The Observation Deck

Join Superintendent Jeff Patterson on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 pm in the LHS East Cafeteria for a district update on the bond issue in November, district finances, and the recent state report card results and other district news. A Q&A session will follow.

Christine Gordillo
PR & Communications Specialist
Lakewood City Schools

The meeting is this Wednesday. Hope to see you there!

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Last night's community meeting didn't have any big surprises--- Superintendent Jeff Patterson doesn't like them, and he knows the community doesn't either-- just a lot of information about the plan to rebuild our schools, and some explanation about the new report cards.

The meeting was well-attended for a hot summer night. Mayor Summers, Representative Antonio, 4 of the 5 school board members including the president, Ed Favre, Betsy Shaughnessy, Emma Petrie-Barcelona, and Linda Beebe.

Photos coming.

Betsy Voinovich

Superintendent Patterson started off with a slide show (power point right) about the timeline on the Phase 3 school renovation project. The only thing that was a surprise to me was that the plan is to demolish all 3 of the elementary schools, Grant, Lincoln and Roosevelt, and part of the high school at the same time. I thought that it would be staggered, but that would have the last of our schools being finished close to 2020.

So if the bond passes this fall, which would enable Lakewood Schools to have the state of Ohio pay for half of the rebuilding cost, demolition would start this coming August, 2014. Transition spaces would be worked on over the summer also and would be ready for the school year 2014, which means, and this is THE NEWS for parents at these schools, that next year, your kids will be in a different building than they are now.

There is a great effort afoot to keep schools together in one building. Though it seems that there are plenty of buildings around, many are in no shape code-wise, for kids to inhabit, or are already spoken for, like McKinley. (Which is also in no shape for kids to inhabit.)

Superintendent Patterson assured the audience that we would all be fine, we've done it before, we've learned a lot, and the community would be consulted and given a heads up every step of the way.

Many longtime parents, including me, have already been through some kind of transition. My experience was when students from Madison and Franklin came to Grant, when my first child was in Kindergarten. It was not a nightmare. Drop off and pick up was a little challenging, but Mr. Gleichauf steered the ship and all of those kids and all of those families got along fine. I realize this is not the same as your school being demolished and having to leave a location you are comfortable-- and have been for years.

The most important part of the message was that we need to pass this this fall to guarantee the support of the state. This could go on the ballot again-- one more time-- but each year is another year with Lakewood High students running across the street or wherever between classes in the winter. (Without hoodies.) Also, if we don't get it passed in a certain window of time, we get kicked off the top of the list and go back to the bottom and have to start this process all over again, along with praying that the state of Ohio keeps its act together with having the money to do this.

If you would like to help spread the message, you can become part of the team that is helping Lakewood join the 21st century with all brand new up to the minute technology schools. I'll get that info and come back with it, unless Christine or Christina is reading this right now?

Betsy Voinovich

Thanks for the summary, Betsy. Those who wish to volunteer can go to http://www.forlakewoodschools.com and see the many ways there are to help and how to contact the committee.

Christine--- none of the email links on the Endorsement website are working. I would like to be added to the endorsement list and also have a yard sign.
Stan Austin

Stan - Just checked from my Ipad and all the links work for me. Hmm. Nonetheless, will have the campaign add you to the endorsement list and provide a yard sign, which will be available in about 10 days. Please send your address to Karen Lee at kmlee@att.net. Thank you.

Betsy,

Thanks for the summary. A couple more things:

The bond issue was assigned number 84 by the Board of Elections. This high number means there are lots of issues on the ballot November 5. I just want to say that while the other issues do affect us as residents of Cuyahoga County, Issue 84 to rebuild the schools will have the greatest impact on Lakewood residents. Obviously those with kids in the schools benefit directly, but the investment in the city is important to all who call Lakewood home. New schools attract residents and help keep current residents here.

Another consideration with regard to pushing off construction should Issue 84 not pass in November is that construction costs--materials and labor--continue to rise with each year that passes. Rising costs affect what can be built with the money available. The District has been very careful in Phases I and II, with projects completed on budget as well as on time per projected timelines. I, for one hate to spend more money than is necessary on anything, and I suspect other residents will think similarly about this project.

Thanks again for the recap. VOTE FOR ISSUE 84!

Christina