10 years ago 1998
In the 13 years Wayne Robertson has run the Lakewood schools, the district has undergone tremendous growth. Now its his turn. The Lakewood superintendent announced this week that he will be the newest assistant superintendent in the Edmonds School District. This will take me in a different direction and offer me some experience with a large organization, Robertson said, understating the change. He goes from a district with 2,300 students to one with more than 21,000. As assistant superintendent, Robertson will run a part of the Edmonds School District that is nearly three times the size of Lakewood. Robertson feels a more important distinction in his new job is a chance to work with educators who are recognized around the state and even the country for their innovation in education. They are recognized leaders in educational reform, he said. Edmonds schools have used performance-based education standards for 10 years. Robertson said its a direction many area school districts are taking now. Lakewood is one of those. And Robertson is himself a leader in school reform. He brought a new style of decision-making to the district. He is known for his work in site-based decision making, noted Lakewood High School Principal Kris McDuffy. His resignation comes on the heels of a successful, if drawn out, campaign to pass a maintenance and operations levy. The levy request was endorsed by 66 percent of Lakewood voters after failing with only 50 percent in February. More importantly, he leaves behind schools now known for their focus on learning. We have basically enhanced programs that were lost by the early levy failures or that never existed, he said. I never really expected the real depth, caring and commitment that I found in Lakewood, said McDuffy, who was hired by Robertson nine years ago.

25 years ago 1983
On May 17, voters in the Lakewood School District will be asked to decide on a special levy for collection in 1984. The recent court decision mandating that the state provide 100 percent funding does not require action until July of 1984. Therefore, it will not affect the levy. Lakewood, like other public school districts across the state, has never received full funding from the state for basic programs, yet the state requires that these services be provided, said John Berglund, public information officer for Lakewood. The levy will not cover the entire shortfall in state funding, but it will help keep the basic programs operating. The levy will cost taxpayers about $1.43 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The district is currently operating under a levy that will expire before the new one takes effect. The current levy costs taxpayers $1.30 per $1,000. The increase of 13 cents per $1,000 will allow Lakewood to continue to operate classes at reasonable levels, improve on building maintenance and custodial help, maintain transportation of students to and from school and help support handicapped education. Levy money will also be used to update textbooks at the elementary level, library books at grades 6, 7 and 8 and increase computer education at both the elementary and secondary levels.

50 years ago 1958
Two of the most illustrious greats of boxing history, Max Baer and Joe Louis, will make a personal appearance at Fergies Thriftway on Friday, May 2, between 2:30-3:30 p.m. Both men will be talking boxing, signing autographs and handing out pictures. This is the first time two former Worlds Heavyweight Champions have traveled together into the Northwest and marks one of the first times Joe Louis, the famed Brown Bomber, has ever made an extensive personal appearance tour. The last time Baer and Louis spent any length of time together was the night of Sept. 24, 1935, at Yankee Stadium; 83,150 fight fans poured into Yankee Stadium to watch one of the greatest fights of all time. Max Baer, properly named the Clown Prince of Fistiana, has made several appearances in the Northwest, he appeared on behalf of the Thriftway stores several months ago. A great crowd pleaser, Max is extremely fond of children.