By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
It seems like lies, deceptions and betrayals abound at the administration building of the Willoughby-Eastlake School District. We were given the following letter Superintendent Patrick Ward sent to all W-E families asking them to challenge the Lake County Commissioners about their decision to give Lake County families a property tax break.
What Superintendent Ward fails to acknowledge is that his school district got over $8 million a year in the last property tax sexennial revaluation without a vote of the taxpayers. He deceptively states that the tax credits the Commissioners gave the citizens will cost the school district “$12 million over time”. We have been told that the tax credits to citizens amounted to $2 million a year. Therefore, the school district netted $6 million a year without a vote of the taxpayers. The school district will receive “$36 million over time” without a vote of the taxpayers.
For the record: The Willoughby-Eastlake City School District received an overall rating of 3.5 stars on the 2024-2025 Ohio School Report Cards.
Here is Superintendent Ward’s Employment Contract: (If you see him with a big smile on his face, you will know why.)
Update May 11, 2026
A Lake County patriot sent us the following information about Ward’s compensation package:
“Lake County school District Superintendent’s contract is insane. $288k for 245 work days, 15% deferred tax annuity, $1 million life insurance, $600/month expense account, unlimited sick time, property taxes pay for his Medicare payroll tax, 30 days paid vacation, Side Hustle…Ward shall be entitled to take a number of days per contract year without loss of pay for consulting, teaching, lecturing or other education-related professional purposes. Net worth of 1.45 million. All earned while employed in education.”
Now the BIG question is: Which County Commissioner blinks first, and fails to follow their oath of office and protect the private property of citizens? We know that Commissioner John Plecnik is adamantly opposed to the increasing property taxes. Let’s see if Commissioner Morgan McIntosh, or Commissioner Morris Beverage “takes a knee”. My bet is on Beverage caving first. I hope he proves me wrong, and he takes the side of the seniors in this school district.
We would suggest that all concerned citizens contact all of the school board members and Mr. Ward and express your concerns about the demands to not support the continued reduction in property taxes.
https://www.weschools.org/board-of-education
Here is an 2021 article we wrote about the Willoughby-Eastlake School District. It shows a pattern of deception in the school district.
Categories: Education, Lake, Lake County - General, Lake County Politics, Real Estate Taxes, Uncategorized