The Observation Deck

Last nights Lakewood Republican Organization (LRO) meeting featured a power point presentation of the financial condition of the schools. The presentation was given by Superintendent Madak with the support of Board member Matthew John Markling and Councilman Mike Summers.

Dr. Madak pointed out that due to its budget problems the State of Ohio will be REDUCING State funding for local schools. That reduction is independent of any reductions that may happen due to declining enrollment. The schools will also see lower funding because of the decline in real estate values that has affected districts nationwide.

He stated that there has been a reduction in force in administration positions, support positions and teaching positions of about 7.5% in EACH category.

There is more but the bottom line is that under the leadership of Dr. Madak and with the strong support of Matt Markling the district made the difficult decisions to make the district more efficient and effective. If there is any interest I'll post more about the finances a little later.

As usual, school board members Linda Beebe, John Kamkutus and Betsy Shaughnassy and Ed Favre were AWOL. I'll have more to say about that later even if there isn't any interest.

And as wrong minded as you usually are, this is one of the things I love about you.

You will post whether there is any interest or not. You're just a really great curmudgeon dude!

sharon kinsella wrote:You will post whether there is any interest or not. You're just a really great curmudgeon dude!

cur·mudg·eon   /kərˈmʌdʒən/ Show Spelled[ker-muhj-uhn]
–noun
a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person


Uhhhh, thanks!!?

LOOK OUT BEHIND ME--------I'M GONNA FAINT!!!!!

I can happily provide Jimmy with the artwork if there is any interest...

Posting to keep this post on top.

Lakewood is the only inner ring suburb with school system rated Excellent by the Ohio Department on Aging. This didn't happen by accident and is the result of the hard work and dedication of the staff of the Lakewood School System and the support they receive from the community. I really feel our schools are a reflection of our community. Both are excellent and and we need to work hard to keep it that way.

Vote yes on Issue 6. Bill Call is!

The PowerPoint presentation is on the levy website at
http://lakewoodschildren.org/home/learn-more/

It takes a while to load, but it is quite clear and informative.

I'm glad that Mr. Call's questions were answered.

This isn't an issue about teachers or the school board or school closings, it's an issue about ensuring a decent education for Lakewood's children.

We can shred the unions, teachers, and school board beginning on May 5th.

dl meckes wrote:We can shred the unions, teachers, and school board beginning on May 5th.

The problems I have with the conduct of the school board and the labor contracts they sign are not going to be resolved by defeating the levy.

The "cuts" made were reasonable, necessary and long overdue. If made 4years ago the system would have saved a ton of money. The leadership of Madak, Berdine and Markling were instrumental in seeing to it that these cuts made sense. The other four members of the board were AWOL as usual.

When a levy is defeated teachers unions and school boards conspire together to cut the most visible, needed and effective programs with the explanation that "It's the only thing we can do". Well, it isn't.

They can start by addressing a contract that has pages and pages devoted to limiting contact with students, limiting hours of work and nothing at all about performance.

When I asked to see the contract I meant the contract that will become effective in 2011. (The one that doesn't exist yet). Will the Gang of Four and their allies at the LTA see the passage of the levy as an opportunity to continue business as usual?

If so it will be an outrageous betrayal of the people of Lakewood.

Now there's the Bill we know and love

The highlight of this whole situation...Dr. Madak did do a great job of addressing issues. Very impressive.