Donor funding cut and levy support raised during public comments at Lakewood board meeting

During the board’s public comment period, a speaker identifying herself as Trish said she received an email notifying a benefactor that their employment and financial support for district programs would end on Dec. 31. She said multiple school programs rely on the family’s funds — including eyeglass assistance, Suzuki music scholarships, a fifth-grade basketball tournament and the Anne Giffel Dignity Closet — and asked the board for patience and clarification as the family attempts to disentangle their support arrangements.

An administrator read the district’s email to the family into the record, thanking Dr. Hankins for years of service and expressing appreciation for his contributions and foresight in arts programming; the district said it would share the full email with the commenter for clarification. The public commenter said they had not received an explanation for the termination and asked the board to extend the Dec. 31 deadline while the family sorts legal and administrative issues.

Separately, Martha Warner, a parent and taxpayer, spoke in favor of the forthcoming school levy, saying the community benefits from the schools’ programs and that levy funding allows the district to retain staff and expand student opportunities. "Levies allow for an education built for the future and the attraction and retention of talented staff who nurture our students," Warner said, describing the district as a community asset that supports property desirability and student opportunity.

District officials said they would follow up to provide clarification on the donor communication and noted that some funding questions may be administrative matters that staff will address.