many people in Lakewood could use their GED and/or help with English as a 2nd language. And if we're paying taxes for this, why don't we deserve back a program that benefits those among us who need these services?

WE don't owe THEM this program? Maybe some of US who live here, shop here and pay taxes here want and need this program. You sound a little like people who need this sort of thing just shouldn't be here. Why do you imply that all those needing it have "arrived in Lakewood", as if it's not thinkable that a born-and-bred Lakewoodite could find themselves needing a public GED program? People have their different stories, even some growing up here in Lakewood, about how and why they missed the "normal" time for a complete high school education, and why they don't have the means to pay for a private program somewhere. I think you're showing your bias here.

Do we "owe" kids a public education? Why? And why only kids??

This is not at all to say that it has to be at an elementary school during school hours. My friend will be taking the night course (5:30 PM start), currently at Emerson. I for one certainly hope it continues to exist somewhere in Lakewood.

[Bill Trentel]

I was a member of the city's architectural board of review during the planning and design of the rebuilding of Emerson. The housing of the adult education programs at Emerson was part of the plan from day one of my involvement, that goes back about five years at least and the building has been up and running for almost three years, I find it hard to believe that it (the adult programs) being there is a surprise to anyone.
My recollection of the final plans was that the area that housed the adult learners, including the entrance was totally segregated from the areas used by the elementary school. I can't say that that is what exists today on the ground but the building was designed for the two to co-exist.
I these adult programs are very important to our community. These are our neighbors, our children's classmates parents and fellow citizens all trying to improve themselves. Contrary to what some believe, we can't take Lakewood back to a time that NEVER was.

Bill

[jennifer scott]

Hi Bill,

Just curious, did you grow up here? When you mention a Lakewood that never was I wonder about how long you have been here. I don't feel any comments in this thread have been about taking us "back" but about moving forward in a a way that is satisfactory to all involved. I am sure there is a compromise here somewhere, I just think that knowing what happened a while back and having a child at Emerson...my child's safety and well being are my first priority.

[Bill Trentel]

Hi Bill,

Just curious, did you grow up here? When you mention a Lakewood that never was I wonder about how long you have been here. I don't feel any comments in this thread have been about taking us "back" but about moving forward in a a way that is satisfactory to all involved. I am sure there is a compromise here somewhere, I just think that knowing what happened a while back and having a child at Emerson...my child's safety and well being are my first priority.

Pretty much my entire life 47 yrs. in a few weeks.
While I understand your concern as a parent, I'm one too. My point is that the rebuilt Emerson was planned and built to house both the elementary school and the adult ed. program. If NIMBY is the over riding determinator of where to house the adult ed. programs where should it be housed...back up in Birdtown?
My point about the Lakewood that NEVER was is that many romanticize the Lakewood of old, when we had no renters, no foreign people, single parent families... The reality is we've been a diverse community for a long-time, a large percentage of renters, new or resent immigrants, families facing challenges...

Bill

[jennifer scott]

Bill, we grew up together. The Bird Town of my youth was full of wonderful immigrants. People who took pride in their homes, swept their sidewalks, washed their windows. I used to love going through Birdtown because I was always so impressed that people with so little( I was a kid thinking this ) could be so proud. I had a rental next door to me growing up...lots of doubles on my street as a matter of fact.I never thought a thing about it. My very best friend was a "renter" Her parents and my parents were great friends....still are 40 years later. It was different then....of course it was. Life has changed a lot since then. I think the issue here is , correct me if I am wrong.....enabling.

Why is someone in the ABLE program doing a robbery outside the school grounds during school hours when our children are on the playground?? Sorry....I have no recall of any such thing happening as a kid growing up in Lakewood.
I have zero tolerance for this as well as bullying and discrimination. I don't know what the solution is...I just know that I won't stand for this.
Another issue here is age. Why did the school board feel it is ok to put troubled teenagers in with K-5. yea, I get the seperate entrance thing but...seriously, we would never consider putting Lakewood High and any elementary school together!

[Bill Trentel]

Jennifer I think you need to get out and experience all of our neighborhoods, just like in the good old days most of us are good citizens just trying to raise our families, improve our lifestyles and get along. Some of our skin colors, languages and cultures my have changed from those days but our goals remain the same.
If you feel that offering programs to fellow citizens to help them achieve is "enabling", I'm sorry.
I'm not fully aware of details of the particular incident, but you mention that it was not on school grounds, If this is the case how did the programs location play a role in the incident. One bad character looking to do bad act, did location make a difference? If the incident would have occurred on Detroit Ave. would there still be a call to move the program? Will relocating the program steer any possible future bad characters to somewhere where it would be more acceptable to attempt their bad act? My parents neighborhood, your parents neighborhood, Mr. O'Bryan's neighborhood?

Bill

[jennifer scott]

Bill,


I said "outside of school grounds" meaning the incident was not inside the building.
Please do not tell me what I need or don't need to experience when you know nothing about me.
I am just saying that putting 18 plus age group with K-5th grade every day ...especially with the background that some, not all, of these individuals come from makes me and many others very concerned. I think that placing this group at Emerson during regular school hours is a vry BAD idea. I am not saying it is a bad program...I, at this point, do not know enough about it to say anything of the sort. I can only say that I do not want this program at my daughter's school during regular school hours.

[jennifer scott]

Bill,

Look at the start of this thread...Ed Favre thinks it is a good idea to move the program. Ed is a school board member and a policeman. Ever wonder why he thinks it should be moved? Hmmmm....
Perhaps he should get out and "experience" the neighborhoods.

[Bryan Schwegler]

Didn't Ed also think it was a good idea to close Grant and secretively run the Phase III process without feeling the need to answer to the public?

I don't know enough about the ABLE program to say one way or the other whether it should be moved, but I do know enough to know that I would never, ever take the recommendation of most of our schoolboard members on face value at this point. The exception is Matt Markling who is the only one who not only attempts to engage with the public, but remembers that he works for us.