Local Citizens Discuss Importance of Students' Knowledge
of Local Government
Berkshire Board of Education – Regular Meeting, August 12, 2024
Meeting Details: The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools Complex, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021 at 6:00 pm. The meeting was in person only with no virtual attendance option. A video of the meeting is posted here. View the agenda online and any attached documents here by selecting the meeting tab and then the meeting date. The notation of minutes refers to the time posted on the video for the discussion of the item listed.
Board Members Attendance: The following members attended: John Manfredi, President, Jody Miller, Vice President, and Board members Dan Berman, and Bryan Wadsworth. Linda Stone was absent.
Staff Attendance: John Stoddard, Superintendent. Treasurer Beth McCaffrey was absent.
Others in Attendance: Mrs. Maire Pasquinelli, a new elementary music teacher, Mr. Al Vontorcik, Student Internship Program, Jonathan Tiber, Claridon Township Trustee, Amy Murfello, Marketing and Outreach Manager for Leadership Geauga.
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
The Board voted without discussion to name Jody Miller as Treasurer pro tem in Beth McCaffrey’s absence.
Approval of Agenda - Approved unanimously without discussion
Approval of Minutes for July 22, 2024 - Approved unanimously without discussion
3:30 min Public Participation/Public Comment
Mr. Manfredi invited Jonathan Tiber, Claridon Township Trustee, to the podium. Mr. Manfredi commented that Mr. Tiber was not time-limited “because a request was made.”
Mr. Tiber spoke about “creating an opportunity for students to become interested in local government.” As background, he told them about how, starting in 1922, Ohio townships began forming associations in large part in response to the Ohio General Assembly’s attempts to abolish townships. This early threat was ultimately quashed thanks to the efforts of the Ohio County Township Association, founded in 1928.
He said today lobbyists are still seeking to centralize government and gave an example that earlier this year there was an attempt to strip townships of their local zoning authority. Mr. Tiber explained that the stated reason given for wanting to abolish townships is the lack of citizen interest in supporting local government. He said this assertion is true to a degree. He believes that it is the Geauga County Township Association’s (GCTA) duty to create interest in and educate citizens about local government, starting with young people. He said the GCTA is strong, with over 170 members, including every county department head. He noted that 90% of Geauga County’s population lives in a township.
To spark interest among students, Mr. Tiber offered to come to Berkshire classes to share his knowledge about local government. He said he is experienced in talking with kids and keeping them engaged.
9:15 min Mr. Tiber said a second approach would be to involve students in the Leadership Geauga youth program. A representative from Leadership Geauga, Amy Murfello, Marketing and Outreach Manager, then addressed the Board. She explained that Leadership Geauga is a fully non-profit organization that runs on grants and donations, receiving no government funding. They offer three programs, designed to educate citizens about Geauga County. One of these programs is their Youth Institute. Ms. Murfello explained that the Youth Institute is for rising juniors and seniors from area high schools. The students meet for two weeks in June for three days each. There is also an additional day for students to meet with mentors who work in one of the student’s fields of interest. Orientation Day provides self-skills training where students learn about eye contact, how to shake hands, how to introduce yourself, and how to dress for an interview. The Institute has themed days in such areas as agriculture, business, government, and arts & leisure. The students travel around the county by bus to places related to these themes. They offer hands-on activities and behind the scenes tours where leaders talk about how they got into their roles, the organization’s benefits packages, and current job openings.
There is also team building and leadership training. The students complete a self-assessment tool which is reviewed with a facilitator to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and explore how to use this knowledge to achieve future success.
Ms. Murfello said their 2024 class was their largest to date with 25 students from 8 school districts, including home schoolers. The class traveled 81 miles, visited 20 organizations and businesses, and met with 55 different leaders.
Leadership Geauga is currently partnering with Chester and South Russell Townships and West Geauga Schools. The school identifies students for the program and the townships pay their tuition.
