LAKEWOOD -- The Lakewood Board of Education has agreed to keep all of the city's elementary schools open.
At its meeting on September 17, board members approved the superintendent's recommendation to delay the closing of one of the schools.
Last month, Superintendent Jeff Patterson presented data that showed a trend of growing enrollment especially in the K-2 level. Patterson told the board that the district could not close an elementary school without impacting classroom sizes which currently average 22 students.
"It continues to be a delicate balancing act to keep our community priorities intact (lower class sizes) while being fiscally responsible," said Patterson.
The Board plans to maintain operating seven elementary schools until the District enters Phase III of the Facilities Master Plan.
The original recommendation to close a school was part of a budget reduction resolution passed in May that accounted for more than $8 million in cuts over this school year and next.
WKYC-TV