[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6086899,"mediaKeyId","2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84","parentId",2894023,"title","Board approves personnel items, field trip and scoreboard; several contracts cleared on first reading","audioSeconds",243,"startMs",7229000,"endMs",7472000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84&start=7229&end=7472","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84/thumbnail_7229000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086899/Ohio/Board-approves-personnel-items-field-trip-and-scoreboard-several-contracts-cleared-on-first-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086899-d193869ad1e39da56d15d8e4ca031aba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019098&Signature=o1EEE0iSAklEUU6nXJdWFy-4ZU6ytGtGynjNhPWGoFcTaE30GO0y0-Y-CHnLsDhROZwrjDlLWoRbzq6lIgGF3iT49~d7wfaMNm2xtE1sePz~Pt6LRquEMkQvh6fy5Ba3Xi81YtmTuzT8xBubAm7iIqeEjDC~oF7-4jKHmlurZI91ZY4mizSJyuH-sqa7H~6QbxERXLtIHBUw9EQS-RgC6BUXWroBQvDXGbUMHn3sVZX90VvGMuEmuy0rTl1JOX4RUtlf59Q7H7VNOM8pXc11hs7q-KdC8qGDHJrJ0uVdwIpG62Fo53lxgM-heajPNAmKv5htzhF~4EncLlVPYkzfQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakewood City School District","date","2025-04-07T22:42:58Z","article","The Lakewood Board of Education on April 7 adopted a series of routine personnel and business motions and heard first readings on multiple capital items.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded unanimous aye votes on multiple items during roll-call votes called by Treasurer Zeman (roll calls list board members with aye votes). Key approvals included:

- Certified personnel actions: The board accepted one retirement and two resignations as part of certified personnel resolutions (motion moved and seconded; roll call: Katzenberger, Shaughnessy, Clark Sutton, Callahan, Dotman — all \"aye\").

- Classified personnel actions: The board accepted one retirement and one separation of employment as presented (motion moved and seconded; roll call unanimous).

- Acceptance of commission resignation: The board accepted the resignation of Tom Zigmund from the Lakewood Community Recreation and Education Commission (motion moved and seconded; roll call unanimous).

- Extended field trip approval: The board approved an extended field trip for West Shore Career Tech Culinary to Hocking Hills, Ohio, for an FCCLA state competition scheduled for April (motion moved and seconded; roll call unanimous).

- Scoreboard contract and installation: The board approved a one-reading resolution to contract with Daktronics for a replacement baseball scoreboard and LMC Services for removal and installation at a total project cost of $42,000; the board recorded unanimous approval. The presentation noted an anonymous donor had pledged $30,000 toward the scoreboard.

- Engagement letters for legal firms: The board approved engagement letters documenting fees and billing practices for outside law firms (one-reading approval; roll call unanimous). The approvals do not obligate the board to use the firms but set terms for potential retention.

First readings / items to return for action: Several building‑site items were presented as first readings and will return to the board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Those include the FieldTurf track resurfacing proposal (total $602,719), the Perform Better weight-room renovation recommendation (Phase 1 cost $164,411) and easement agreements with the City of Lakewood and Enbridge. Administration said Squire Patton Boggs reviewed major procurement and easement documents.

Why this matters: The adopted items complete routine personnel housekeeping, advance a student travel opportunity and replace a core athletics asset with donor support. The first-read items include capital investments and easement requests that will require subsequent board action and potential coordination with the city and utility providers.

Ending: The board moved to adjourn after completing its scheduled business; most votes were unanimous and several non-urgent capital proposals will return for final action at the district's second monthly meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04-07-2025 Lakewood City Schools Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 7 meeting the Lakewood Board of Education unanimously approved personnel resignations/retirements, an extended field trip to Hocking Hills, a new scoreboard contract and engagement letters for legal firms; other capital items were presented as first readings.","taxTitle","Lakewood City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",60760,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6086904,"Board reviews easements, track surfacing and weight-room renovation proposals; donors pledged most of weight-room cost",298,3056000,3354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84&start=3056&end=3354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84/thumbnail_3056000.jpg","/articles/6086904/Ohio/Board-reviews-easements-track-surfacing-and-weight-room-renovation-proposals-donors-pledged-most-of-weight-room-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086904-efe6eac054fdcdfdd532186e8541f485/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019098&Signature=W47I7nckskhH-ZMwUFmlmkEO8kJ9p5WMZdFUdoMfcTqevzpuciI9ec4f3BzsLD29HfYXh-ShBdINoNgcSA1T2HA7oXKDcixnnQY5NCnlmz4ld30oTtyUBSlc0ANZq9reGuMAORQtieQ3rMorKfkKN7dpxsKPw08aORlh6OkkIq~euVcCI4k0Wv7w7RSnWrbmzmN8-zvB3jwtkMI~FkboC2HkggDUBNfX~6VxbXwLBPDIl0yrayVPlO6U55FK70D7arCc8~JHCbZ14~N9sXLcZ1NAR~Shp07TNfDN8mT3UQzFfZHhmu1PmxaCbFad4TeTJ1e~Jf7iprLPQNQkHHvK4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakewood Board of Education's building-sites update on April 7 outlined six items the administration is seeking board approval or first reading on, ranging from a track resurfacing contract to utility and city easements and a planned weight-room renovation.

