Can't Attend A Community Meeting? You Can Still Have Your Input

Superintendent Jeffrey W. Patterson is nearly halfway through his round of Community Engagement Meetings that address the future of the district and the need to make significant expenditure reductions in the next two years. With four more meetings to go so there are still plenty of chances to attend one. The conversation has been lively, polite and interesting at each of the meetings. Residents have been freely sharing their thoughts with Patterson and he has been listening intently.

Although many options remain to attend a meeting, including one more that will have child care available (Feb. 29 at Harrison, call 529-4074 to reserve space), the Superintendent understands that not everyone can make an evening meeting. He wants to make sure that everyone has a chance to give their input and although it’s best to attend a meeting to hear the context of what the district is facing regarding its finances, he knows that is not always possible.

If you would like to have your voice heard and cannot attend a meeting, please feel free to send your responses to the questions below via email to jeff.patterson@lakewood.k12.oh.us or snail mail to Jeffrey W. Patterson, Superintendent, 1470 Warren Road, Lakewood OH 44107.

Question #1: What criteria will you use to judge the wisdom of our ultimate plan to balance the Lakewood City School District’s budget?

Question #2: What district characteristics, programs and services make your school district special to you?

Question #3: As we cut the projected expenditures by $4 million, what should be the last things affected by the reductions?

Again, if you can make it to a meeting that is best. The remaining meeting dates are:

• Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m., at Roosevelt Elementary
• Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.,  at Lincoln Elementary
• Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.,  at Emerson Elementary
• Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m.,  at Harrison Elementary

At the conclusion of the meetings, Superintendent Patterson will hold one more wrap-up meeting where he will report back to the community what he has heard from across the city and what direction the administration is considering in regards to the recommendations it will make to the Board of Education in April. That meeting will take place, Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in Lakewood High’s East Cafeteria.