Lakewood board directs ad hoc committee to study accelerated school consolidation timeline

The Lakewood Board of Education on Jan. 26 directed the Future Planning Ad Hoc Committee to reconvene and evaluate options for accelerating a proposed consolidation that would streamline the district to three buildings beginning in the 2027-28 school year. Superintendent Duits introduced the recommendation; the board reached a consensus to ask the committee to return with options for an earlier implementation timeline.

The board's discussion focused on operational and fiscal implications of consolidation, with members expressing both concern about maintaining services during any transition and interest in moving more quickly if feasible. Dr. DeWalt said the board should pursue a collaborative approach to ensure a successful transition. Mr. McArthur emphasized the need for clear community communication and asked staff to clarify how snow days and extracurricular activities would be affected by any new schedule or consolidation plan.

The meeting also included several routine reports. Representatives from Trane, Gwen Petit and Dean Weber, gave a presentation on energy-performance evaluations and potential district energy improvements. Finance Director Mr. Brown presented the first reading of the 2025-26 First Budget Amendment for the General Fund and the Food Service Fund; the amendment was presented for consideration and not adopted at this meeting. Mr. Williams delivered a mid-year building leadership report for the high school.

During the additions and changes portion of the agenda, Mrs. Behrenwald moved to strike Action Item 9.b, the Emergency Operations Plan; Mrs. Brodbeck-Krenz seconded. Mr. McArthur said he would not sign off on the plan until every board member had also signed it. The minutes do not record a vote on the motion to remove the Emergency Operations Plan from the agenda; Superintendent Duits invited individual board members to schedule time at Central Office to review the plan with her.

The board took one recorded formal action at the meeting: Mrs. Brodbeck-Krenz moved and Mrs. O’Mara-Franklin seconded approval of the 2026-2027 LES Student Handbook. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote (Behrenwald: Yes; O’Mara-Franklin: Yes; McArthur: Yes; Brodbeck-Krenz: Yes; Dr. DeWalt: Yes; Burd: Yes).

In her superintendent's report, Duits said the district had its seventh snow day of the school year and that a state waiver to forgive up to three additional days will be filed before spring break. She thanked Transportation Supervisor Hollie Graham for her work monitoring roads, reminded the board that Spring Count is scheduled for Feb. 11, and thanked administrative staff for their support.

President Burd adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. The board did not schedule further action on consolidation at this meeting aside from directing the Future Planning Ad Hoc Committee to return with recommendations for an accelerated timeline.