Track resurfacing: Administration recommended purchasing a track surfacing system from FieldTurf through the Ohio Schools Council cooperative contract. The total project cost is listed as $602,719, split into two parts: site work estimated at $283,000 (construction entrance, stripping the existing surface, asphalt milling, PetroMat and paving) and a BSS track surfacing system priced at $319,675 that includes a manufacturer's five-year warranty and spray-applied surfacing over approximately 7,700 square yards.

Easements: The city of Lakewood asked the district for a perpetual, permanent public access easement for parcel 31411081 (14100 Franklin Boulevard) to facilitate forthcoming Bunce Road intersection work; the city will pay $1 and assume maintenance of the impacted area. Separately, Enbridge requested a 20-by-30-foot easement to relocate a gas-regulating station above ground near the corner of Jackson and Clifton; Enbridge's offer for the easement was $14,000. Officials said both easement proposals were reviewed by the district's legal counsel, Squire Patton Boggs.

Weight-room renovation and gifts: The administration presented a recommendation to award Phase 1 of the Lakewood High School weight-room renovation to Perform Better following a competitive solicitation. Project cost is $164,411. The district reported donations totalling $175,000 toward that expense: $155,000 from Lakewood Athletic Boosters and $20,000 from the Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation. The procurement was presented as a first reading; the board will take formal action at the district's second monthly meeting.

Other items: The board heard routine indemnification and rental agreements for Cleveland Metroparks (the district uses Memorial and Tyler athletic fields) and was told the legal firm Squire Patton Boggs reviewed the major proposals.

Ending: Several items were presented as first readings and will return for action at the district's next meeting. The track resurfacing, utility easements and the weight-room renovation are capital items that the administration said will be financed from non-general-fund or grant sources where applicable.","Administrators presented six building‑site items including a $602,719 proposal to resurface the Lakewood High School track, a $14,000 requested easement from Enbridge, a City of Lakewood easement for $1, and a planned weight-room renovation partially funded by donations totaling $175,000.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6086909,"District says MEMS, welding addition and FSO work progressing; roofing, HVAC and finish work next",526,1430000,1956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84&start=1430&end=1956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84/thumbnail_1430000.jpg","/articles/6086909/Ohio/District-says-MEMS-welding-addition-and-FSO-work-progressing-roofing-HVAC-and-finish-work-next","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086909-27e24a3b77ffdbda7bd7a90742436b5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019098&Signature=CKP71XN7kvn7ycFicb6BztDtD9VvranOWj95S52yofz1swFimEWasyPVcWR8gBvEVWtHJjltJFBuomhbMjvTmx6D1A0Ozu32LcMEtqIuWC-gVAPfh2R0Ikjpj8irvGVd4DUO0hGq-Bh3oPI3KWSWADQmqdPaSmetsm~wTtqkMLaffxwimg5apNvAooJ9uSKHycOWDKZFHD9RZjYXXI3MJMwaE4BqOlHHd~uU~BbnRtdpSwAe~NS3qeHkBa~x3-xgOYy~7ZQDnKYBfTiVda0~SloPYVwBlQwItRfTdbeNXKWU1-o-kYf6EQKJEdNS5lsmqdZouVzRmrCPbNiLemkhIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lakewood City School District reported substantial progress April 7 on three building projects — the MEMS (science/technical) rooms, the welding addition and interior work at the Frank School of Opportunity (FSO) — and said interior finishes, roofing and mechanical start‑ups are next on the schedule.

Scott Wagner, vice president of operations, showed photos of ductwork, electrical rough-ins, precast floor planks and masonry and said crews have installed roof joists and metal decking on the welding addition and are preparing to install roofing to make the structure weather-tight. \"All three spaces are on schedule currently,\" Wagner said. He told the board that contractors will pour topping slabs, complete HVAC rough-in, set fume-extraction equipment for the welding shop and install plumbing and fire-sprinkler heads as above-ceiling inspections are completed.

Why this matters: The projects add instructional space and career-technical capacity at Lakewood High School. The district said the MEMS and welding work were funded in part by grant awards; the superintendent noted the district wrote approximately $5.7 million in grants toward those projects.

What the district reported: Wagner described finishing steps the team expects over April and May, including completing brick veneer, installing rooftop HVAC supports and units, painting interior spaces and placing restroom fixtures. He said much of the disruptive work on the MEMS second floor is scheduled during second-shift hours when students are not present. The district expects the three work areas to reach substantial completion in late July or early August — \"a couple days away from each other,\" Wagner said — and that timing would not interfere with the first day of school.

