BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes - 1946 to 1980

Years 1954-1957:

January, 1954

Resolved, each year, to designate a staff member who would receive the Kiwanis Club of Lakewood Meritorious Service to Youth Award.

Announced staff study sessions to discuss the Lakewood Schools' Educational Philosophy; and another staff study of the Lakewood Schools' Kindergarten Entrance Age Policy.

Report that the Lakewood City Council had suggested that the Board of Education assume the operation of the City Swimming Pool which was to open the summer of 1954.

February, 1954

Approved the inscription to be placed in the lobby of the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium that would characterize the terra cotta sculptured figure on the facade of the auditorium as "The Early Settler" rather than "Johnny Appleseed" (as originally conceived by Victor Schreckengost, the artist).

Report received on the planning for the high school little theatre and library (remodeling of the old high school auditorium) and for the McKinley School kitchen and locker room.

Adopted a revised policy on private tutoring in the Lakewood Schools.

Approved a new rental rate to be charged to the Lakewood Center of Western Reserve University for the use of the Lakewood High School facilities.

March, 1954

Advertised for bids on the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium seating.

Report on a classroom furniture study as part of the program to complete the furnishing of the elementary schools with modern, movable desks and seating.

As a culmination of a four-year staff study program under Dr. E. T. McSwain, Dean of the College of Education, Northwestern University, and Dr. Lowry Harding, Ohio State University, the Board adopted new arithmetic textbooks and instructional materials.

April, 1954

Agreed to operate the Lakewood Outdoor Municipal Swimming Pool at Lakewood Park.

Noted the deaths of former Board of Education members: A. F. Allen (1920 to 1933), and Major John M. Snead (1932 to 1935).

Report on the installation of the new organ at the Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium.

Adopted a new Kindergarten Entrance Age Policy. A child entering Kindergarten in September, 1955 shall have reached his fifth birthday before November 30, 1955. A child entering in September, 1956 shall have reached his fifth birthday before October 31, 1956.

Received an advisory committee report on pupil insurance.

Resolved to issue $800,000 in bonds for the addition to the Lakewood Public Library.

Rearranged the Franklin and Roosevelt Elementary School district boundaries to make optional the area bounded by Madison (north) and Athens (south), Madison Park (east) and Elbur (west).

Voted to permit use of Horace Mann School as the Civil Defense Control Center (moved from City Hall).

May, 1954

Accepted bids for the seating at the new Lakewood High Auditorium.

Adopted a revised salary schedule for all employees:
Teachers:
BA minimum - $3,600 BA maximum - $5,800
MA minimum - 3,750 MA maximum - 6,000
MA+30 hours- 6,200

Approved Ford Foundation Fellowship Awards arrangements for Lakewood teachers Dorothy Rupp and R. Jay Melick

Adopted textbooks for Art, Business and Mathematics.

Received a Freedom Foundations Award for the Lakewood Schools' observance of Ohio's Sesquicentennial.

Reemployed the Superintendent of Schools under a new five-year contract from 1954 to 1959 ($16,000 to $18,000).

June, 1954

Report from the committee selecting colors for seating, carpeting and stage curtains for the new Lakewood High School Auditorium.

Heard a report on recommended dress for boys at Horace Mann Junior High School.

July, 1954

The annual enumeration report showed a total of 10,712 children between 5 and 17 in Lakewood, an increase of 460 over the previous year.

September, 1954

A report of an increase in Lakewood school enrollment of 308 over the 6,771 the previous year.

Heard reports on the beginning of a slow learner class of nine students at Harding Junior High School; and on plans to begin a course for Practical Nurses in cooperation with Lakewood Hospital.

Approved the revised Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

October, 1954

Of the 10,413 Lakewood school children 64.98% attend public schools and 35.02% attend parochial schools.

Newly developed curriculum materials included Readiness for Reading, First Grade; Outlines for English Activities, Grades 7-9; and Summaries of Courses, LHS.

The median ages of the instructional staff decreased from age 48 in 1950-51 to age 45 in 1954-55.

