In Lakewood, Ohio, Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki recently presented important data points regarding the potential closure and repurposing of an elementary school. This discussion comes as the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education prepares for a critical vote on October 6, 2023. Niedzwiecki emphasized that her recommendation will be based on comprehensive data collected by her administrative team and external vendors.
Community Engagement Ahead of Board Vote
On September 29, 2023, from 18:30 to 20:00, a Table Top Conversation will be held at the Lakewood High School cafeteria. This event aims to gather structured feedback from community members before the board’s vote. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by September 22, 2023, as facilitators will collect responses without open floor comments.
Niedzwiecki described this gathering as a vital opportunity for the community to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the district’s future. “We have developed three to five questions for participants to fill out individually,” she stated. “All the information will be compiled and reviewed by me.” This initiative reflects the district’s commitment to transparency and community involvement in decision-making processes.
Addressing Declining Enrollment Trends
The upcoming vote follows a year-long study conducted by a 50-member community task force focused on the district’s seven elementary schools. The district has faced significant challenges, including a decade-long trend of declining enrollment, resulting in approximately 1,600 fewer students and an average capacity of only 66% for K-5 students across the schools.
Complications arose earlier this year when the community group Friends of Lakewood submitted a demand letter that delayed Niedzwiecki’s recommendation. This situation required the district to separate itself from any associations with the task force. “I’m truly a leader who believes that clarity is a form of kindness,” Niedzwiecki remarked. “I’m committed to transparent communication that informs rather than unsettles.”
As the date for the Board of Education’s discussion approaches, Niedzwiecki acknowledges the challenges of addressing sensitive community concerns. “This was going to be a tough conversation, but I did not expect it to last this long,” she noted. “In the next few weeks, I will provide my best recommendation to the Board, and they will decide whether to adopt or modify it before the vote.”
The outcome of this decision could significantly impact the future of Lakewood’s elementary education landscape, making community feedback essential in shaping the recommendation presented to the Board.
