School Board Postpones Tax Levy & Millage Vote
Until February 26, 2025 to Consider Voter Feedback
Berkshire Board of Education Special Meeting - February 10, 2025
Meeting Details: The meeting was held February 10, 2025 in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021 at 6 pm. A video of the special meeting is posted here. When this report was published on February 26, 2025, the video had been viewed 367 times. A video of the regular meeting taking place immediately after the special meeting is available here and had been viewed 252 times when this report was published. 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 members Dan Berman, Linda Stone, and Bryan Wadsworth.
Staff Attendance: John Stoddard, Superintendent, and Beth McCaffrey, Treasurer
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda - unanimously approved without discussion.
Minutes - None presented for approval.
1:35 min Board Discussion
Mr. Manfredi asked the Board and community to reach out to two school district families who were recently affected by tragedy: the Layman family whose home was destroyed and the Hess family whose son was diagnosed with leukemia.
2:00 min Revenue Discussion
The Special Meeting’s purpose was to hear public input about the potential revenue-raising options available to the school. Voters had rejected the renewal of the district’s 2.5 mill permanent improvement (PI) levy in the last two elections. As a result, the district’s five-year budget forecast predicts general fund deficits in years four and five.
Dr. Stoddard began the meeting with a review of the four revenue-raising options the Board discussed at the January 22, 2025 meeting:
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A 4.9 mill operating levy
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An additional 0.5% earned income tax (bringing the total to 1.5%)
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2.5 mill Permanent Improvement (PI) Levy
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2.5 mill inside millage transfer from the general to the permanent improvement fund.
Dr. Stoddard said the Board determined that times of collection for a 0.5% earned income tax made it an undesirable option.
Dr. Stoddard then discussed the taxes paid to the school district by typical homeowners over the last three years. The review was followed by a chart that projected the property tax implications for a new operating levy, new PI levy and an inside millage shift. For every $100,000 of market value, a homeowner’s cost would be:
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$171.50 for a 4.9 mill operating levy
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$87.50 for a 2.5 mill PI levy
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$76.16 for an inside millage transfer
Dr. Stoddard said the question before the Board was whether to attempt one of the following:
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Place a 4.9 mill operating levy on the November ballot
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Place a 2.5 mill PI levy on the November ballot
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Vote to shift 2.5 inside mills from the general fund to the PI fund.
The Board determined that times of collection for a 0.5% earned income tax made an undesirable option.
10:40 min Mr. Manfredi invited the Board to ask questions.
Mr. Wadsworth asked Mrs. McCaffrey to discuss how State funding for public schools hasn’t changed since 2022.
Mrs. McCaffrey said, yes, schools are being funded at 2022 levels and that it seems clear the State is shifting funding burdens back to the taxpayers. She also noted that 2025 funding isn’t keeping up with inflation. This year, public schools are expecting the State to fund 39% of their costs with the remainder paid for by local schools.
Mr. Wadsworth also pointed out that the school district did not receive the expected $1M in tax revenue from the Orwell/Trumbull pipeline project.
Mrs. McCaffrey noted that the school did receive additional money from property reappraisals. However, because she had predicted the extra money in the 5-year forecast, she does not consider it a “windfall.”
Additionally, the extra revenue property tax revenue has been offset by the almost $1M in uncollected taxes from the Orwell/Trumbull pipeline. These taxes were unpaid and still show as delinquent. Mrs. McCaffrey said the bigger issue is that all the value of the pipeline disappeared because they filed for bankruptcy.
Mr. Manfredi asked Mrs. McCaffrey if the school ever got an explanation for why the pipeline money was uncollected. She and others have asked the county repeatedly for a reason and have been told, “we’ll look into it.” In her own investigation of the matter with the Department of Taxation, Mrs. McCaffrey found that the pipeline company filed for bankruptcy; sold off the assets and not the liabilities. Her understanding is that taxes are never forgiven in bankruptcy. She said many entities- the county, townships as well as the schools- are losing out on income.
She plans to ask the County Budget Commission again for an explanation at the school’s budget hearing at the end of February and hopes others will ask as well. Reviewer Note: Berkshire appeared before the Budget Commission for their Budget Hearing on February 20, 2025. A report on this hearing will be available at https://www.lwvgeauga.org. County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said that his office has spent hundreds of hours working to get the delinquent tax money from the Orwell Trumbull Pipeline, and he is currently awaiting a decision on the matter from the judge in this case.
Mr. Wadsworth asked Mrs. Stone what was going on with school vouchers. Reviewer Note: Mrs. Stone was appointed as the Board’s Legislative Liaison to the Ohio State School Board Association at the Organizational meeting on January 13, 2025. Mrs. Stone replied that a change to school vouchers in Ohio last year took a billion dollars in property tax money from public schools and gave it to private schools. She said she can’t stress enough that citizens need to tell legislators to stop doing that. She noted that Berkshire has 67 kids using vouchers and that 62 of these students have been going to private or charter schools since before the voucher system. Mrs. Stone and Mrs. McCaffery said only 10% of the school population is getting voucher money. They noted the 90% not receiving any of the billion-dollar pool, including Berkshire, are greatly impacted.
Mrs. Stone said it appears that the State this year will be funding only 39% of public school costs with the remaining 61% paid for by local communities.
Mrs. Stone also pointed out that voucher schools have fewer restrictions and reporting requirements, and these are expenses public schools must incur. She said the lack of reporting also makes comparisons between public and private schools virtually impossible.
21:00 min Public Comment
The public was invited to address the Board, providing their name and township:
#1 Dan Whiting, Burton Township resident & Burton Trustee
Q - For which schools can vouchers be used? Were you saying that St. Helen’s School is not accountable?
