The Observation Deck

Mr. W. Charles Geiger, III, Board Of Education President has decided to step down.

Tonight, Chas Geiger announced that he is stepping down from his role of School Board President, and from his seat on the Board. Chas has served as president in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2004, and has served as chairman of each of the standing committees. He has also been an integral part of Lakewood Schools string of successful levies, and the largest building project, ever, in Lakewood Schools.

Mr. Geiger is a lifelong Lakewood resident, graduate of Lakewood High School and a graduate of Wittenberg University with a degree in Business and Economics. He is president of Geiger’s Clothing and Sports.

Mr. Geiger serves as Director of First Federal of Lakewood Savings and Loan and is a Trustee of the Lakewood Hospital Foundation and Lakewood Community Progress Inc. He is a member of the Lakewood Kiwanis Club and former member of the Lakewood Public Schools Alumni Foundation. Mr. Geiger is past chairman of the Lakewood Planning Commission, past board member of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Beck Center for the Arts.

In 1994 he received the Vocational Education of Ohio Administrator of the Year Award; in 1995 he received the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award, and in 1996 he was honored with the Person-of-the-Year award from the Lakewood Athletic Commission. In 2006, he received the Community Service Award from the Cleveland Clinic, Western Region. This year he recieved the Key For The City from Mayor Edward FitzGerald, and was the first person roasted at the Chamber of Commerce's Celebrity Roast.

He and his wife Patricia have three children. They are both members of the PTA and members of the Athletic and Music Boosters Clubs.

His last meeting will be next week.

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:

Ivor

Nice work.

Chas Geiger also leaves on top.

Mr. Geiger thank you for the time, and your effort.



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Chas,

Thanks for your years of service.

Steve

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As I mentioned in another thread, I was talking with School Board Vice President Ed Favre, about many things with protocol.

He did mention that this came as a complete shock to fellow Board members
that had believed Chas Geiger would serve the entire four years of his new term, and then consider retiring.

That the Board had spoken and was getting ready to welcome the National
Merit Club Winners, and suddenly Chas. announced his stepping down.

He wanted to make sure that this was a resignation, not a retirement, and left many Board members wondering why and for what reason.

FWIW


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CHAS GEIGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

At the December 1, 2008, meeting of the Lakewood Board of Education, veteran Board member and President, Mr. W. Charles Geiger III, announced his retirement from the Board effective December 31, 2008. During his remarks announcing his retirement, Mr. Geiger noted the significant progress made by the school district during the 2007-08 school year, including the settlement of employee labor contracts, the opening of two newly renovated elementary schools, continued progress on the Lakewood High School Phase II west wing renovation, and significant improvement in student academic achievement. Mr. Geiger also noted that the Board has set in motion the search process for a new Superintendent and was engaging in planning for the 2009-2010 school year. Mr. Geiger said, “While there is much work to do, I can say that the Lakewood Schools are strong. The Lakewood community can be proud of our many accomplishments this year. It’s all about the people involved, and the Lakewood Schools are full of dedicated and committed educational and support professionals. Likewise, our community is full of involved parents and families who provide the vital support to enhance teaching and learning in Lakewood. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to serve, and want to thank the community for its support of me and our schools over these past 22 years.

According to the Board of Education Bylaw 0145, vacancies on the Board are filled as follows:

Whenever a vacancy occurs, the Board shall fill the vacancy at its next regular or special meeting but not earlier than ten (10) days after the vacancy occurs.
The Board shall take the following steps to fill the vacancy:

A. The Board shall seek qualified and interested candidates from the community through the news media, word of mouth, and contacts with appropriate organizations.
B. All applicants are to submit a notice of their interest, in writing.
C. The Board shall interview all interested candidates to ascertain their qualifications.

Appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy shall be by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board. The newly-appointed Board member selected to fill a vacancy shall serve the shorter of the following periods:

A. until completion of the unexpired term, or
B. until the first day of January immediately following the next regular Board of Education election taking place more than ninety (90) days after a person is selected to fill the vacancy. At that election, a special election to fill the vacancy will be held. However, no such special election shall be held if the unexpired term ends on or before the first day of January immediately following that regular Board election.

The Board of Education will provide more detailed information and a timeline concerning filling the vacancy in the near future. For further information, please contact Mr. Chas Geiger at 216.233.6303.



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Jim O'Bryan wrote:He wanted to make sure that this was a resignation, not a retirement, and left many Board members wondering why and for what reason.

There is a story there somewhere.

He gave the Schools and the people of Lakewood many years of dedicated service. Overall, I think we are lucky to have the people we have representing us, as Mayor, in council and on the school board.

Bill Call wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:He wanted to make sure that this was a resignation, not a retirement, and left many Board members wondering why and for what reason.

There is a story there somewhere.

He gave the Schools and the people of Lakewood many years of dedicated service. Overall, I think we are lucky to have the people we have representing us, as Mayor, in council and on the school board.

Whoa. something positive!?

Bill...are you feeling ok today?



I couldn't agree more.

Bill Call wrote:He gave the Schools and the people of Lakewood many years of dedicated service. Overall, I think we are lucky to have the people we have representing us, as Mayor, in council and on the school board.

Bill,

Thank you for your positive comments. I agree.


Steve


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Chas,

I think my dad wants to know whether you are going to go back to your trumpet lessons?

Thanks for your service on behalf of the LAkewood City School District!

Gary, with Robert Rice

Augggghhhh! Where's that edit button?

Those were supposed to be smiley faces above!

Jim? Jim? JIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill Call wrote: There is a story there somewhere.

Bill

Maybe, maybe not.

It would seem that Chas has thought about it longer and harder, than most realize.

Where the Board was shocked, Chaz saw it as a retirement.

While speaking with him today, he did realize, as I think was said last night. He sees it as a retirement, as he is not fulfilling his full term, resignation is
more of a proper term.

FWIW


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Chas Geiger's retirement brings an end to a unique family involvement in the life of Lakewood's schools.

His Dad's name is on my diploma as an LHS grad.

Chas and brother Gordon and the whole family have been stalwarts of Lakewood civic life.

Past Lakewood generations and future generations will be the beneficiaries of the Geiger family's service to our town.

Stan Austin

Chas Geiger’s resignation came as a complete shock to all school board members. While I am saddened by his resignation, I am grateful for the many years of service Chas has given to the Lakewood City Schools. And I join everyone in wishing Chas the best of luck!

I'd also like to thank Mr. Geiger for his time and dedication to the Lakewood Schools and I wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.

Chas Geiger is to be thanked and commended for his years of service to Lakewood. Being on the School Board demands many hours of time and effort and Chas gave of himself for 22 years. I think that is huge and we all should be grateful.

To fill the vacancy, we will be following the process as outlined in Board Policy and Bylaws and the Ohio Revised Code. That process will be announced shortly.