School Board Member Matthew John Markling

As the newest member of the Lakewood City School District Board of Education, I am indeed honored by the trust bestowed upon me by the Citizens of Lakewood. I was elected on the promise that I will work to improve academic excellence, school safety, and leadership throughout the Lakewood City Schools. I will keep that promise without excuse or reservation.

I promise to promote academic excellence by demanding that all initiatives relate to improving academic excellence among all students. And the time is now for the Lakewood City Schools to: (1) immediately move toward “projects,” “partnerships,” “studies,” and “collaborations” that are directly related to obtaining an excellent rating on state accountability standards; (2) support quality teaching and learning within the financial constraints of the District; (3) highlight Lakewood Recreation Department opportunities to all students, especially elementary and middle school students, through face-to-face orientation opportunities; (4) highlight the academic excellence currently taking place in the Lakewood City Schools by taking advantage of the media outlets we currently have; (5) highlight the academic excellence currently taking place in the Lakewood City Schools by recognizing both students and parents for their academic accomplishments on a classroom, building, and district-wide level; and (6) consider implementation of All Day Kindergarten throughout the Lakewood City Schools.

I promise to promote school safety by demanding that all initiatives relate to improving school safety for all students. And the time is now for the Lakewood City Schools to: (1) ensure that all school safety recommendations of both the High School Student Conduct and School Climate Committee and the Middle School Student Conduct and School Climate Committee continue to be implemented fully; (2) support all legal discipline decisions of the Administration; (3) support School Board Member Linda Beebe’s campaign promise to consider school uniforms; (4) ensure that the Lakewood City Schools continue to educate students on the importance of student civility and respect for authority; (5) ensure that the Lakewood City Schools continue to support DARE and School Resource Officer programming; and (6) ensure that the Lakewood City Schools work cooperatively with the Lakewood Police Department to protect the safety of staff and students.

I promise to promote leadership that inspires trust among all key stakeholders. And the time is now for the Lakewood City Schools to: (1) hold both the Superintendent and Treasurer responsible for managing the schools in accordance with the Board’s policies; (2) build public support and understanding of public education through community involvement and feedback, as well as the unedited airing of all public meetings; (3) strengthen the relationship between the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA and the Lakewood City Schools; (4) ensure that all contracts consider maximizing the use of Lakewood residents in accordance with the law and in the best interest of the Lakewood City Schools; (5) ensure that all phases of the Building Projects maximize the use of trade union-shops in the best interest of the Lakewood City Schools; (6) ensure that meetings are always conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Laws; (7) ensure that public records are always maintained and provided in accordance with the Ohio Sunshine Laws including sharing board meeting material with the public during school board meetings; (8) ensure full compliance with the Ohio Ethics Laws; and (9) ensure that the Board is effectively utilizing legal counsel in the best interest of the Board and the Lakewood City Schools.

Fortunately there will be much assistance in keeping the promises. The Lakewood City Schools has dedicated parents and excellent teachers and staff members, as well as seasoned school board members and administrators. Most importantly, the Lakewood City Schools has the support of the Citizens of Lakewood.

It’s Lakewood’s Time! – So let’s get to work at keeping the promise of improving academic excellence, school safety, and leadership throughout the Lakewood City Schools.