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Lakewood board accepts superintendent’s resignation for retirement and sets July 6 public hearing on rehire
Summary
The Lakewood City Board of Education accepted Superintendent Maggie Nitzwiki’s resignation “for the purpose of retirement,” approved other personnel resignations, and scheduled a July 6 public meeting to receive input on Nitzwiki’s requested reemployment; board members said the move follows Ohio law and adds no new dollars to the district budget.
The Lakewood City Board of Education on June 1 accepted Superintendent Maggie Nitzwiki’s resignation “for the purpose of retirement,” effective July 31, 2026, and set a public meeting for July 6 to receive input on her requested reemployment.
Board members said the move follows the retire-and-rehire process in Ohio law. During an extended board discussion prior to the vote, trustees described two legal options for a superintendent who wishes to draw pension benefits and continue working: leave the job for 60 days or forgo two months of pension payments. Board members and the superintendent said Nitzwiki intends to continue working and to forgo the two-month pension payment option required in some cases.
The board took roll-call votes to approve multiple personnel motions on one reading, including certified and classified resignations that were presented at the meeting, and then approved the resolution accepting the superintendent’s retirement-with-intent-to-rehire. The resolution directs the treasurer to provide required public notice and establishes a public meeting on July 6, 2026, to receive comment on reemployment.
Public commenters pushed for clarity and transparency. Rebecca Vanas urged routine publication of supporting board-packet documents on the district’s BoardDocs platform so the public can review contract terms and staffing materials in advance. Holly D’Angelo said the October decision to close Lincoln was wrong and asked that the board hire a superintendent who better engages the community; Austin Roads asked the board to explain whether any additional district funds would result from the retire-and-rehire arrangement.
Superintendent Nitzwiki responded during public comment that “there’s no other additional dollars being added to my contract that weren’t already in that contract,” and said the retirement allows her to collect retirement funds she has earned while continuing to perform the superintendent role. Board members reiterated that, in their view, the arrangement does not increase district costs beyond previously negotiated contract terms.
The board’s action included a motion to waive the two-reading rule so the resignation/notice resolution could be approved on one reading. The resolution passed by roll call; each trustee’s vote was recorded at the meeting.
The board’s next regular meeting in July will include the public hearing established by the resolution and final consideration of any reemployment contract or amendments.