Report that 34 high school students had enrolled in the Reading Clinic established at Lakewood High School to accelerate reading speed. The clinic is serving as a pilot program for reading improvement.

Approved publication of report card inserts and other brochures on the subjects of reading, arithmetic, writing, citizenship, kindergarten, recruitment, substitute teachers, and good teaching practices.

November, 1954

Announced plans for opening the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium. Under the general title "Pride of Progress" the celebrating events would reflect the tremendous developments in the city of Lakewood. A pageant, and a concert by the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra were among the planned activities.

Report that the terra cotta sculpture, "The Early Settler," on the facade of the new Lakewood High School Auditorium, had won two first prizes for outstanding sculpture and architecture at the 18th Ceramic National competition.

Again discussed the plans for remodeling the old Lakewood High School Auditorium into a new little theatre and new library.

Report on textbook studies in English, 2-6; History, 5-6; Mathematics, 7-8; English, 11; Music Appreciation, Science, and World History, secondary.

Announcement of curriculum committees to study Kindergarten, English, Science, and Arithmetic.

Approved establishing an advisory committee for the new Lakewood School of Practical Nursing.

December, 1954

The policy on the community use of school facilities encouraged use with costs limited to custodial services. Commercial organizations were also to be charged a rental.

The Saturday morning basketball program for fifth grade boys was reported. 255 boys were enrolled.

It was reported that enrollment in the Lakewood School of Practical Nursing to be limited to 25 students.

Report on the pending expiration of the 100-year lease granted to the schools on January, 1857 for the use of the land at 1456 Warren Road, location of the Adult Education and Recreation Department.

Report on Arithmetic conferences with, and demonstrations for, Lakewood elementary teachers to assure the best use of the newly adopted arithmetic texts published by the Winston Company.

Letter of appreciation from the Lakewood Teachers Association for extending employee sick leave allowance to 15 days annually.

Progress reported on planning for the all-community observance of a Lakewood "Pride of Progress" in April-May, 1955 concurrent with the opening of the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium.

January, 1955

Adopted a policy regulating the use of the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium.

Adopted a new salary schedule for all employees, effective September, 1, 1955.
Teachers:
BA Minimum - $3,800 BA Maximum $6,000
MA Minimum - 3,950 MA Maximum 6,200
MA+30 hours 6,400

Resolution clarifying the professional growth requirements of Lakewood teachers. A minimum of five semester hours of college credit, or equivalent in local courses, shall be earned by each certified staff member.

Report that Dr. Mary Austin, Western Reserve University, would teach a Reading course for Lakewood teachers; Dr. Kenneth Arisman, Ohio State University, would teach a Student Behavior course.

Report that Harding School students were planning a spring vacation trip to Washington and New York City.

February, 1955

Resolution in memory of Byron R. Mitchell, Lakewood Board of Education member (1950-1955) who died January 15, 1955.

Arlo Graber, former Lakewood Board of Education member (19501953), was appointed by the Board to fill the unexpired term of Byron Mitchell.

Policy adopted regulating the use of and establishing rental fees for the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium.

Adopted the 1955 revision of the Professional Personnel Policies.

Announcement that Martin W. Essex, Superintendent of the Lakewood Schools, had been elected to the Executive Committee of the American Association of School Administrators.

Announced the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium to be Sunday, April 17, 1955.

March, 1955

Approved final plans and advertised for bids for remodeling the old Lakewood High School Auditorium into a new library and little theater.

Received a report on plans for the new Lincoln School kitchen, and for the orchestra shell for the stage of the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium.

Report on a "return-to-campus" program for 16 Lakewood teachers. Two teachers returned to each of eight colleges to discuss educational experiences with their former professors.

Report on the planning for the "Pride of Progress" month, listing the following events for the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium:
April 17 - Ribbon cutting and Cleveland Symphony Orchestra Concert.
April 23 - University of Michigan Men's Glee Club.
April 30 - Telecast of the Horace Heidt Show Wagon.
May 8 - Vesper Concert, Combined Choirs, Lakewood Churches
May 12,13,14 - "Seeds of Progress" pageant.