She has been talking with Mr. Tiber about expanding these types of partnerships throughout the county. Mr. Tiber returned to the podium and said that Claridon Township has already agreed to sponsor a Berkshire student to go through the Youth Institute. He has also reached out to the other Berkshire School communities to do the same thing.
Mr. Manfredi asked for clarification about student eligibility and whether home schoolers would be included. Mr. Tiber said the group hasn’t gotten that far in their planning, but said it was something to consider. He noted that the Youth Institute program costs $300 a student, which he considers a manageable sum. Mr. Manfredi suggested eligibility extend to anyone in the Berkshire community and Mr. Liber agreed.
Dr. Stoddard told Mr. Tiber that he would definitely be invited to talk to government classes.
Mr. Manfredi said the Board would be happy to offer a resolution or anything to support this idea. Mr. Tiber said he would talk to Chester Township representatives about how their partnership with Leadership Geauga works and get back to the Board with a suggested course of action.
Mrs. Miller said her daughter completed the Youth Institute course this year and loved it. Mrs. Miller was excited to make the experience available to other worthy students who might not otherwise be able to participate.
17:10 min Claridon resident Vicki List asked for an update on the location of the diesel class for 2024-25 and the status of the school’s dispute with the Geauga Fairgrounds.
Dr. Stoddard said the diesel class will continue in its current location for the time being. The school was granted a stay until the eviction court case is litigated. He said a court-mandated mediation in Trumbull County is scheduled for August 21. The school will be asking for one more year in the building. They have found a new location for 2025 in the ODOT facility across the street from Preston Auto. A grant from the state, sponsored by State Senator O’Brien, will help fund renovation of the new building. The school is waiting to hear about another grant from the Ohio Department of Education which will be used to complete the renovation. He noted the school should have plenty of time to finish the work. Dr. Stoddard also noted the school is partnering with Preston Auto and Great Lakes Cheese about adding components to the program.
Dr. Stoddard said the status of the Geauga Fairground dispute is on hold pending the results of the August 21 mediation session. The court combined mediation talks for both the Fairground water and eviction disputes into a single session on August 21.
Observer Note: As of August 27, the Board informed this Observer that the talks among the parties are ongoing. More detailed information about both disputes is available in the Observer Reports for the Berkshire Board of Education meetings on June 10, 2024 and April 15, 2024.
20:05 min Treasurer’s Report
Financial Statements
The Treasurer Pro Tem submitted a statement to the Board and the Superintendent showing the revenues and receipts from whatever sources derived, the various Appropriations made by the board, the expenditures and disbursements therefrom, the purposes thereof, and the balances remaining in each fund. The financial statements for the period ending July 2024 have been submitted subject to audit and include: Financial Summary, Appropriations and Revenue Summary, Check Register Recap, and Bank Reconciliation per ORC 3313.29.
Observer Note: See Financial Statement details in the meeting agenda available on-line.
Financial Amendments
The Board unanimously approved without discussion the following Appropriation Changes:
Athletics - General + $10,000.00
Safety Grant AG + $ 5,901.41
21:30 min Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Stoddard introduced Mrs. Maire Pasquinelli, a new elementary music teacher. She is a recent graduate of Baldwin Wallace with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She did her student teaching at Cloverleaf Schools and is excited to work at Berkshire Schools.
Dr. Stoddard noted she is joining a great music department that has increased student music participation by 400% since moving into the new building.
The Superintendent invited Mr. Al Vontorcik to speak about the student internship program which is in its third year. The program brings in three students for paid summer internships to learn IT skills that could be applicable after graduation. He said the program encourages diverse experiences, noting that Interns worked on phone upgrades, updating all of the school’s 2,000 chrome books, and updating and upgrading staff laptops.
Rising senior Noah Valentino, one of the interns, spoke about his experience. In addition to the work phones and computers upgrades, he said he got his CPR certification, saw how maintenance functions, ran cables to a new tech space, and learned how to program the school’s digital signage around the school. He thanked the Board and Mr. Vontorcik for the opportunity. Mr. Berman asked Noah what project he was most proud of. He said he liked working on the phones and learning how they talk to each other and to the outside. Mrs. Miller asked what he learned that would aid him in his career path. Noah said that he learned that there’s a lot more to do in IT than just sitting at a laptop. Seeing the variety of applications made him want to do cyber-security instead of programming. Dr. Stoddard praised the interns’ work. He noted the phone upgrades have enhanced security because staff don’t have to dial “9” for an outside line and if 911 is called, the dispatcher can see the room number of the caller.
