Candidate name: Betsy Bergen Shaughnessy

Candidate email: betsybshaughnessy@gmail.com

Candidate age:  77

Candidate’s stated party affiliation: Democrat

Position Sought: Member, Lakewood Board of Education

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? no

What is your educational background? 

BS Ed from Ohio University, MBA Cleveland State University

What is your occupation? 

Presently retired after working in health care administration for the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.

Do you have any previous experience as an elected official?  

I am very proud to be serving in my 32nd year as a member of the Lakewood Board of Education.

Why are you seeking office? 

We are currently experiencing an unprecedented attack on public education and local control from both the federal and state government. Projected funding reductions accompanied by large increases in funding for private schools, targeting teachers and collective bargaining rights, removal of books from school libraries and classrooms, blurring lines between church and state. At the same time legislation is being passed making it more difficult for our most vulnerable children, often with little regard for the wishes of their parents. I am running because I am able to respond proactively, thoughtfully and objectively to these challenges. I am running to support the utilization of school resources – financial, human and material – in a way that provides the most opportunity to the greatest number of students.

What do you think the single most pressing issue facing the Lakewood School Board is? 

I believe that what makes the Lakewood City Schools remarkable is what goes on in our classrooms, auditoriums, stadiums and community and the enthusiasm, innovation and dedication of our excellent teachers ,administrators and our entire staff. Lakewood as a community values our history and traditions – balancing tradition with changing demographics, political climate and education itself. Our elementary students are being exposed on a weekly basis to STEM and Digital Literacy as well as music, art and physical education. Evaluating and appropriately incorporating AI in the classroom is a priority conversation for our educators. I believe our most pressing issue is determining how to navigate the turbulent times in which we live and manage change to best reflect our core values.

What differentiates you from other candidates? 

I currently serve on the board with four excellent board members who have served between 1 and 5 years. I am currently in my 32nd year. I can provide perspective and context – I have experienced great times and difficult times. I came onto the board following multiple levy failures and I know that damage was done to the educational experience of our students that continues to the present day. I participated in the planning and eventual building or rebuilding of 10 schools because the schools our children were attending could not support 20th century teaching and learning. Our community provided support during the entire process – from assessing the need to passing the required Bond issues that enabled us to secure OSFC funds. I experienced the distress of parents, children and staff during the Covid years and saw long standing relationships broken by the stress that needed to be repaired – they were. I believe I can continue to serve my fellow board members, our children and our community.

Please summarize your campaign platform. 

I will work with my fellow board members as well as the Superintendent and Treasurer to make the best use of the resources at our disposal to provide for children no matter their neighborhood, grade or ability. I will demonstrate financial responsibility and respect the Lakewood taxpayers who carry the burden because Ohio has failed to meet its constitutional responsibility. I will support the excellent teachers, administrators and all district staff and make decisions based on educational goals, on the expertise of educators and on the input of all members of the community. I am committed to celebrating and embracing the diversity we find in our schools and our community and providing each of our students the support and services that will enable them to take advantage of the opportunities they have,

What past experiences indicate that you’ll succeed as a Lakewood school board member? 

I seem to have answered this question through my previous answers so won’t repeat myself. I do think my active participation in a wide range of organizations dedicated to education, health and community service has made me a better school board member. I served as PTA president at both Lincoln Elementary and Horace Mann Middle School and was a Trustee of the Lakewood Public Library prior to my election to the Lakewood Board of Education. I participated in an extensive audit of health needs for all Lakewood citizens, served on Project HEAL and am very proud that the Teen Health Clinic was opened to address some of those needs. I was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Lakewood, which has long been known for its support of Lakewood students through Builders Clubs and supports children’s health here and around the world. I proudly served on the Lakewood Alumni Foundation for 8 years and served as President. I have been a Trustee of the Lakewood Foundation Board for decades – we serve community organizations and some city departments as fiscal sponsors providing financial oversight and management. I am an active member of the League of Women Voters. Being part of these groups has given me the opportunity to gain valuable insight from members of the community, both with and without children in school.

Is there anything else voters should know about you? 

I believe that a strong system of public education is critical to a democracy and that it is the responsibility of each of us to fight to maintain schools in which children can be safe, thrive and learn. I have had the great honor of being elected by Lakewood voters eight times. I hope this speaks to the community’s confidence in my ability and my vision for our schools. I hope that I will be entrusted with this great responsibility for another term.

Do you have a website? https://betsy-shaughnessy.mailchimpsites.com/