Spark

Mastering the Plan

The Lakota School Board proposed the construction and redesigning of the 21 buildings in the district. A bond issue and a levy, which will raise property income taxes, are being placed on the ballot for Nov. 4, which if passed, will fund the project.

Annabelle McCarty, News Editor • October 13, 2025

The Lakota Local School District plans on making major changes to their buildings and grade level distribution in upcoming years through the Master Facilities Plan (MFP), if their bond issue and Permanent...

Lakota Litigates

The Lakota Local School Board of Education voted to join a lawsuit against the state of Ohio over the EdChoice voucher program, after a 3-2 vote at the emergency meeting on March 12.

Luke Viviano, News Editor • May 18, 2025

On March 12 the Lakota Local School Board held an emergency meeting to discuss and vote on the Lakota Education Association’s (LEA) proposal to join the “Vouchers Hurt Ohio” lawsuit, which has been...

Busing Brought Back to Lakota Freshmen

Alexandra Fernholz • January 18, 2020

story and photography by Alexandra Fernholz | additional photography by Riley Higgins Jan. 18, 2020 marks the ninth year since busing was available to Lakota high schools. However, due to a recent board...

Bringing Back Busing

In a unanimous vote, the Lakota Local School Board voted to bring back busing for freshman, which was previously eliminated in 2011. The board decided between multiple plans, including plans to reinstate busing for all high school students. However, busing for only freshman was ultimately decided.

Brayden Barger, Nicco Morello, and Rebecca Breland • November 19, 2019

video by Brayden Barger and Nicco Morello | photography by Rebecca Breland The Lakota School Board voted unanimously to reinstate busing to both Lakota Freshman Schools starting in the 2020-2021 school...

Spark Candidate Night

Anna Mullins • October 24, 2019

story by anna mullins | photography by riley higgins and andrew marshall On a rainy night in late October, they gathered. Community members, parents, students, and administrators all came together in...

Lakota School Board Candidate Night 2019

SBN takes you to the scene of Lakota's Candidate Night! Meet the four candiates: Ray Murray, James Hahn, incumbent Julie Shaffer, and incumbent Lynda O'Connor!

Jake Ratliff, Brayden Barger, Nicco Morello, and Riley Higgins • October 22, 2019

Video by Brayden Barger and Nicco Morello | photography by riley higgins On October 21, the Lakota East Spark hosted its biannual Lakota School Board “Candidate Night.” The candidate night is an opportunity...