Parents and Residents Communicate Growing Concerns at April 14th School Board Meeting

In a packed room at Roosevelt, Lakewood residents expressed concern over the district's plans to potentially close and repurpose Lincoln, Roosevelt, and/or Grant. The recording of the meeting can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3otnrrpjgUQ. Here is a summary of speakers from our group:

Annette Clawson, retired teacher in the Lakewood system, spoke about property values being enhanced by the proximity to our walkable elementary schools. She expressed concerns over cost of living as a retiree and depends on the appreciation of her home value to help support her. Lakewood will continue to support levies as long as we feel supported by the board that we have elected.

Monica Bruaw, mother of Grant students who described herself as a cheerleader for Lakewood schools, asked the board to work together towards a common goal “in partnership with our families and community”. Bruaw expressed concern that neurodivergent children may not all be fine with a change in schools. Voters supported the board for a construction bond for new schools by a 70% margin, bonds which we still owe on. Taxpayers are not comfortable with tax money going towards a rec center or centralized pre-k. Let’s embrace partnership. With no enrollment emergency or dire circumstances, it is only logical to keep all seven schools open.

Michael Alexander, explained how Lakewood’s homes draw so much value. It’s not the soggy basements, tiny closets, or postage stamp size lots that draw people to Lakewoood. It’s the walkability, bikeability, and public transit and the way of living via alternate modes of transportation. Alexander described the impromptu social connections that happen when we walk our children to school; this simply doesn’t happen in a car line.

Charles Greinwald spoke in support of keeping all of the seven elementary schools open. People who are currently walking will likely drive to school. And people who drive to school will be dealing with twice the car lines.

Todd Phillips, father of three young children, voiced support for keeping all seven elementary schools open. This is based on the publicly available information. The perception is that this has been mismanaged. Unfortunately, it has been difficult to support the board especially with the introduction of a series of solutions before there was a defined problem. New data points to keeping schools open. Phillips, who moved to Lakewood with knowledge of the strong school system, is concerned that the issue at large may discourage new families from moving into Lakewood. The school system is heading in an unfavorable direction.

Aren Barbee, mother of a Roosevelt student, told a heartfelt account of how her son who struggles with changes in routines will be significantly impacted by school closures or even redrawing boundary lines. Barbee’s son would be back at square one if he is separated from the social group that she worked hard to form for him. Roosevelt parents treasure the personal connections they have to the staff and how that translates to support of their kids. These roots simply can’t be passed along in a student’s record. Barbee pleaded “please don’t do this to us”.

Michelle Sikes, a Lakewood High School graduate and decorated track and cross country athlete, expressed her belief that Lakewood children thrive because their schools are close, connected, and central to their everyday lives. Sikes walked to school every day from K-5 and gained independence, time, connection, decompression, and physical movement. The school was a part of the fabric of her childhood, not a place to be driven to.  Closure of schools risks severing this kind of connection for kids, families, and neighborhoods. Walking to school is a public health benefit, environmental benefit, and social equalizer. Let’s preserve one of the core reasons that families choose Lakewood and keep our schools open.

Roger Sikes, graduate of Grant Elementary and LHS, expressed his gratitude to all public school teachers. Sikes walked to school everyday with his older sister, benefitting from the serendipitous social connections that were formed by walking. In our dense and diverse city, Sikes was able to interact with the melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities, teaching how to honor differences and build community. 

Peggy Mizen has grandchildren currently in and in the future to enter Lakewood public schools.. She said “we have a neighborhood because of our neighborhood school”. For the older people who don’t have children directly in the school system, this connection will be lost. Peggy suggests reconfiguring boundary lines for 3-5 years and then reconsider the repurposing/closure issue. Mizen expressed concerns about the future levy being sold to the majority of the community. What students are coming down the road? Many young families are here in Lakewood - don’t move too quickly.

Alison Gaul, a mother of Rangers and public school teacher in Euclid, is familiar with district-level changes.  She focused on the concept of trust and how it is being eroded between the community and the district’s leadership - which now threatens to extend to the school board. At early community meetings, outdated and unclear information has been shared. Public sentiments from the district have taken on a troublesome “us vs. them” mentality and she urged the leadership to take a stand. There is an overwhelming public support for keeping all seven public elementary schools open and if we aren’t listened to, trust will eventually break and that trickles down to teachers and family relationships. Please rebuild trust by obtaining meaningful engagement from our community or we will face real consequences.

Amy Ciepiel said that the decision to close or consolidate schools is inconsistent to the culture and lifestyles of the Lakewood community. In fact, it is what draws many new residents to Lakewood. The plan is out of touch and has no sense of the value of community connection that comes from walking our children to school. This cannot be measured in dollars but is Lakewood’s biggest value. The plan seems to shift financial and logistical burden onto families. She encouraged the board of education to adopt the vision of a Lakewood graduate values of: collaboration, growth mindset, and empathy.

John Maroli lives near Roosevelt elementary with his two young toddlers. He stressed the importance of pedestrian safety and mentioned that if Roosevelt closed, the area would be enclosed by Madison, Bunts, and Warren. One student would have to cross these busy roads 2,000 times in the course of their elementary career. The chances of pedestrian collision are high when multiplied by all of the students in the district. There is no dollar value to safety. Maroli also reminded the board of the 495 new housing units planned for construction in downtown Lakewood and negated the district administration’s position that those “will not be people with kids”. In fact, these units can attract young couples to Lakewood. 

Erin Kerrigan, a graduate of Lakewood City Schools and mother of two students in the system, spoke about how special Roosevelt Elementary is. Each school has a unique fabric, community, and personality cultivated. This connection cannot be quantified and urged the board to keep these intangible benefits in consideration when making a decision.

Jeff McCourt, lawyer by trade and entrepreneur, has two children at Lincoln Elementary. He recently selected his home in Lakewood to invest in the city specifically for the schools and the newly constructed, walkable neighborhood elementary buildings. He is concerned about the plan to downsize schools and increase class sizes. He complimented the board on their accomplishments and care, but reiterated that “the process is broken”. There is a lack of strategy at the board level that mentions nothing about budgetary concerns or consolidation in the last strategic plan. Please course correct (comments cut off due to 3 minute time limit).

Lauren Wojcuich expressed concerns that the board is not seeking out broad public input. She had asked 10 parents if they knew about that day’s school board meeting to consider potential closures and 9 of them did not know about the issue. She asked for more communication, actively surveying parents at pick up, and public signage about the issue. Taxpayers deserve to be looped in and the message is not reaching the broader public.

JP Graulty, a community engagement professional and parent of young children in Lakewood, underscored the value that local schools provide to the community. Our community is passionate about support for our walkable schools that attract families to Lakewood. This is a big decision and we support the board taking the time to make it. Graulty said “nothing about us, without us” and said that the decision deserves robust and inclusive community engagement. Graulty stated, “please don’t make this decision for us, make it with us”;decisions that can be made courageously that trust in the strength of the community (not behind closed doors).

The next Board of Education meeting is on Monday, May 5th at 7:00pm at Lincoln Elementary. Please sign up to attend in support or speak your voice.