Lakewood's Jeffery Patterson Ohio Superintendent Of The Year!
Lakewood City Schools Superintendent Jeffrey W. Patterson has been selected as the 2015 Ohio Superintendent of the Year by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators for his leadership of the 5,500-student district.
“I am honored and humbled. This award speaks volumes about the accomplishments of our students, the quality of our staff and the commitment from the Lakewood community and our Board of Education,” Patterson said.
Patterson became Superintendent in 2011 after serving five years as Lakewood’s Assistant Superintendent. Prior to coming to Lakewood, he served as Superintendent of the Orrville City School District for six years.
Patterson has provided effective leadership as the district passed both a bond and an operating levy in the same year with overwhelming support; increased student achievement, particularly for the district’s most at-risk students; landed in the top 2% of public school districts for yearly academic growth; and oversaw negotiations with the district’s professional unions that have helped put the district on strong financial footing.
Patterson has continued the Lakewood Schools’ legacy of engaging the community in major decisions that affect the district. He has earned a reputation of being forthright and transparent through his many community meetings. He is a member of the Lakewood community and is involved in a number of community organizations including the economic development group LakewoodAlive, the Lakewood Council of PTAs and Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation.
Patterson’s outreach to the community was crucial in the passage of a bond issue in 2013 that has allowed the district to move forward with its final phase of its Master Facilities Plan, which will include building three new elementary schools and completing a rebuild of the eastern half of Lakewood High School.
Lakewood Board of Education President Linda Beebe, who nominated Patterson, said of the Superintendent: “Mr. Patterson has orchestrated a well-organized effort to raise academic standards; he has committed to preserving Lakewood’s reputation for excellence, educational innovation, and high-quality, widely diverse curriculum, especially in arts and music. He has also led the effort to incorporate technology and the Common Core standards in the district and inspires staff to believe that they and their students can successfully make this transition. The Lakewood Board of Education celebrates and welcomes this great recognition of an exceptional leader.”
On selecting Patterson for the award, BASA Executive Director Kirk Hamilton said: “Jeff Patterson is an exceptional school superintendent and leader. His selection as Ohio’s 2015 Superintendent of the Year reflects not only his success as a leader, but also all of the wonderful things that have been achieved in the Lakewood City Schools.”
He added: “It takes a community, but it also takes an effective leader and Jeff Patterson is that leader,” Hamilton continued. “He has spent a career making a difference for students without ever seeking recognition for himself. It is fitting that his work, along with the work of the Lakewood community, is spotlighted with this award.”
With the state award, Patterson is now eligible for National Superintendent of the Year. This award will be decided at the AASA School Superintendents Association national conference in February.
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