Board and community reaction: Board members and community attendees asked whether the projects remain on schedule despite winter weather; Wagner said the roofing sequence and April weather make the coming weeks favorable. Superintendent Nizwicki thanked Regency Construction and district staff for managing phasing to minimize disruption to students.

Ending: District officials said they will schedule another tour once roofing is finished and plan a ribbon-cutting ceremony when the welding and MEMS work is complete.","Operations vice president gave a construction progress update for the MEMS wing, the Frank School of Opportunity (FSO) addition and a new welding lab; district says all three areas are on schedule for late-July/early-August completion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6086914,"Lakewood residents urge board to keep seven neighborhood elementary schools open as task force deliberates",106,1727000,1833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84&start=1727&end=1833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894023-dd6c3cf1225fb6da8a071c3864481c84/thumbnail_1727000.jpg","/articles/6086914/Ohio/Lakewood-residents-urge-board-to-keep-seven-neighborhood-elementary-schools-open-as-task-force-deliberates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086914-40b9f5001433ae8e6d7821ba5c55383c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019098&Signature=e4K0bJ1rCv6s08SohsCM3XssBBmn~rf3uDWSMh86xT~Ek2tfQjnYDwbGalhSzj5xqnzEsi0O6kXA1Ka5bAg91~qNLJfkfgunHpnzuJqkqzuJC8nvJhqnw~IviHkdAowOcApg49i3mjMlQqBRYA4H-sEXKz5kobWD6Cu6svGBVDMgGGSwMtDaVMHdSUmFLa6BH2C9COV6lv87nrCu5tdlFBWbfstsrnh~ipte3HNoOwxXhjGT6b~Z8VMl7UvzJ0rCAKgWtdFSPUVaWlnH-vwFktGrxFQ2J7PnddsOtqNQjnrbba4003Mn9VJKWTfU5eeM~-~dpWcvNyvzqafoB7yKrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hundreds of residents and several board members pressing the Lakewood Board of Education on April 7 called for preserving the district's seven neighborhood elementary schools as a facilities task force reviews options to address enrollment and budget pressures.

The public-comment period filled with speakers who cited walkability, the social-emotional impacts on students and the district's recent $100 million investment in three rebuilt elementary buildings as reasons to avoid closures. \"Families choose Lakewood for a reason. For many families, that reason is walkability,\" said Amanda Kyber, a Virginia Avenue resident. \"We should be fighting to protect it even when doing so comes at a cost.\"

Why this matters: The elementary facilities task force has been meeting since last August to consider scenarios about building use, capacity and program location. Board members said they have been attending task-force meetings as observers and now plan to stop attending so the group can deliberate independently before making recommendations to administration and the board.

Public comments recurred around several themes: preserving walkable, neighborhood-based schools; fears that closing a building would displace families who rely on short walks or local before- and after-care; the potential erosion of community trust after recent capital investments; and concerns that consolidating facilities could increase absenteeism among at-risk students. Elena McCourt, a Lake Avenue resident whose children attend Lincoln Elementary, told the board that closing or repurposing a recently opened building \"will erode trust and support with the very community members needed to pass a new levy.\" She cited a district estimate that closing one or two schools would save roughly $500,000 per year while the treasurer projected larger operating deficits of about $6 million in 2026 and $13 million in 2028.

Several speakers urged alternatives to closure. Parents and staff recommended exploring redistricting first, maintaining decentralized preschool in neighborhood schools, and finding creative ways to keep class sizes equitable without eliminating neighborhood buildings. \"We shouldn't be trying to compete with locally owned and operated centers that can offer year-round care,\" said Kelly Moyer, a parent of four who attends Lincoln programs.

Some task-force members and speakers urged the board to consider state-level pressures when weighing options. Board member comments referenced recent proposals in Columbus that could change how underutilized school buildings are treated; board members said planning ahead may help the district retain local control.

What board members said at the meeting: President Katzenberger and other board members praised the task force's turnout and diligence. The board emphasized that no final recommendation has been made and described the process as ongoing: \"We want time to sit with the information for a little while,\" one board member said, urging the public to allow the process to play out.

Ending: The task force will continue its remaining meetings to narrow scenarios and produce recommendations for the administration and board. Meanwhile, dozens of residents who spoke at the April 7 meeting said they will press the district to preserve neighborhood schools and to ensure any future levy request is framed to maintain the features that drew families to Lakewood.","Hundreds of residents told the Lakewood Board of Education they value walkable neighborhood schools and urged the board not to close or repurpose elementary buildings while a facilities task force completes its work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves personnel items, field trip and scoreboard; several contracts cleared on first reading

Board reviews easements, track surfacing and weight-room renovation proposals; donors pledged most of weight-room cost

District says MEMS, welding addition and FSO work progressing; roofing, HVAC and finish work next

Lakewood residents urge board to keep seven neighborhood elementary schools open as task force deliberates