Petrie-Barcelona Announces Re-Election Bid For School Board

I am pleased to announce that I am running for re-election to the Lakewood School Board. My experience over the past four years, most recently as Board president, has deepened my understanding of the complex issues facing the Lakewood City Schools. I have become well versed in the intricacies of the school construction projects and state policy on testing, budgets, and evaluation. While there is so much in the schools to celebrate and have pride in, we have more work to do, work that requires stable and qualified leadership. I would appreciate your support in my continuing service to our school district.

I ran and am running for School Board again because my resourcefulness, passion, and range of experience combine for a fresh approach in serving the students and community. As a proud graduate of the Lakewood High School class of 1995, I am pleased that we maintain traditions that we hold dear while innovating and finding new ways to positively impact the students and community. My education (bachelors and masters degrees) in economics and public policy and career in non-profit management and compliance add value to Board decisions. Having experience with issues relating to taxes, impacts on low- and moderate-income households, community development and compliance are a sound basis for understanding education policy and the public schools in Lakewood.

We have had a number of major successes over the past few years such as the passage of the bond issue to complete the reconstruction of three elementary schools and the rest of the high school- thank you Lakewood citizens for that support! We went out to the bond market for the construction bonds and refinancing of other debt and received very high ratings from the ratings agencies, almost unheard of in the industrial Midwest. Borrowing and refinancing debt at lower interest rates resulted in refunds to the taxpayers. Last year, the district and all three bargaining groups in the district completed successful negotiations, resulting in 4-year stable contract agreements with all groups. Late last year, it was announced that Superintendant Jeff Patterson was Ohio’s Superintendant of the Year. Additionally, we have had talented and thriving students constantly recognized for their civic contributions and academic, artistic, and athletic performance. Alongside the educators who guide and teach them in countless ways, we have many people in the district who are great models of achievement.

Why do I want to continue to serve the community on the Board? We are in the midst of a complex construction project, unprecedented in Lakewood in scale and scope. The district must constantly readjust to state and federal policy and requirements. In the past we could anticipate policy overhaul every few years, but changes happen with much more frequency now, creating challenges and uncertainly for our administrators, teachers, and families. Stable leadership on the Board, especially one that works well together and with the schools, is important in maintaining stability in the district.

In addition to serving on the Board, I am a full-time working parent of two students in Lakewood schools (currently in a transition space). My husband is glad to be part of the Lakewood community, though he was not raised here. Given the time and energy that serving the Board well requires, I am thankful that I have a supportive family who appreciates my commitment to the community.

I have received a number of endorsements and support from many Lakewoodites and I am very grateful for their support. Please contact me or visit my Facebook page “Emma for School Board” for more information about my campaign. I respectfully ask for your vote for re-election on November 3rd so I can continue contributing toward stable, experienced, and well-functioning leadership for the Lakewood City Schools.