Listening to Lakewood: What I’ve Heard from Residents, Parents, Teachers, and Students

October 17, 2025

By Monica Bruaw

Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity and the responsibility of listening. I’ve sat down in living rooms, walked our streets, and stood in line at coffee shops, just talking and more importantly, listening to the voices that make Lakewood what it is: our residents, neighbors, parents, teachers, students, and taxpayers.

These conversations have been eye-opening, honest, and at times, emotional. But above all, they’ve been a powerful reminder of what matters most in our community.

Taxpayers Want Their Investments Honored

Most residents I’ve spoken with made one thing clear: they’re not just paying taxes, they’re investing in our future. When Lakewood residents supported the third bond issue in 2014 to complete the school building project, they did so in good faith, believing in the district’s commitment to neighborhood elementary schools.

Those bonds will continue to be paid until 2043, and residents rightly expect the district to uphold its end of that commitment. Yet many feel that the district has not demonstrated real savings by closing a school. To them, it feels like they are being asked to pay more for less and in many ways, they are.

One resident, a new parent, said it best:

“We moved here because of the proximity to the schools. I would like to tell the district to take my money if it means we keep this school here.”

Of course, not every family has the ability or willingness to take on higher taxes. That’s why fiscal prudence is essential. Residents expect transparency, accountability, and meaningful outcomes from district leadership.

As part of a new strategic plan, the district should take a hard look at all its assets and partnerships, including those under the Board of Recreation, to ensure every dollar is being used efficiently. Every expenditure should reflect the community’s priorities, not administrative convenience.

What I heard, time and again, was a call for clarity:

• Clarity in communication about how funds are used.

• Clarity in evidence that those dollars are reaching classrooms, supporting infrastructure, and strengthening public services.

• Clarity in feedback, so residents know their concerns are heard and addressed.

Lakewood taxpayers want responsible stewardship, of both money and trust equally. They want leaders who make decisions carefully, who listen before acting, and who remember that every line item on a budget represents real people and real priorities.

Fiscal responsibility isn’t just about numbers; it’s about values. And it’s time for the district to responsibly reflect the values of the community it serves.

Parents Want Partnership

Parents in Lakewood are deeply invested in their children’s futures. They’re looking for partnership, not just policy that makes them feel like their kids are numbers on a spreadsheet, moved around on a path to database efficiency. I’ve heard concerns about absenteeism, access to mental health support, and the need for stronger communication between schools and families. LGBTQIA+ students need to be supported. Our neurodiverse students need to be supported. Our students with disabilities need to be supported. 

One parent shared, “We’re not looking for perfection. We just want to know that someone’s listening and that our voices are part of the solution.”

That really stuck with me. Families aren’t asking for the impossible. They’re asking for collaboration, transparency, and a seat at the table. And they deserve that.

Teachers Want to Teach and Be Heard

Our educators in Lakewood are some of the most dedicated professionals I’ve ever met. Yet, so many of them feel stretched thin. I spoke with one elementary teacher who said, “We love what we do. But sometimes it feels like we’re being asked to hold up the whole system on our own.”

I’m hearing them ask for respect, fair compensation, and policies that support their ability to teach. They want curriculum decisions to reflect local values and real classroom needs and have input in deciding it. And they’re asking for leadership that sees them as partners, not just employees. Their voices need to be able to join the public conversations without fear of retaliation.

Students Want a Future That Includes Them

When I asked students what they care about, their answers were refreshingly direct. They want to feel safe. They want to be seen. And they want a say in shaping their education.

A high school junior told me, “We talk a lot about preparing for the future, but sometimes it feels like we’re not part of the conversation about our own education.” 

Students today are thoughtful, informed, and ready to lead. We owe it to them to create schools where they feel empowered, not just managed as another number.

What Comes Next?

“Listening to Lakewood” isn’t just a catchy slogan. It’s an ongoing commitment to stay connected, responsive, and accountable to the people who live and learn here.

What I’ve heard so far has only deepened my commitment to serving this community with honesty, empathy, and action. I’ll continue listening, and I hope you’ll continue sharing.

If you’d like to talk about your experiences, concerns, or hopes for Lakewood, my door (and inbox) is always open.

Let’s keep moving forward together.

I'd be honored to earn your vote for Lakewood's Board of Education on November 4.