Statement on Superintendent's Recommendation

Lakewood City Schools' superintendent recommended last night that Lincoln Elementary be closed and repurposed into a standalone Pre-K building, and that our neighborhood Pre-K classes be consolidated into one building, among many other potential changes (read the recommendation here).  

We are deeply concerned about the superintendent’s drastic recommendation, as well as the process that led us to this point.  Lakewood’s school board could have spent the last year and a half leading a community process that began with meaningful engagement with not just parents of current students, but with the broader community. 

Instead, the school district leadership has chosen a different path, and is clearly forcing a pre-determined decision on the community which has decisively supported the schools for decades – and blatantly ignoring Ohio Sunshine Laws along the way.  Furthermore, the recommendation isn’t supported by the school district’s own data.  

Lakewood’s school board is on the cusp of making a massive decision without a long-term strategic plan – something state law requires.  The superintendent’s recommendation is a reactionary move, not part of a thoughtful vision for Lakewood’s future that the community can buy into.

Lakewood residents – and current and future Lakewood students – deserve better from our superintendent and our school board.  

Read ideastream’s article on last night’s meeting.

But it’s not over yet.  The next step is that on October 20, Lakewood's school board will vote for or against the superintendent's recommendation at its meeting.  

We're hearing from many of you who are rightfully angry about this recommendation.  

Here are three action steps you can take now and in the coming days as we await the school board's final decision:

1. Contact the school board members and urge them to vote against this recommendation on October 20.

2. Learn about the candidates who are running for school board, make a plan to vote for change, and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same (school board candidates Katie Slife Rustad and Monica Bruaw have promised that they would work to reverse any decision to close and repurpose a school, and to increase transparency, community engagement and trust between the school board and the community).  Hear from all of the candidates here. Make a plan to vote on/by November 4 - more information here!

3. Donate to Preserve Lakewood Schools' work to promote and support the campaigns of Katie Slife Rustad and Monica Bruaw.  Donate Here.

In Partnership,

Preserve Lakewood Schools