Lakewood Schools: 'Double-Dipping' to Save District $40,000

District administrators have recommended that the should consider a retire/rehire for Linda Thayer, the former director of the West Shore Career Technical district.

In doing so, the district could save about $40,000.

Thayer, who’s worked under the Lakewood City Schools consortium since 2004 and retired Wednesday, is Superintendent Joe Madak’s and Assistant Superintendent Jeff Patterson’s prime candidate to fill a new role in the district. 

“Linda has done a fantastic job in transforming our current technical program to reflect more of the 21st century learning skills that all of our districts are looking at promoting,” Patterson said. “Our particular program, the way it is now, is really recognized statewide because of the efforts of Linda and her staff.” 

When Patterson references "21st century skills," he's talking about the introduction and implementation of digital tools, such as laptops, smart boards, netbooks, tablets and handheld devices. The idea, he says, is to broaden students’ learning and offer new dynamics to teachers’ curricula. 

And under her new position, Thayer would “continue to take the district down the 21st century skills path,” he said. 

The board will meet July 11 in the gymnasium to consider the re-employment of Thayer.