Lakewood Schools Negotiating On Reopening

LAKEWOOD, OH — The Lakewood Schools are considering reopening the district on Nov. 30, according to a source familiar with the situation.

District officials confirmed the administration and the Lakewood Teachers Association are in negotiations on reopening. However, a school system spokesperson declined to comment on any specifics involved in the reopening conversation.

The president of the Lakewood Teachers Association did not return multiple requests for comment.

A source told Patch the district is considering realigning its opening plan, so that if Cuyahoga County is "purple" (as defined by the Ohio Department of Health), then the district would be remote. If the county is "red," then the district would have a hybrid education model. If the county was "orange" or "yellow" classes would take place, in-person, five days a week.

Under the current model, if the county is "red" or "purple" the district is in remote-only education. If Cuyahoga moves to "orange," the hybrid model will be implemented; and if the county is "yellow," classes can be held five days a week in school.

Cuyahoga County is currently "red" for its COVID-19 spread and Lakewood schools are remote only. "Purple" is the most severe designation a county can receive for its COVID-19 spread, but no county in Ohio has yet been classified as "purple."

If the plan was approved by the district and the teachers' association, then classes would begin Nov. 30, according to the source. A vote on the proposal could happen as soon as this week.

Ohio is in the midst of an unprecedented COVID-19 surge, topping 8,000 cases in a single day last week. Gov. Mike DeWine has asked Ohio's colleges to remain remote following Thanksgiving break to try and curb the virus' spread. It's not yet clear if the governor will issue further mandates which might impact public schools.