Mission

Our Purpose

Friends of Lakewood Schools is a nonprofit organization based in Lakewood, Ohio, dedicated to supporting the success of the Lakewood City School District. Our mission is to advocate for quality education and raise awareness about the unique value of our schools. By engaging stakeholders, we strive to ensure that Lakewood Schools continue to thrive as a cornerstone of the community, playing a vital role in shaping the future of education in our densely populated city.

Together, we work towards sustained excellence in education and community.

Meet the Team

We are entirely an entirely volunteer organize made up of community parents

Founder & Board Member

Jeff McCourt

A proud Lakewood resident of five years and father of two children in the local public school system, Jeff McCourt puts family and community at the center of everything he does. You can often find him on the local playing fields volunteering his time as a coach for youth football, basketball, and rugby teams.

Jeff’s passion for supporting his neighbors extends deep into the Lakewood and Greater Cleveland area, where he has founded, volunteered with, and served as a director for several nonprofit and civic organizations. Most recently, he was appointed to Lakewood’s Complete and Active Streets Education & Advisory Board (CASE), helping guide the city’s Active Transportation, Safe Streets for All, Climate Action, and ADA Transition plans. He also actively supports local social enterprise initiatives, recently serving as a judge for the 2026 Impact Investing Pitch Competition at Case Western Reserve University’s Fowler Center.

Professionally, Jeff carries this mission-driven focus into his work as an entrepreneur, former B Corp CEO, and business lawyer, advising high-growth companies on strategy and sustainability through his firm, Southshore Partners.

Board Member

Anson Hall

Anson Hall is a proud Lakewood resident and parent of three. A strong believer in the power of public education, he is committed to supporting Lakewood's schools and strengthening civic engagement. Professionally, Anson serves in a community engagement role at Destination Cleveland. A longtime community volunteer, he previously volunteered with LakewoodAlive and now serves on both the Lakewood Democratic Party County Central Committee and the Lakewood Family YMCA Advisory Board.

Board Member

Brittany Brocker

Brittany Brocker is a mother of two Emerson Elementary students who firmly believes that flourishing public schools are the heart of a strong community. A nine-year Lakewood resident, Brittany brings a track record of local advocacy strengthening Lakewood's civic and education systems. She has served as Emerson PTO Communications Chair, registered voters with the League of Women Voters, and championed pedestrian safety and green space preservation.

Most recently, Brittany served as a volunteer during the May 2026 school levy campaign when she and her family canvassed 500+ homes to strengthen Lakewood's public education system. A trained nurse and newly elected Democratic County Executive Committee member representing Lakewood's 3F voting precinct, Brittany bridges divides to build an energized, unified community where every Lakewood voice is represented.

Legal Counsel

Ryan McNeil

Ryan McNeil is a local attorney, an advocate for transparent government, and the proud father of two Lincoln Elementary students. A Lakewood resident for six years, Ryan practices law in Northeast Ohio and is deeply committed to supporting vibrant, strong local public schools and ensuring government decisions remain open and accountable to the community. As a dedicated father, Ryan volunteers as a coach for his daughters' Lakewood softball team.

Driven by a strong dedication to public service, Ryan regularly volunteers with Community Legal Aid in Akron, providing pro bono legal representation to low-income residents across the region. He serves as pro bono legal counsel for FLS, offering his expertise entirely without compensation because he firmly believes in transparent governance and the fundamental principle that public bodies must make decisions openly—as required by the Ohio Open Meetings Act. Through his legal advocacy and community involvement, Ryan works to ensure every Lakewood resident has a clear voice and a transparent government.

Who we serve

We represent all stakeholders within the Lakewood community, including students, faculty, parents, residents, local business owners and taxpayers, who believe that Lakewood Schools can become a national leader and a model for outstanding public education. A key function of Friends of Lakewood Schools is to promote and advocate for strategic planning, good governance, community engagement and accountability within the Lakewood Schools and by the Lakewood Board of Education. We work to raise awareness to the community, ensure accountability and create opportunities for engagement.

The future of Lakewood

We are a non-partisan, local non-profit formed by Lakewood residents who care about the future of Lakewood and its children. We expect that much work is in store for our organization and our community this Fall 2025. With our collective efforts, we know that a brighter future is possible for our children and our community.