Resolution to cooperate in the administering of the SALK vaccine program for 2nd and 3rd grade children.

Entered into an agreement with the City of Lakewood to operate the Lakewood Municipal Swimming Pool.

April, 1955

The Superintendent reported national recognition for the Lakewood Schools in the magazine, Everday Art, and in the book, Science in Daily Life.

Report on alterations to the McKinley School/Congregational Church parking areas.

Report on the completed dedication of the new Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium.

Authorized construction of the library and speech classroom at Lakewood High School.

May, 1955

Received the resignation of Martin W. Essex, Superintendent of Schools, so that he could accept the position of Superintendent of Schools, Akron, Ohio, effective July 31, 1955.

Appointed a screening committee of Board members to recommend a new Superintendent of Schools.

June, 1955

Report that a selection committee had been appointed to consider applicants for the position of Superintendent of Schools.

Approved a Lakewood High School Civic Auditorium rental agreement.

Report that Congressman William Minshall had commended Lakewood, Ohio for its "Pride of Progress" observance in the Congressional Record.

July, 1955

The enumeration report showed 11,228 school children residing in Lakewood, an increase of 516 over the previous year.

Elected Dr. William B. Edwards as Superintendent of the Lakewood Schools under a three-year contract at $16,000 per year, effective July 31, 1955.

Resolved to submit a 2.9 mill renewal levy and a .6 mill additional school operating levy to voters on November 8, 1955.

September, 1955

First Board meeting for Dr. William B. Edwards, new Superintendent of the Lakewood Schools.

Report that the enrollment in the Lakewood Schools totaled 7,382.

October, 1955

Textbook selection committees were announced to study Elementary Science; Junior High School Geography, American History, Anthology, Community Civics, and Algebra; High School Biology, American-Government and Consumer Economics.

November, 1955

Report that the school operating renewal and new levies had been approved by a 69.04% majority.

Report that 8,535 parents and friends visited the Lakewood Schools during American Education Week Open House.

December, 1955

Report given on College Visitations to the Lakewood Schools by representatives of college Departments of Education people, and on the Back-to-Campus visitations by Lakewood staff.

The purpose to exchange ideas and create good will.

Report that the Superintendent would attend the White House Conference on Education November 28 to December 1.

Authorized appointment of a Civic Auditorium Advisory Committee to insure maximum use of the auditorium for cultural and educational programs.

January, 1956

The Superintendent recommended that the Board rescind its policy of not employing married women as teachers in the Lakewood Schools. The Board approved the recommendation. The Superintendent stated: "We will employ teachers with one to ten years of experience. We will not employ two married teachers from the same family."

Adopted the following policy: "Personal illness does not include, nor is leave of absence granted for, reasons of pregnancy."

February, 1956

Entered into a contract with architects to plan alterations to Taft and Madison Schools in the form of new auditorium gymnasium units.

Resolved that the use of the Lakewood High School Student Center (L Room) be limited to student, school, and school affiliated groups only.

Contributed $200 to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for a subscribing membership.

March, 1956

The following announcements of scheduled events were made:

• A one-day audio-visual workshop for teachers.
• Curriculum conferences to be held in the four secondary schools around the subject areas of mathematics, science, social studies and language arts.
• A Business-Industry Education Day to be sponsored by the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Schools.
• The newly formed North Lake District PTA Council would meet in Lakewood.
• After-School playgrounds would open for a six weeks period, April 23 to June 1.

April, 1956

Adopted a revised salary schedule for all employees.
Teachers:
BA minimum - $4,000 BA maximum - 4,200
MA minimum- $6,200 MA maximum - 6,600
MA+30 hours- 6,900

Announced that the new Lakewood High School little theater (named the “Try-Out Theater”) would be dedicated at the Lakewood High School PTA meeting on April 19.

May, 1956

Report that 18 Emerson Junior High School students were awarded high honors at the Cleveland Press Science Fair.

