The Lake County ESC Governing Board is a policy-making body that functions according to mandates of state law.

The County Board of Education meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 PM at Auburn Career Center.

PRESIDENT Mr. Robert J. Dawson was elected to the Lake County Educational Service Center Governing Board in 1996 and is currently serving as the President of the governing board. He also serves on the Lake County Fair Board and sits on the Ohio Fair Managers Association Board of Directors. Mr. Dawson is a member of the Auburn Career Center Board of Education, as are all members of the LCESC Governing Board. Mr. Dawson is the Program Administrator for Lake County Department of Job and Family Services. He lives in Perry with his wife, Dawn and has three children and one grandchild.
VICE PRESIDENT Mrs. Marilyn Kent was elected to the Governing Board member in 1997 and has frequently served as an officer of the board. Mrs. Kent is a retired teacher, a veteran of 36 years in education having taught in both private and public schools in the county. Her service to the community over the years has been far-reaching. She has been recognized by the American Red Cross for thirty years of service and is an active member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Painesville. She resides in Painesville with her husband, Geoffrey, and their son.
MEMBERS Mrs. Jean Brush has been a member of the LCESC Governing Board since 1990. She is also actively involved in the Painesville Area Habitat for Humanity, building low-cost housing for local families and is active in her church. Seeing children succeed and helping families step up in life are the rewards she receives from her countless hours of volunteerism. Prior community involvement includes service at Forbes House, the YMCA, St. Clair School, the Rape Crisis Center, Lake Hospitals, the courts and Neighboring. Mrs. Brush lives in Painesville with her husband, James. They have two grown children, Dr. James J. Brush and Betsy Chen. They have three grandchildren, Sarah, Adrian and Colin.
Mr. David Foote, Sr. has served on the LCESC Governing Board for 10 years, three of those years as board president. Prior to his tenure with the Service Center, he served on the Madison Board of Education for fourteen years. Active in numerous community activities, including Pride In Madison, Mr. Foote was named Madison-Perry Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year in 1993. Mr. Foote and his wife Shirley live in Madison and own the David Foote, Sr. Insurance Agency. They have four grown sons and ten grandchildren.
Brian Kolkowski is the newest member of the Lake County Educational Service Center Governing Board being elected in 2007. Brian works as an attorney and a director for two local companies. Brian previously served as a board member for one of the local school districts in Lake County, and has served our country honorably as a United States Naval Officer. Brian holds both a doctorate from Case Western Reserve University and a law degree from the University of Toledo. Brian is an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts and with local youth softball. Brian lives in Leroy Township with his wife and two children, who attend schools in the area.

PHILOSOPHY

A Governing Board is a legal entity for providing a system of public education within a geographic area of the State of Ohio. The system was created by, and is governed by, State statutes. Members of a Board are, therefore, State officers chosen by citizens to represent them and the State in the legislative management of the local schools.

The Governing Board has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and for meeting the desires of the citizens. While the Board has an obligation to determine and assess citizen desires, it is understood that when the citizens elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of specified educational programs, they, at the same time, endow their representatives with the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.

The Board declares and, thereby, reaffirms its intent to:

1. Maintain two-way communications with citizens of the Educational Service Center. The Board shall keep them informed of the progress and problems of the Educational Service Center, and the citizens shall be urged to bring their aspirations and concerns about the Center to the attention of this body.
2. Establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals.
3. Act as a truly representative body for citizens in all matters related to programs and operations. The Board recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the State, but the Governing Board has been assigned specific authority through statute, and the Board shall not relinquish or fail to exercise that authority.