With a service commitment to the Lakewood Board of Education that began in 1986, W. Charles Geiger, III exemplifies for many in Lakewood the quintessential servant of civic engagement and public stewardship. He is seeking another four year term on the Lakewood School Board.

Geiger’s Lakewood Public School roots run deep.

“I am a Lakewood graduate, my three children went through the Lakewood Schools, and I am a Lakewood business owner. I love this community and I believe our schools are an integral part of its strength, its vitality and its warmth,” Geiger notes.

“Under my service and leadership on the Board of Education, we have achieved progress in many areas including student performance, educational opportunities, district facilities, safety and discipline, fiscal accountability and communication…… but we can and must do more. I have high expectations for our schools. Additionally, the state and federal governments are holding us accountable and the stakes are high. I will continue to work on meeting these standards while advocating for change in the state’s ranking system that negatively impacts our community.”

The cognitive, financial and social complexities of public education in a community of multicultural mixed economy are daunting. Yet Geiger clearly understands the success of the Lakewood Public Schools and the rewards from the community’s generous investment in facilities and educational programs will ultimately hinge on the successful integration of economically and socially disadvantaged students into the good order of learning.

“We do have challenges with a more diverse population, says Geiger. “We’re working hard and will never lower our expectations. I believe our new facilities will put us ahead of the game. The children appreciate what new buildings could mean to their education.”

During this intensive period of economic and social restructuring, it is fair to say that the character, commitment and expertise Geiger has brought to the Board of Education have helped the city to defy the odds of disinvestment and secession from public education platforms. Having served as Board president in 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2004, Geiger commands a responsible and wise presence that generates continuing confidence in the leadership of the community’s most critically essential public asset.

Should Geiger be elected to another four year term, the following initiatives and goals set forth by the board will be the primary focus of his work:

Improving student achievement through effectively integrating the use of data and technology on a district wide basis. We must work to achieve an "Excellent" state designation.

 

Providing quality educational opportunities for all students.

 

Maintaining a fiscally responsible operation, staying off the ballot during the 2007-08 school year, thus, extending the operating levy cycle one more year, for a total of six years, doubling the three years promised.

 

Completing the Phase II renovations of Emerson Elementary School, Horace Mann Elementary School and the west wing of Lakewood High School in a timely manner and on budget.

 

Continuing the district’s emphasis on implementation of the recommendations of The Student Conduct, School Climate and School Safety Committee.

 

 

“Communication is a significant part of the work,” says Geiger. “With the building program and student conduct/school climate initiatives, schools have found great success in strong communication and community engagement.”

“During my time on the Board of Education, we have accomplished many things. We have met the challenges of funding, of changes in education and of our facilities. Together, with our community, we have found solutions.”

When asked why a person with financial means should send a child to Lakewood Public School rather than a private school, Geiger makes a case on the basis of the opportunities provided in the district for those with high IQs or special needs. From advance placement programs to special group instruction, Geiger believes Lakewood City Schools are superior to the private environments. He is firmly convinced of the value music and arts programming delivers to students and the total community. He believes the schools managed to get slightly ahead of the curve with the building and conduct initiatives.

“We do have an orderly school environment. But we can’t do it alone. We work very well with the city and the police chief. Safety and security are always parts of that conversation,” he contends. He is pleased with the significant security measures that include cameras galore with live feeds to the police station.

As president of Geiger’s Clothing and Sports, the finest looking business on Lakewood’s Main Street, Geiger is, to no one’s surprise, always an impeccable gentleman in his appearance and manner. While Geiger is especially proud of his work on funding and building four brand new school buildings in Lakewood, on time and on budget, he remains especially attentive to the safety and discipline interests of the community expects to students to honor at all times.

“A safe, civil climate of teaching and learning - that’s the choice people are making,” says Geiger. “Our whole community has to wake up to a code of civility.”

When Geiger states firmly in reference to student conduct in the schools and on the streets, “We never want to excuse uncivil behavior,” he evokes moral gravity. When he declares, “We can never let up on the safety issue – bullying, lack of respect for life and property. We’re going to be all over that,” he speaks with a compelling determination and sincerity that can come only when the whole man knows and manifests the values of civility and good order in his very being.