177 Lakewood music students participated in the Ohio Music Association state finals competition at Ohio State University. Three choirs received "superior” ratings.

Adopted textbooks: Junior High School Literature, Social Studies, and Algebra; Senior High School English, Science, and Social Studies.

Applied for "Disaster Relief" from the State of Ohio for damage inflicted on Lakewood school buildings by the storm on May 12, 1956.

Authorized construction of auditorium-gymnasium additions to Taft and Madison Schools.

June, 1956

Extended the Professional Growth Program for a second fiveyear period, 1956 to 1961, and liberalized the professional experiences by which certified staff members could meet the requirement of earning 5 semester hours of college credits or equivalents in a five-year period.

July, 1956

All Board non-certified 12 months employees with 15 years of experience with the Lakewood Schools will receive three weeks of vacation annually.

September, 1956

Report that there was 100% compliance by all certified staff members in meeting the Professional Growth requirements of the five-year, 1951 to 1956.

October, 1956

The first issue of the "Staff Newsletter," to be distributed to all school personnel, was presented to the Board.

Report on teacher conferences with the Superintendent during October:
- 1955-56 teachers who returned
- new teachers, elementary and secondary
- teachers recently awarded continuing contracts
- teachers in Lakewood 2 to 5 years

Approved policy on teacher marriage that confines absence for marriage to holiday and spring vacation periods.

November, 1956

Report on the visit of Dr. Harold Reynard, Ohio State University, as an observer of the Lakewood Schools' guidance and counseling program.

Received a report on the First Annual Ohio School Board Association Conference.

Report that median class sizes in Lakewood were 22, first grade; 23, second grade; junior high, 29; high school, 26.

The Lakewood Center of Western Reserve University registered 428 compared to 364 in 1955.

December, 1956

Proposed a Professional Growth Program for Lakewood Schools' administrators.

Report that College Night (when prospective college students can interview college representatives) had grown in attendance from 967 in 1952 to 1586 in 1956.

Report that Phila Humphrey, Supervisor of Elementary Curriculum, the State Department of Education, had visited the Lakewood Schools and had met with school administrators.

January, 1957

Announced a professional growth course for Lakewood school administrators conducted in Lakewood by Dr. John Corbally of Ohio State University.

Report on the progress of construction of the Madison and Taft Schools' auditorium-gymnasium additions.

February, 1957

Because of the shortage of teacher candidates, competition for teaching talent was strong among school systems. The Superintendent announced plans for a new-teacher orientation program in late August and presented a new-teacher recruitment brochure entitled “Lakewood - An Exceptional Community.”

Also announced was a policy of employing a pool of teachers, with assignments undetermined, so as to have a sufficient number of teachers in September.

Announced a series of conferences with principals who presented their estimates of enrollments for Fall, and the number of staff needed.

The Clerk-Treasurer certified that the enrollment in the Lakewood Schools was 7,498.

Proposed a continuing contract with the City of Lakewood, rather than an annual contract renewal, for the operation of the Municipal Swimming Pool.

Report on the progress made in obtaining the property at 1456 Warren Road from the Wagar family heirs. The property had been used by the Board on a l00-year lease.

March, 1957

Announced an exchange program whereby Mildred Dicke, principal of Roosevelt School, and Helen Reynolds, professor, Baldwin-Wallace College Department of Education, would exchange positions for one week in April.

Reported the need for five additional teachers for 1957-58.

Announced the visit of Dr. Gerald Craig to Lakewood to work with elementary teachers in Science.

Agreed with the City of Lakewood to a long-term contract to operate the Municipal Swimming Pool.

Authorized a letter to the Wagar heirs indicating the Board believes the asking price for the property at 1456 Warren Road is too high.

Resolved to appropriate the Wagar property.

April, 1957

Announced Business Education Day when junior high school teachers would visit twelve small businesses in Lakewood. The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce arranged the program.

Approved the improvements planned for the Harding Field stands.

