The Observation Deck

I received this email this morning.
Glad they are keeping our playgrounds open.
From what I hear, all of our transitioning kids
miss their old playgrounds.

Betsy Voinovich



A message from LAKEWOOD CITY SD

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Construction plans for the third and final phase of the Lakewood City Schools’ Master Facilities Plan are moving forward and the district wanted to let you know of some developments that will affect the neighborhoods of Grant, Lincoln and Roosevelt elementary buildings.

In the beginning of October, fencing will be put up around the school properties. The playground areas will remain open until December. Once the fencing is up, no one will be allowed to enter the building area except members of the abatement, demolition and construction crews. The abatement process will begin shortly after the fencing is erected. Rest assured that this is a safe process and that every precaution is taken to assure that the asbestos removal is contained to the fenced off area.

Once the abatement is complete – anywhere from five to 15 weeks depending on the building, demolition will quickly follow. We ask for your cooperation and patience during this phase as noise and dust will be unavoidable. The construction manager will document surrounding properties with before and after photos so that if any damage is done, it will be repaired at no cost to you.

To hear more details about the entire process, you are invited to a community meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 pm in the gym of Franklin Elementary School, 13465 Franklin Blvd.

If you have any questions, you can call our Executive Director of Operations & Construction at 216-529-4326 or email him at jim.reitenbach@lakewoodcityschools.org.

Thank you,
Lakewood City Schools

Here is an update from Christine Gordillo regarding School Construction. Note the contact information and links at the bottom of this if you want more information.

If you want to comment on any of this or ask questions personally, you can attend a School Board meeting (like tonight's) and sign up to speak during the Communication period.

Betsy Voinovich



· Recently the Board of Education approved Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) packages for contracts to handle the abatement and demolition at the three elementary schools and Lakewood High School, allowing that process to now move forward.

· Fencing will be placed around the elementary schools in early October so that the abatement process may begin. The process should last anywhere from 5-15 weeks, depending on the building. Work on transition spaces is being completed before this can happen at the high school.

· Community meetings have been held at all three elementary schools recently where architect Rodwell King of GPD Group shared his ideas for preliminary floor plans and exterior design for each school. Those in attendance shared their thoughts and now King will revise his plans and re-present them at another community meeting in the future.

· Architects for Lakewood High School will present their current design plans at a community meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 pm in the high school’s L Room (entrance off Bunts Ave.).

· An additional community meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 pm in the Franklin Elementary Gym. This meeting will explain the abatement, demo and construction process for the elementary schools and allow audience members to express any concerns or ask any questions they may have.

To stay up-to-date on developments, with the project, please periodically visit our School Construction page on our web site, http://www.lakewoodcityschools.org. There you can find minutes from all the community meetings, videos of the meetings and all of the preliminary designs presented thus far.

The district appreciates all the support our community has given that has allowed us to get to this exciting point! We look forward to working together to complete the vision Lakewood put forth more than 10 years ago of providing the best learning environment for all of our students.

Christine Gordillo

Communications Coordinator

Lakewood City Schools