30:19 min Personnel
The Board unanimously approved without discussion the requested personnel changes and additions for classified and certified staff as listed in the meeting minutes.
30:40 min K-12 Student Handbook
The Board unanimously approved without discussion the 2024-2025 K-12 student handbook.
31:05 min Payment in lieu of Transportation
The Board unanimously approved payment per student in lieu of transportation to three families for 2024-2025.
Dr. Stoddard explained that the school is required to provide transportation to students living in the Berkshire School district even if they attend a private school if the drive is within a half hour of that school. If that is impractical, the school is required to pay for student’s transportation at an amount determined by the state.
Mrs. Miller asked if the number of students is similar to other years. Dr. Stoddard replied yes and that it’s a “crazy process” where students have to apply for transportation by September, noting that there may be more student requests in September.
32:45 min Medication Dispensing
The Board unanimously approved without discussion the office staff and all certified staff at the high, middle, and elementary schools and early childhood center who have completed the Public School Works (PSW) courses required to dispense medication.
33:20 min Annual Report to the Board on Nutrition Standards in the District
Dr. Stoddard notified the Board that for the 2024-2025 school year, the District is in compliance and enforcing all nutrition standards as outlined in the state law and USDA regulations (whichever is stricter). These standards are detailed in Board Policies:
This was informational only. No Board vote was necessary.
34:00 min Contract Approval
The Board unanimously approved the contract for Auburn Career Center for the 2024-2025 school year for its Medium & Heavy Technician program. Dr. Stoddard said the contract is for a diesel program instructor for the school year. According to the contract in the meeting minutes, the program is planned to continue to be taught at Berkshire’s facility at 14259 Claridon Troy Road at a base cost of $19,792.02. An additional per student cost for OSHA-10 certification, books and supplies will be $433.00.
34:30 min Modular Contracts
The Board approved a contract with Millstone Management Group for the Pre-K Modular Site Utilities package as the lowest responsible bidder and authorizing execution of the contract with the contractor as listed.
Mr. Manfredi asked when work would begin. Dr. Stoddard said Millstone is still waiting for final approval from the state on their drawings. They are ready to go after the Board approves the contract and state approval, which Dr. Stoddard expects in about a week.
36:10 min Old Business
Dr. Stoddard repeated that the school is scheduled for a mediation session about both the water and eviction disputes with the Fairgrounds on August 21. The appeals court has asked that the school board president, vice president, treasurer, and Dr. Stoddard attend. The goal is to resolve both issues at this meeting.
36:55 min New Business
Dr. Stoddard said he and Mr. Manfredi will be going to Lakeland Community College to meet with their president to discuss potential opportunities with welding programming. The school is looking for support for the welding component of their ag-ed and diesel programs.
Mr. Manfredi said it is an expansion of existing programs in order for students to learn welding.
Dr. Stoddard confirmed again that the diesel program is planning to move to the ODOT facility next year. He said the course will shift its focus from transportation diesel
(medium and heavy trucks) to an industrial power/technology pathway (which is an agricultural-ed pathway). Through partnerships with Preston Auto, Great Lakes Cheese and Auburn Career Center, including internships, students will be able to apply their diesel skills to both the manufacturing and transportation sides of businesses. Students will graduate with an industry-recognized credential.
39:10 min Board Discussion
Next meetings will be Monday, September 9 and October 14, 2024. All meetings are at 6:00 PM at the Berkshire Board of Education Auditorium, 14155 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, Ohio 44021.
39:33 min Executive Session
No executive session called.
40: min Meeting was adjourned
Name of Observer: Rooney Moy
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Submitted 8/28/2024
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