The Observation Deck

Can anyone answer a question for me?

If the Schools are in need of money...

Why haven't we sold the schools we have decommissioned?

Before we ask the citizens of Lakewood for more money?

And I would like to add to that, why didn't we request any stimulus funding?

Rhonda/Danielle

I am sure I am not the person to answer this. Ed Favre, Matt Markling, Stephen Davis, all
understand this far better than I do. I think the stimulus was oversight, and the sale might
have to do with charter schools looking at them, would would actually be a drain on the system.

THAT SAID

We cannot hold the schools or the students responsible. The levy simply must pass. I would
hope that the levy passes as we have dedicated so much to Lakewood Schools. After that
lets go back and hold accountability sessions. Which school is closing, how it was done, why
are they empty, who screwed up with stimulus, must not stop our dedication to the schools.

FWIW


.

Jim, I agree that we cannot let the levy fail. I fully support the levies and bond issues. Our schools are our most important asset. And yes the charter school issue has been an issue for years. The district was hoping that law would be changed but of course it hasn't. And I understand the desire to hold onto the buildings until the process is done but of course a lot has changed with the economy since the process began. Heck it's possibly a moot point anyhow, would anyone truly be interested in the sites.

The stimulus issue is frustrating to me though, an awfully big and costly oversight.

I am withholding any endorsement of the school operating levy until I have a clear picture of why the schools did not apply for the stimulus money.

If someone from the schools would clear this up, it would be to their benefit, yet I have asked twice and gotten no response.

Seems like a simple question.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Rhonda/Danielle

I am sure I am not the person to answer this. Ed Favre, Matt Markling, Stephen Davis, all
understand this far better than I do. I think the stimulus was oversight, and the sale might
have to do with charter schools looking at them, would would actually be a drain on the system.

THAT SAID

We cannot hold the schools or the students responsible. The levy simply must pass. I would
hope that the levy passes as we have dedicated so much to Lakewood Schools. After that
lets go back and hold accountability sessions. Which school is closing, how it was done, why
are they empty, who screwed up with stimulus, must not stop our dedication to the schools.

FWIW


.

Gee, how many other "oversights" have there been over the years? I would bet that the availability of the stimulus money was pretty well known. The groups of people running public primary schools make a pretty tight community, everyone knows everyone. It couldn't have been that big of secret.

I think the only plan for our old school buildings must be to wait until they are in such disrepair that the only option is a wrecking ball, so that they are kept out of the hands of the evil charter school companies. It's interesting how quickly the BOE is ready to ignore the needs of the elementary students of central Lakewood right up until it's time to count their little heads in order to keep the funding coming in.

Bill

Yeah, let's hold the government accountable AFTER we give them MORE money.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Yeah, let's hold the government accountable AFTER we give them MORE money.

I'd forgotten how glad I am that you didn't get elected.

.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Yeah, let's hold the government accountable AFTER we give them MORE money.

Ryan

The point is, we have made the statement Lakewood is dedicated to education and learning
with our schools and library. It is a message that is resonating far outside of Lakewood and
has attracted people to the city, and help to keep people there. While I am not as smart as
you in many of these governement thingies I always think it is insane making "The School
Board, and Administration" responsible when they need money, as opposed during their
individual election, or even better, EVERY DAMN DAY!

We must not allow our support of the schools wain, because we have fault with board
members, programs, cuts, faux committees whatever. I say based on what has gone on
we vote this through and watch them like hawks. Not once every four years with a levy,
of wait it has been six years. We all know the government can waste money on things
not needed. But I belive Dr. Madak, when he points out...

In recent years, our community has seen the results of its commitment to education. Our academic quality has consistently improved, and now our schools are rated “Excellent” by the State. Phases I and II of our facilities improvement plan have been on-time and on-budget, giving us new, better school buildings. These achievements are the direct result of this community’s investment in education.

These accomplishments have also occurred at the same time that the district has significantly cut its budget. Between 2004 and 2009, we cut more than $5 million. In the spring of 2009, our schools cut an additional $1.3 mil and in the fall of 2009, our schools cut an additional $1.6 mil. During this same time, our schools lost $1.2 mil in property tax revenue and $1 mil in state funding.

