City, Schools Sign Memorandum of Understanding

The city of Lakewood and the Lakewood School District will be sharing buildings with each other.

Again.

For the past couple years, a legal question over insurance liability has prevented the partnership.

But on Tuesday, the Lakewood School Board passed a memorandum of understanding that will allow the city to use its facilities.

Think block clubs and civil service exams.

Meanwhile, just east on Detroit Avenue, Lakewood City Council passed its own measure that will allow the school district to use its facilities.

Think the Lakewood Park Women’s Pavilion.

Officials said that for years there’s been an “informal” partnership between the two entities, but the effort was recently hindered by legal hang-ups.

“In this day and age, a government agency like city, and the schools must position themselves well so that we can share services and save costs,” said Jeff Patterson, the Lakewood Schools superintendent.

The idea is that each entity will provide the facility and staff it, if necessary. 

“This allows us to do some things without changing our bylaws and policies,” Patterson said. “It’s common sense and it saves the taxpayers money.”

He said that the solution to the insurance questions is that the visiting party will bring their own liability insurance with them. 

“We were able to work this out,” Patterson added. “We wanted to be a partner with the city and I know they wanted to be a partner with us.” 

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers agreed.

“We do have some pressing opportunities to use school facilities,,” he said, pointing to the upcoming civil service exams. 

“We’ve always had good relations with the school board. It made sense to get things in writing.”