Adopted a new salary schedule for certified personnel:
Teachers:
BA minimum - $4,000 BA maximum - $6,400
MA minimum 4,200 MA maximum - 7,200
MA+30 hours- 7,500

May, 1957

Announced a three-day Reading Workshop had been held for elementary teachers, conducted by Ethel Howard, Director of Elementary Education.

Report that the Lakewood High Times had won the Donaghy Trophy as the best senior high school newspaper presented
at Kent, Ohio.

A resolution was presented in memory of Omar S. Ranney, Board of Education member who died on April 23, 1957. He had served for five years, 1952 to 1957. He was president of the Board in 1954.

W. Dean Hopkins was appointed to the Board to serve the unexpired term of Omar S. Ranney.

Increased the salaries of clerical and custodial personnel.

June, 1957

Resolution declaring the need for "emergency painting" in various Lakewood school buildings.

Adopted textbooks for junior high school French, Spelling and Science; high school Latin and English.

Wilma Kissle granted a one-year leave of absence to teach in the Army's Dependents' Schools Overseas.

Notice to the Wagar heirs that the Board of Education had taken title to the property at 1456 Warren Road.

July, 1957

Proposed to study, as a reaction to, a new State law permitting 5% of the teaching staff with five years of experience to have a year's leave of absence with partial pay.

Announced that 66 teachers' positions had opened for the 1957-58 school year.

Resolved to submit a 7.8 mill renewal levy and a new 2.2 mill school operating levy to the electorate at the November 5, 1957 election.

September, 1957

Announced the dedication dates for new auditorium-gymnasiums at: Taft School - September 15; Madison School September 22.

Reactivated the Lakewood Center of Western Reserve University Advisory Committee.

Announced conferences with Lakewood High School graduates attending colleges to assess their college preparation at Lakewood High School.

Approved a Guidance Workshop for Lakewood teachers to be conducted by Dr. Herman Peters of Ohio State University.

Appointed a 1957 School Levy Information Committee.

October, 1957

Announced October 2 as the annual Careers Day for students at Lakewood High School.

Conferences on Instruction were held for Lakewood teachers on October 9.

Announcement of Superintendent/New-Teacher teas to assess the effectiveness of new-teacher orientation programs.

Requested approval of the Board to establish a class for "hard of hearing and deaf" children at the junior and senior high school levels.

Learned of a scholarship for a Lakewood teacher given by the Devereux Foundation to attend a summer camp for emotionally disturbed children in Bethel, Maine.

November, 1957

Local photographers addressed the Board concerning policies on photographing students for the "Cinema," the high school yearbook.

Announced receipt of an award given by the Ohio Education Association to the Lakewood Schools for its "Professional Personnel Policies."

Announced future "Talking It Over" report card insert brochures on the subjects of Art, School Libraries, Lakewood PTA, and Kindergarten.

Report that the 10-mill school operating levy on the November ballot was approved by a 73.14% majority.

Approved establishing a class for deaf and hard of hearing students at the junior and senior high school levels.

December, 1957

Agreed to send a letter to all photographers who wished to be considered for "Cinema" photo contracts.

Announced that Lakewood's school tax rate was the second lowest in the county.

A reception and tea for Lakewood's retired teachers was reported.

Announced in-service courses for Lakewood teachers:
Industrial Arts taught by Dr. Robert Haws, Ohio State University
Mathematics taught by Dr. Elbridge Vance of Oberlin College

Received a letter from Mayor Frank Celeste asking the Board if it wished to exercise its option to purchase the Wilson School property for the sum of $85,000.

Dr. E. E. Holt, Ohio's Superintendent of Public Instruction, was a visitor at the December meeting of the Board.

Authorized the establishment of West Side deaf and hard-of-hearing classes at Harrison School for children of preschool and elementary school age, effective September, 1958.

>> 1958-1961

The history of the Lakewood Schools from 1946 to 1980 is reflected in excerpts from the minutes of the meetings of the Lakewood Boards of Education, compiled by Joseph Wilson, former teacher, principal and personnel director (1947-1979).