Lakewood Local School District

The Regular Meeting agenda was approved. Presentations included an update from the Lakewood High School Student Council on initiatives such as blood drives, a recycling program, and a Mitten Tree. The Director of Teaching and Learning provided updates on the High School Curriculum Guide for 2026-2027, including changes related to Valedictorian/Salutatorian criteria, new courses, and STEM pathway revisions. A public hearing for the ESEA and IDEA - Parts B Grant was announced for March 18, 2026. The Finance Committee reported on the Financial Forecast and the impact of Property Tax Reform. The Board approved various Treasurer's consent agenda items, including financial reports for January 2026, new funds, donations, and amendments to the Certificate of Estimated Resources and Permanent Appropriations. The Financial Forecast and Related Assumptions were approved. Under the Superintendent's Report, approvals were granted for new classified and certified staff, substitutes, coaching supplementals, a resolution for OHSAA membership, leaves of absence, and the 2026-2027 School Calendar and Course Offering Book. A resolution was passed to administer the Third Grade English Language Arts State Assessment in a paper format for the 2026-2027 school year. Finally, the Board authorized an agreement with Farnham Equipment Company for the Auditorium Seating Project for $226,000.00.

The meeting agenda included several presentations from Lakewood Middle School, the Director of Teaching and Learning, and a general Schools Update. The Treasurer's Report covered consent items such as financial reports for February 2026, a donation, preschool fees, the student activity handbook, and various service contracts, including agreements with Licking Regional Educational Service Center and The Learning Spectrum. Key actions involved approving participation in the META Solutions Cooperative Purchasing Program to receive bids for two school buses and approving the direct purchase of two 2027 school buses through the same program. Furthermore, the Board addressed the approval of a service agreement for trash disposal with WIN Waste Innovations. A significant portion of the meeting concerned the approval of three resolutions to file complaints against real property valuations for Tax Year 2025, involving properties owned by Univar Solutions USA LLC, Microsoft Corporation, and 6993 Jacksontown Road, LLC, et al. The Board also approved a five-year Treasurer/CFO contract for Glenna Plaisted, updates on employment including resignations, retirements, and new hires/substitutes, and the approval of coaching supplementals and summer program personnel. Finally, the Board approved the disposal/sale of two older school buses and authorized a public notice regarding the potential re-employment of the Director of Teaching and Learning following her service retirement.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the approval of the agenda, presentations by Lakewood Elementary School focusing on second graders' essays on topics like the War of 1812 and Greek Myths, and the Director of Teaching and Learning's report on ESEA and IDEA Federal Grants, noting a forthcoming public hearing and congratulating an Intervention Specialist for an award. The Superintendent provided updates on cultural initiatives, communication improvements, high staff/student attendance rates, and recognized accomplishments across various departments. A proclamation declaring January as School Board Recognition Month was read. Consent agenda items approved included the disposition of the December 10, 2025 minutes, financial reports, and several donations. The Board approved the first read of revised Board Policy 7450 regarding Property Inventory. Administrative updates covered the mid-year drug testing report, approval of resignations for classified staff, and the appointment of new classified staff and various substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year, including coaching and non-coaching supplementals. Approvals were also granted for staff leave of absence and travel for wrestling and baseball teams, as well as the change of retirement date for one staff member, and the retirement of a Reading Intervention Teacher. The retirement of the Superintendent, effective July 31, 2026, was approved. The meeting concluded with board member comments and an executive session convened for the purpose of considering the evaluation of an employee or official of the school district.

The Board approved the agenda for the special meeting. Key actions included approving resignations of classified staff (Jordan Orders and Elizabeth Moore) and approving the employment of new classified staff members, including a Middle School Health Aide and a Preschool Health/Safety Monitor, with employment contingent upon background checks. The Board also approved the employment of substitutes and supplemental staff, as well as corrections to start dates for existing staff. Furthermore, the Board approved the second read and adoption of revised Board Policy 7450 regarding Property Inventory, and authorized the approval of a contract with Finding Leaders to conduct the Superintendent Search. The meeting included an executive session to consider the employment of an employee or official.

The Board meeting agenda included several sections for participation and reports, such as presentations from the Student Council, the Director of Teaching and Learning, and a general Schools Update. The Treasurer's Report covered consent items including the disposition of minutes from previous meetings, January 2026 financial reports, acceptance of new grant funds, various donations, and resolutions concerning the estimated resources and tax levies for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. The Board was scheduled to approve the Five-year Forecast and Related Assumptions. The Superintendent's report involved routine business items, including personnel actions such as approving classified staff, substitutes, coaching supplements, authorizing membership in the OHSAA for the 2026-2027 School Year, approving unpaid leave for an employee, and approving the course offering book and calendar for the 2026-2027 School Year. Other items included approving a resolution for administering the third-grade Ohio State English Language Arts Assessment in paper format and approving the disposal/scraping of a 2004 Ford Van. A public hearing notice for ESEA and IDEA-Part B Grants was announced for March 18, 2026. The meeting concluded with scheduled executive sessions regarding economic development assistance and employee evaluation.