Lakewood School Board Member Matthew John Markling - Proudly Serving the Lakewood City Schools!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 17, 2008
Contact: Kathy LaSota, OSBA
(614) 540-4000

Lakewood City School District to search for new superintendent

Lakewood, OH — On November 17, 2008, the Lakewood City Board of Education took official action to contract with the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) to assist with the search for a new superintendent. The search is the result of the resignation of current superintendent, David Estrop, who has served the district for the past 4 years. Estrop’s resignation is effective July 31, 2009.

OSBA has conducted over 700 searches for Ohio school superintendents and treasurers since 1981. Kathy LaSota, OSBA Deputy Director of Search Services will conduct the search process. Lakewood School Board President, W. Charles Geiger III, describes the OSBA search process as thorough and rigorous and says, “We are looking forward to working through a proven process that will identify our district’s leadership needs and find the person who has the talent, knowledge and experience to take us to the next level of excellence.”

Preliminary work will take place in November and December and will include a series of focus groups to be facilitated by LaSota with teaching and classified staff and district administrators. Date, times and locations will be announced soon. Community members will have the same opportunity to provide input during the month of January.

The District will launch the search by officially announcing the vacancy the week of January 5. Applications will be accepted until Thursday, February 19. All applications will be screened by an OSBA screening committee. The board will then receive an OSBA screening committee report with recommendations for next steps. The board will determine a short list of interviewees, conduct interviews and reference checks and possibly conduct site visits. It is hoped that a new superintendent will be identified by mid-March.

To suggest potential applicants or for more information, contact Kathy LaSota, OSBA at 614-540-4000 or email at k_lasota@osba-ohio.org.

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SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH SURVEY

Please take the time to complete and return a survey to assist the Lakewood City School District Board of Education as we search for a new Superintendent.

The survey can be obtained by either clicking here. At some point, the survey will be available on the official school district website as well.

The survey asks the following questions:

What are the major issues that will be facing this school district during the next several years? Consider both possible threats and golden opportunities.

What do you expect the next superintendent to do about the issues listed above? In other words what do you see as the new superintendent's primary role during the next several years?

Given your responses to questions #1 and #2 what personal and professional characteristics will be absolutely critical for the next superintendent to be a successful leader?

What specific knowledge, skills and experiences will you be looking for in your new superintendent?

The completed survey should be returned to the Ohio School Boards Association, 8050 N High Street, Suite 100, Columbus, Ohio 43235-6482 or fax (1.614.540.4100) ATTN: Kathy LaSota. You can also e-mail the survey to Kathy LaSota at k_lasota@osba-ohio.org.

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Contact School Board Member Markling: School Board Member Matthew John Markling values your opinion regarding the Lakewood City Schools. Please share your questions, comments, and/or concerns regarding your system of public education with Markling today by clicking here.

Bylaws and Policies: To review the Bylaws and Policies of the Lakewood City School District Board of Education, please click here.

Lakewood School Board Member Markling Appointed to State-Wide Attorney Task Force: Lakewood School Board Member Matthew John Markling is one of approximately 15 attorneys appointed to serve on the Ohio State Bar Association Task Force on Attorney Advertising and Marketing. The Task Force is charged with reviewing the current state of attorney advertising in Ohio and the manner in which it is regulated. Markling is a founding partner of the law firm of McGown, Markling & Whalen Co., L.P.A., which serves the legal needs of private and public schools throughout Ohio and Florida.

Working Together: Consensus Is Goal Of Board's Planning Process, Lakewood School Board, The Lakewood Observer (September 3, 2008). To view this article, please click here.

School Board Reaffirms Commitment to "Brake 4 Kids," Matthew John Markling, The Lakewood Observer (August 19, 2008). To view this article, please click here.

School Board to Begin Search for New Superintendent: The Lakewood City Schools will begin its search for a new superintendent this fall. The Lakewood City Schools will be looking to Lakewood for input throughout this exciting process. Stay tuned.

School Board Reaffirms Commitment to the D.A.R.E. Program, The Lakewood Observer (June 10, 2008). To view this article, please click here.

Matt Markling Introduces - School Board Unanimously Approved - May 15 - Peace Officer's Memorial Day, The Lakewood Observer (May 13, 2008). To view this article, please click here.

Meet Lakewood's Newest Resident - Ian Matthew Markling, The Lakewood Observer (April 29, 2008). To view this notice, click here.

School Board Member Markling Promises To Keep the Promises, Matthew John Markling, The Lakewood Observer (January 8, 2008). To view this article, click here.

Markling has personal stake in schools, David George, Lakewood Sun Post (December 12, 2007). To view this article, please click here.