The Observation Deck

http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/ ... n_may.html

Board member Linda Beebe said she favored keeping Lincoln open, but hoped the district would keep the Grant building as a base for the recreation department and possibly as a community recreation center. “I said Lakewood doesn’t have space to build a recreation center,” she said. “Actually, we could easily have one in Grant school.”

Is this a joke? Is this a real reason to close down a school? Who would pay for something like this? How do you think the YMCA will feel about it?

This board is asking for a 6.9 mill levy and they are throwing around ideas like this?

I am thinking that the "old guard" board is just desperate to find a "reason" to shut down Grant. I have no idea why else such concepts like this and terms like "economic development" keep getting thrown around by them. I am beginning to think that the 3 of them are trying to fulfill some other agenda and really don't care about the consequences to the community because their "service" to the community is all but done. (wow could I have used "" more often in that paragraph )

I am all for public debate and people having other views, but lets make decisions based on facts and real consequences not some fairy tale wish list of things to come.

What is the REAL reason Linda, Ed and probably Betsy have for keeping Lincoln open. I have yet to hear it.

*Disclaimer - This coming from a Lincoln parent

If we have the money to build a Rec. Center, then we have the money to continue to operate all 7 elementary schools.

The last BOE meeting is now being aired on Channel 74. I encourage all of the members of the Deck to tune in and try to de-code Mrs. Beebe's comments and other BOE member comments for themselves.

The meeting will be airing:

M, W, F at 9am, 12pm, 5pm, 10pm

S, and Sun. at 11am, 5pm, 9pm

Where is the rec. department currently based?

Had a chance to watch the latest broadcast of the 2/1/10 board meeting. Here is what I got out of it:

Favre: Still waffling on the issue when it comes to public comment. A dazzling display of doublespeak. Believes change has been and will continue to be a constant for Lakewood.

Kamkutis: Pretty much agreed with Ed Favre or something along those line. If he had any conviction on the subject- I missed it.

Beebe: Had the brass to show some of her cards. As of now she is leaning towards keeping Lincoln open. A very confusing summation of why she was leaning towards keeping Lincoln School.... Had some very weird comments about Grant School being turned into a recreation center. Say what?$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (I think she might have been thinking years from now-when it comes to the Grant Recreation Center) Could very well change her mind and vote to keep Grant School.

Markling: A convincing performance by Matt Markling. Clear and concise thoughts/insights that made for a convincing case for keeping Grant School open. I really didn't hear one board member rebuff his views or conclusions. Closing Grant and we are destroying a neighborhood that serves many. I have NO doubt that he believes keeping Grant is the right choice. ( Had some very interesting comments about the Phase 3 process)

Schaughnessy: Change is a constant for our city


I thought Matt Markling kicked some major league butt at this meeting. If it was a bench trial...his argument would have won hands down.

I was at the meeting in question and my jaw dropped when Mrs. Beebe made the statement about the rec center. My question is if we have money to have a rec center then do we have the money to keep all 7 schools open? Also the mention of a rec center at the same time they are coming to the voters to ask for an operational levy seems irresponsible.

*disclaimer (a la Salo): While my children do currently attend Grant we moved this school year within the Horace Mann area and the decision on which school to close will not personally affect my family.

I like the sounds of a rec. center, wherever it may be. I love Rocky River's indoor/outdoor swimming pool facility and rec center but I would rather keep my $ in Lakewood. Rocky River's facility is great but it costs me $ each time.

Is there ideas/talks of a similar style pool and/or facility?

Corey

And this couldn't be done at McKinley because.. . .?

I'm still curious as to why in 2010 I'm forced to subscribe to Cox Cable if I want to watch Lakewood School Board or City Council meetings? Why not put them up on the web?

Bryan Schwegler wrote:I'm still curious as to why in 2010 I'm forced to subscribe to Cox Cable if I want to watch Lakewood School Board or City Council meetings? Why not put them up on the web?

Maybe they dont want folks to easily see what they are up to? Or to be able to ask timely informed, knowledgable questions?......naw......

Bryan Schwegler wrote:I'm still curious as to why in 2010 I'm forced to subscribe to Cox Cable if I want to watch Lakewood School Board or City Council meetings? Why not put them up on the web?

Bryan,

I have been asking the Administration and Board to immediately post all school board meetings, unedited, on our school district website since I first took office in January of 2008.

Matt

Bryan Schwegler wrote:I'm still curious as to why in 2010 I'm forced to subscribe to Cox Cable if I want to watch Lakewood School Board or City Council meetings? Why not put them up on the web?

The podcast is available online. I do agree though, I do not have cox and would like to be able to see the meetings that I cannot attend, if they can post a podcast, they can post a video link.

feed://podcasting.schoolpointesites.com/Channel/Feed/86

I'm still curious as to why in 2010 I'm forced to subscribe to Cox Cable if I want to watch Lakewood School Board or City Council meetings? Why not put them up on the web?

Anyone know if I can see the broadcast if I have DirectTV?

Maybe they dont want folks to easily see what they are up to? Or to be able to ask timely informed, knowledgable questions?......naw.

They just edit out things that they think may make them look "bad" anyway.

I have been asking the Administration and Board to immediately post all school board meetings, unedited, on our school district website since I first took office in January of 2008.

So, true. And citizens have been asking for alternatives to view the meetings when Chas Geiger was still a Board member--now over a year ago.

Kristine Pagsuyoin wrote:If we have the money to build a Rec. Center, then we have the money to continue to operate all 7 elementary schools.

The last BOE meeting is now being aired on Channel 74. I encourage all of the members of the Deck to tune in and try to de-code Mrs. Beebe's comments and other BOE member comments for themselves.

The YMCA is Lakewood's rec center.

I think it is important to point out that the State of Ohio is demanding Lakewood close one of its elementary schools. One school has to close and no matter what the decision someone will be unhappy.

I heard a rumor that the Grant site could be used as a soccer field. That's a bad idea.

The school board missed out on a great opportunity at Garfield. For what they spent on preserving the old brick they could have bought all the property to City Hall, built a new soccer field and put the parking off to the side of Garfield instead of the front.

Bill Call wrote:I think it is important to point out that the State of Ohio is demanding Lakewood close one of its elementary schools.

From what I understand, it's not the state forcing the closure, the state simply said they'll only match money for 6 schools, not 7. If the people of Lakewood really wanted to keep the school, they'd just need to pay for it themselves. I'm not even so sure the state has the authority to dictate to a city that it must close a school.

I think it is important to point out that the State of Ohio is demanding Lakewood close one of its elementary schools.

The State is not demanding we close a school...as was just posted. But, that Lakewood fund the rebuilding of the third building. The Phase III committee did the numbers and it would cost someone with a home valued at $100,000 per year less than $20.00 per month to build a school.

Much as changed in the last year since the State, due to declining enrollment, said they wouldn't fund all 3 remaining elementary schools. Our schools are almost full now with 7 elementary schools still operating. This decision will have a huge impact on our community. We should re-evaluate this issue. There may be those out there that say that the community forum held on April 1st determined the final plan to close a choose school; however, I'd like to make the point again that much has changed. We now have all day kindergarten and our numbers are up for those kids just entering school. Harrison, Emerson, Grant, and Lincoln are full. The others, except for maybe Roosevelt, are close to being full--last time I checked.

100 people attended the Community forum to decide if we should close a school or pay for it ourselves. Out of those, most served on the Phase III Committee. There could be an argument made about this Forum truly representing the views of most Lakewood citizens. Yet, In the report given the the BOE in October Phase III stuck with the Community Forum outcome. I am not sure if the cost of just keeping a third school really outweighs the cost to this city by closing a vibrant neighborhood school.

Again, much has changed since April 2009.