That’s a total impact of more than $9 million in the last five years. In essence, this district has risen to a level of achievement not seen before, and done so under the most difficult fiscal circumstances.

I might not like many of the charades going on, including the lack of accountability and
transparency. But we really should not hold the kids, the schools hostage just to prove
a point, or make a statement.

This levy simply must pass.

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I might not like many of the charades going on, including the lack of accountability and
transparency. But we really should not hold the kids, the schools hostage just to prove
a point, or make a statement.

This levy simply must pass.

.

Well said Jim.

Also from a financial standpoint we need to keep our schools strong, a community that doesn't support it's schools doesn't appear very family friendly and therefore property values suffer.

Jim, Danielle,

I have trouble with this. I need to see that the Board is handling the difficult decisions they have in front of them responsibly. If the best interest of the students isn't their number one priority-- are they going to handle the money responsibly? If they aren't transparent, how do you guys know that this money will be spent correctly? Do they lay out a budget for where the funds are going? Like, this is for maintenance, this is for salaries, this is for programming, etc? (Sorry I'm so naive about this.) The Phase 3 committee hasn't been treated very respectfully. This isn't about revenge, it's about trying to be a responsible parent, citizen and taxpayer. Can you explain to me why it's so easy for you to say "vote for the levy"?

Thanks.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy Voinovich wrote:Jim, Danielle,

I have trouble with this. I need to see that the Board is handling the difficult decisions they have in front of them responsibly. If the best interest of the students isn't their number one priority-- are they going to handle the money responsibly? If they aren't transparent, how do you guys know that this money will be spent correctly? Do they lay out a budget for where the funds are going? Like, this is for maintenance, this is for salaries, this is for programming, etc? (Sorry I'm so naive about this.) The Phase 3 committee hasn't been treated very respectfully. This isn't about revenge, it's about trying to be a responsible parent, citizen and taxpayer. Can you explain to me why it's so easy for you to say "vote for the levy"?

Thanks.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy


I agree with everything you are saying.

I have a real problem, with the concept that WE have not held them accountable for
? years, and how many elections but now that they need money, we hold them to task. We must
stay committed to the schools, kids, and programs. AND commit ourselves to watching
them like hawks, afterwards.

I wrote this for the second phase of the school buildings. I still feel exactly the same way.
Some things need to be done, to carry a bigger message.

If you do not like the way the board manages, take it out on the board, not the kids
and the programs. If you feel the administrators are doing a poor job, take it out on
them not the kids and the programs.

At some point the residents of this city will have to take some responsibility for oversight.

* I have no kids in the schools, I receive no funding from the schools. I believe that good
schools are one of the cornerstones of a good city, and solid property values. One of the
reasons you give for keeping Grant is also a reason for passing this levy. Maybe you could
share the Malley's birthday party story with all.

.

My reasons are pretty much the same as Jim's reasons. While I am not happy with many of the boards decisions I cannot punish kids and if the levy doesn't pass the kids will suffer. I already hear several times a week from my oldest how the district is short money and how programs are going to be cut and I know that is true. I don't want our district to end up like so many other districts. And while giving them more money leaves a bad taste in my mouth it is the right thing to do.

Jim--

So you're saying that you do trust them to act responsibly with the money. You trust them to use it "on the kids and the programs." Or you're saying that without a certain amount of money, nothing can be done, no matter how responsible they are. It's a show of good faith.

My feeling has been that I could vote for an operating levy, but not a Bond Issue that was going to pay for doing damage to the elementary school system in this city. I could vote for a Bond Issue that was just for finishing the high school. If the State of Ohio no longer has the OSFC Phase 3 money, we might want to start the whole elementary school discussion again. Especially considering the fact that our only Excellent rated elementary schools are the ones in the old, non-renovated buildings.

Thanks.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy your logic makes perfect sense. The levy directly affects the everyday education of the kids, the bond issue not so much. Funny Kyle told me today that if the district is short money then maybe they should consider not investing money into brand new everything, it's really not that necessary.