Way to go, Lakewood!

[Edward Favre]

You have to love this town. Our informed and thoughtful community has once again demonstrated its commitment to our youth. Unofficial results show that by a resounding 70% vote, Lakewood voters approved the bond and permanent improvement levy that will allow us to move forward and complete the rebuilding of our school district. Lakewood’s kids will benefit from teaching and learning in buildings second to none for many years to come.

And Lakewood did this despite suffering state budget cuts and responding to that challenge by passing an additional operating levy with a similar margin earlier this year. People around Ohio take notice of and respect Lakewood’s energy.

This success did not come without the hard work of many volunteers. It is difficult to adequately express our gratitude to folks, too numerous to name here, who have repeatedly stepped up. To our dedicated bond levy committee, chaired by Christina McCallum, Thank You! Thanks also to our employees, teachers, and staff and all who gave so much of their own in these campaigns.

The Board of Education, the Superintendent, and the administration recognize the financial commitment Lakewoodites have made. We understand and accept that Lakewood is entitled to our best efforts and are committed to completing this project in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. Lakewood rose to the occasion and we will execute. Grant, Lincoln, and Roosevelt Elementary school buildings will be completed as early as the fall of 2016 and Lakewood High School as early as the winter of 2017. We will work hard with our community at designing these buildings and relocating our students to temporary facilities. Then we will demolish and build, respecting our neighbors and neighborhoods as we go.

The final product will be educational facilities of the highest quality and efficiency, where outstanding teachers and staff provide all our students the best possible opportunities for success. This is what Lakewood deserves and to what we are obligated.

Thank you, Lakewood!