CHAS GEIGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
At the December 1, 2008, meeting of the Lakewood Board of Education, veteran Board member and President, Mr. W. Charles Geiger III, announced his retirement from the Board effective December 31, 2008. During his remarks announcing his retirement, Mr. Geiger noted the significant progress made by the school district during the 2007-08 school year, including the settlement of employee labor contracts, the opening of two newly renovated elementary schools, continued progress on the Lakewood High School Phase II west wing renovation, and significant improvement in student academic achievement. Mr. Geiger also noted that the Board has set in motion the search process for a new Superintendent and was engaging in planning for the 2009-2010 school year. Mr. Geiger said, “While there is much work to do, I can say that the Lakewood Schools are strong. The Lakewood community can be proud of our many accomplishments this year. It’s all about the people involved, and the Lakewood Schools are full of dedicated and committed educational and support professionals. Likewise, our community is full of involved parents and families who provide the vital support to enhance teaching and learning in Lakewood. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to serve, and want to thank the community for its support of me and our schools over these past 22 years.
According to the Board of Education Bylaw 0145, vacancies on the Board are filled as follows:
Whenever a vacancy occurs, the Board shall fill the vacancy at its next regular or special meeting but not earlier than ten (10) days after the vacancy occurs.
The Board shall take the following steps to fill the vacancy:
- The Board shall seek qualified and interested candidates from the community through the news media, word of mouth, and contacts with appropriate organizations.
- All applicants are to submit a notice of their interest, in writing.
- The Board shall interview all interested candidates to ascertain their qualifications.
Appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy shall be by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board. The newly-appointed Board member selected to fill a vacancy shall serve the shorter of the following periods:
- until completion of the unexpired term, or
- until the first day of January immediately following the next regular Board of Education election taking place more than ninety (90) days after a person is selected to fill the vacancy. At that election, a special election to fill the vacancy will be held. However, no such special election shall be held if the unexpiredterm ends on or before the first day of January immediately following that regular Board election.
The Board of Education will provide more detailed information and a timeline concerning filling the vacancy in the near future. For further information, please contact Mr. Chas Geiger at 216.233.6303.
2007-08 Goals
I. Improve student achievement through effectively integrating the use of data and technology on a district wide basis in order to achieve an "Excellent" state designation.
II. Provide quality educational opportunities for all students while staying off the ballot during 2007-08 school year, thus, extending the operating levy cycle one more year.
III. Complete the renovation of Emerson Elementary School, Horace Mann Elementary School and the west wing of Lakewood High School in a timely manner and on budget.
IV. Continue the District's emphasis on improving student conduct, school climate and school safety.
LAKEWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICIES
DEFINITIONS:
Regular Board of Education Meetings:
In Lakewood, the Board of Education usually holds two (2) Regular Board Meetings per month. These meetings are usually held on the first and second Monday of each month, but the Board can change meeting dates, times and locations. Regular Board Meetings have an agenda prepared in advance and sent to each Board Member. This agenda is also circulated to media and any other interested parties. The Board usually reviews all items at the first monthly meeting, but takes no action on most items. At the second monthly meeting, most items are acted upon by the Board.
Special Board Meetings:
Special Board Meetings can be called anytime by the President of the Board, the Treasurer of the School District, or by two (2) members of the Board. The agenda as presented must be followed unless altered by the Presiding Officer.
Emergency Board Meetings:
An Emergency Board Meeting would be called if emergency action on the part of the Board was required.
Committee of the Whole Meetings:
Committee of the Whole meetings are discussion meetings at which no action is taken. These meetings are open to the public.
Recess:
The Board my adjourn or recess at any time. If the adjourned meeting is reconvened, it shall take up its agenda at the point where the motion to adjourn was acted upon. The same is true if the Board recesses the meeting. A recess is usually called for a shorter period of time than an adjournment, which can be reconvened at a future date.
Executive Session:
The Board and its committees can meet privately in Executive Session to discuss one (1) or more of the following issues exempted from public session:
A. consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee, official, or student;
B. investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or student unless such employee, official, licensee or student requests a public meeting; except that consideration of the discipline of a Board member for conduct related to the performance of his/her duties or his/her removal from office shall not be held in executive session;
C. consideration of the purchase of property or sale of property at competitive bidding, if premature disclosure or information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest;
D. discussion, with the Board's legal counsel, of disputes involving the Board that are the subject of pending or imminent court action;
E. preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of employment;
F. matters required to be confidential by Federal law or rules or State statues; and
G. specialized details of security arrangements where disclosure might reveal information that could be used for the purpose of committing or avoiding prosecution for a violation of law.
No official action may be taken in Executive Session. An Executive Session can be held only at a Regular or Special Board Meeting. After the Board meeting is convened, any member of the Board may make a motion for an Executive Session, and must state the purpose or purposes of the session by citing one (1) or more of the reasons above. Upon receiving a second to the motion and a majority roll call vote of those present and voting, the Presiding Officer shall declare the Board in Executive Session.
Notice of Meetings:
The Treasurer of the Board shall notify and provide agendas for Regular Board Meetings to the media and all interested parties who have requested notification no later than two (2) days in advance of the meeting. Notice of meetings shall include the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
Notice of Special Board Meetings shall be at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting specifying time, place and purpose of each Special Meeting.
Emergency Board Meetings which require the immediate official action of the Board, shall result in immediate notification of the media and interested parties by the member(s) calling the meeting specifying time, place and purpose of the meeting.
Additional definitions may be found in the online Board of Education Bylaws and Policies Book. Please select the link above under LAKEWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICIES to access the Board Bylaws and Policies.
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