A Vote for Lakewood Schools is an Investment in Our Community’s Future
The strength of the Lakewood schools was a driving force when my husband and I decided to buy a home. Now with two future Rangers in our family, I know we could not have made a better choice. The levy on the May 5th ballot is critical to ensuring our schools stay strong, stable, and successful for many years to come.
The Ohio Department of Education gave Lakewood four stars on the two most recent state report cards, with students meeting and exceeding state standards in key areas of achievement, progress, and gap closing. The proposed levy will keep our momentum going by helping the district continue paying for the talented teachers, wide variety of educational and extracurricular programs, technology, and student safety measures that support more than 4,000 students every day. The levy will cost an additional $14 per month for every $100,000 of property valuation in Lakewood and allows our community to decide what’s best for our children and schools. With steady, predictable funding, the district can plan for our community’s future while continuing to deliver the strong results we’ve come to expect.
This district is a local institution that belongs to all of us, whether we have students currently enrolled or not. Their strength supports the health of Lakewood and helps to attract families looking for a place to call home. Our schools produce strong outcomes by educating the whole child, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, grow to their greatest potential, and become contributing members of our community and beyond. We should be proud of our legacy of supporting public education at the ballot because strong schools are necessary for a strong community and future.
Since moving here, I’ve seen our district responsibly use levy funds, as well as grants from other sources, to continuously expand and improve its offerings, from the introduction of STEM classes in elementary school to additional career pathways at the high school. This means that all students, no matter their background or income, can have access to relevant and engaging learning experiences that will prepare them for the future.
With uncertainty and inflation impacting districts across Ohio, this levy makes sure that Lakewood has the resources to maintain high-quality programs, hire and retain talented teachers, and keep learning environments safe and well-equipped. The upcoming levy is a smart, forward-thinking step that will help keep our schools and community strong. I’m calling on Lakewood voters to support our schools this May — it’s critical to ensure that our schools have the necessary funding to give our students and community the brightest future.
