New Superintendent For Lakewood? Announcement Expected Soon

LAKEWOOD, OH — The Lakewood City Schools may be close to announcing a replacement for retiring Superintendent Jeff Patterson. Board of Education member Linda Beebe told Patch the district has made an offer to a candidate and she expects negotiations to continue throughout the weekend. She said an announcement about the candidate could come as early as Monday or Tuesday.

The Board initially interviewed eight candidates for the position. Thorough background checks were done for each person interviewing, and Beebe said she has spoken to other Board of Education members, in other communities, to get background on candidates. It appears the district's thorough due diligence may soon pay off.

"The schedule then is to get the contract talks done, have a vote and a public meeting next week," Beebe said. She noted that while things are very promising right now, there are no guarantees the candidate will accept the position.

Patterson announced in November 2017 that he was planning to retire after the 2017-2018 school year. He has been the superintendent of the district for a dozen years. He said the completion of the district's major construction projects, the school system's strong financial position and the extension of union contracts through 2020 allowed him to feel comfortable stepping away.

Replacing Patterson will be a tall task, Beebe feels. That's why the Board has been so selective with candidates and so careful about its due diligence.

"We were looking for somebody who had experience as a classroom teacher, had front-line jobs, had positions dealing with the public before they got to central office jobs," Beebe told Patch. " We wanted someone that was a good listener, collaborative, involved in community organizations and could provide good leadership."

Beebe also had a few of her own characteristics in mind when looking at candidates. "I was looking for somebody that was adept at technology and project-based learning and utilize 21st-century learning tools. I wanted somebody interested in teaching the whole child, meaning everything from vocational training to the arts to academic achievement and AP classes. I wanted a breadth of education and excitement and curiosity."

A rumor was floated recently that the district had already hired a superintendent candidate. However, a spokesperson for Lakewood City Schools told Patch that no one has yet been hired. It appears, however, that negotiations are ongoing.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch