Scott Cooper looks over documents at a recent Lakewood Village Board of Trustees meeting. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

You could say that Scott Cooper is civic minded.

The recently-retired Southwestern Central School principal decided to run for election, in November, for a seat on the Lakewood Village Board of Trustees.

And won.

In his new role as a politician, his civic duties will continue, and he will be able to give back to his community.

He said when the opportunity presented itself, he had skill sets that he had developed in his 36 years in education.

“Being a long-term resident of Lakewood, it’s just the opportunity to give back,” Cooper said.

Giving back is what drew him in to pursue the political opportunity. Now he is at the point in his life where he can do something a little different.

“I love Western New York, The Village of Lakewood. I lived here pretty much all my life,” Cooper added.

Being an educator and now a politician, he said, the roles have their similarities. As an educator, he has worked with parents, and the community doing whatever it took to promote a safe and strong academic school district.

As a village trustee he wants to promote a strong, safe community. And he brings with him to the board of trustees, experience working with contracts, experience in contract negotiations, and experience with policy making and experience with policy interpretation.

As a trustee Cooper said that he is committed to ensuring a strong fiscal responsibility, focusing on safety as well as promoting the health and well being of the village residents.

“I will be transparent and act as a liaison who will listen to the concerns of different resident groups in order to ensure all voices are heard across our community,” Cooper said before the November 2025 elections.

Being an educator, Cooper said as a trustee he has to be visible, bring a positive energy, and a calm while gathering concerns and praises. He said a growth mindset has to be maintained.

“I want to take all of the positive things that Mayor (Randy) Holcomb, and the trustees have done for the village, and continue to build on that (direction),” Cooper said. “I feel fortunate to be able to call Lakewood my home since 1970.”

In retirement, he said, when not doing village business, he will spend more time visiting with his adult children, and working on house projects.

Holcomb said he very happy that Cooper was elected to the board.

“He recently retired as a Principal from Southwestern Central School District, and was eager to join village government. As a lifelong resident of the village, Scott is well aware of items before the Board of Trustees and we look forward to his participation. Southwestern’s retirement is the Lakewood Board of Trustees gain,” Holcomb said.