LAKEWOOD, Ohio — The pandemic has forced many parents to do what they do best: Multitask.
For some, that meant taking care of things around the house while listening in to virtual school board meetings.
The back-to-school routine is almost in full swing.
“Something a lot of people haven’t done in a long time is make school sandwiches,” Bill Fraunfelder said as he made lunch for his family at home.
Fraunfelder loves Lakewood.
“Born and raised. Only went away for college,” he said.
He grew up, went to high school, met his wife and is rasing his kids in his hometown.
“We really can’t get any more active than we already are,” he said.
Both he and his wife are Lakewood High School alumni, but got together 10 years after graduation.
Today, Fraunfelder is a Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation trustee and his wife, Jennifer Murray, sits on the Teacher’s Association Board.
“Being alumni, we consider it an important part of growing up here,” said Fraunfelder.
But even for involved parents like these two, COVID-19 presented room for more engagement thanks to virtual school board meetings.
“It’s very easy to criticize what’s going on, you know, particularly during COVID. There were a lot of tough decisions that needed to be made,” said Murray.
For 18 years, Murray has been a K-5 art teacher in the district.
“It’s very fun. I love it,” she said.
On average, Lakewood City Schools said about 10 to 15 people would show up to in-person school board meetings.
But ever since the district started live streaming the meetings online, hundreds are tuning in.
“Even on an off week when there’s nothing really going on, it might be 125 people that are watching which is great,” said Murray.
In a time full of uncertainty and change within education, school board meetings have become all the more important to stay up-to-date and informed.
“As many people as are able should go to board meetings and be informed,” she said.
The growing civic participation is encouraging.
“You need to realize that you have a voice in the district and that you can make your voice heard,” said Murray.
Their 14-year-old daughter Helen will be a freshman this year. She said starting high school is hard enough, let alone juggling COVID-19.
“Oh my gosh, it’s so scary,” said Helen.
Helping their children adjust is another reason attending meetings matters to them.
For more than a year, the headlines surrounding COVID-19’s impact on school have been largely negative and they say feeling more empowered and engaged in their child’s education is the silver lining.
“I think it’s been extremely helpful,” said Fraunfelder.
“So nice to see that many people involved,” said Murray.