A - Mrs. McCaffrey said vouchers can be used at all schools. All schools have accountability, but private and charter schools do not have the same number of state mandates or reporting requirements as public schools.
Mr. Whiting said Burton Township has faced the same dilemma with collecting taxes for the Orwell/Trumbull pipeline. Mrs. McCaffrey noted that the pipeline delinquency has “been out there. The disturbing thing is that the value is gone now.”
Mr. Whiting also noted that in the past two tax periods, Burton Township has given tax money back to taxpayers. He said the township would not be giving anything back in the coming year as they have road obligations that need to be addressed. Dr. Stoddard noted the school doesn’t have the flexibility that townships do for providing services like road repair. Burton could potentially defer road repairs, but the school can’t put off providing student services for such expenses as special education.
Mr. Whiting said Burton Township is at the point of having to put another levy on the ballot due largely to inflation. He asked that the school consider the surrounding township’s levy plans when they make their own decision.
#2 Jonathan Tiber, Claridon Township
Q - Does the school need approval from the County Budget Commission for the 2.5 inside millage transfer?
A – Dr. Stoddard replied, yes, the school has to demonstrate need or the Budget Commission won’t approve it. If the transfer is not approved, it is “off the table” for this year.
#3 Carolyn Snyder, Burton Township
Q - What is the school doing to cut expenses? She “knows it’s a top-heavy administration.” Does the school plan to cut or restructure that part of the school?
A – Dr. Stoddard questioned the statement about being top heavy with administrators, noting that Berkshire is comparatively average for administrator per pupil ratio in Ohio. He said they try to cut back every way they can with the least impact on the classroom. He noted further that the district:
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Hasn’t raised school fees in 15 years
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Has refinanced the debt payments for the new building 3 times, down to the current 2.5 mills
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Has cut back on budgets
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Has cut back on field trips
Dr. Stoddard referred the audience to the handout available at the auditorium entrance that listed the expenses out of the school’s control, such as the number of students with individual education plans (IEPs). He noted that 14% of their students have IEPs, and the 60 most expensive students with IEPs cost the school $2.7 million a year. The school receives only a $500,000 credit from the State for these students.
He noted that the school is also responsible for court-placed students and teaching programs for any hospitalized student, which can be very expensive.
Q - How many administrators are there in the district? Now that they’re all under one roof, why can’t there be one principal?
A – Dr. Stoddard said there are 9 total: 1 principal and 1 assistant principal at the high school and middle school, a principal at the elementary school, a special education director, a curriculum director, a grant writer and himself. He explained that having a single principal for their 1,400 students would put a lot of pressure on classroom teachers because there would be only one person to deal with misbehaving students. The burden would shift to the teacher and take away from their role in the classroom.
Ms. Snyder said she can’t afford a tax increase and hopes the Board will look for other ways to come up with the money.
#4 Oliver Tiber, Burton Township
Q - Is the plan to vote on one of the 3 options tonight? Can he assume that the Board will vote on the inside millage transfer?
A – Mr. Manfredi said yes, the issue is on their agenda. Mrs. Miller said the Board wants to hear everyone out tonight and based on what they hear, they may need to discuss the issue further.
Mr. Tiber said it sounded like they were leaning toward the inside millage transfer and noted that such a decision would bypass voters’ opinions voiced in the last 2 elections. He thinks the public has made their intentions “pretty clear” and bypassing that is not ethical. He believes any tax increase request should go back to the voters.
#5 Marilyn Persick, Burton Township
She stated that she’s always supported the schools regardless of whether her 4 children attended Berkshire Schools.
Q - Did you explore why the last two levies didn’t pass? Is there a time limit for moving the inside millage, for when the school needs their funds?
She cited conversations with school Board members from other districts who emphasized the need for public engagement, using Toledo Schools’ recent improvement as an example for success.
She wants the school to get people excited and then ask them to pass a levy. She thinks moving the inside millage without voter buy-in is a bad idea that will divide the community.
#6 Jim Boyd, Thompson Township
Mr. Boyd thinks that if the Board opts for the inside millage transfer, they will never pass a levy again and that it would be “taxation without representation.” He complimented the Board on their past public outreach for the bond issue and believes the Board needs to reach out to the voters and “engage your public” again.
#7 David Ginski, Burton Village
Q - Were any financial decisions made based on pipeline tax revenue? Was the new school built when the pipeline was going through?
A – Mrs. Caffrey said yes, the pipeline funds were part of their planning. The new school was being built around the same time.
Q - He was 100% for the new school. Mr. Ginski wondered how much it costs to maintain the new school, saying he has heard about problems with the elevators and heated sidewalks that don’t work.
A – Dr. Stoddard explained that no tax dollars have been used to fix anything. Everything is still under warranty and contractors are being held accountable for any problems. Initial problems with the elevator, heated sidewalks and icicles have been solved, and everything is now working well.
#8 Scott Reeves, Troy Township
Q – Mr. Reeves said lots of people are upset about the possible inside millage transfer. He said that people support the school even though their children don’t attend. His concern is not just about taxes, but about the right to vote and holding the school Board accountable. He asked the Board not to decide tonight and to come up with better funding ideas.
Mr. Reeves asked if the school could combine some programs such as nursing with other schools? Dr. Stoddard said the nursing program is offered by Kent State whose classroom is on campus.
#9 Vicky List – Claridon Township
Mrs. List asked the Board “not to take the power of voting away from the community that they serve.” She pointed out that the community voted down levies twice and an inside millage transfer would address immediate needs without thinking about the long term. Mrs. List asked the audience of more than 50 residents how many don’t want the Board to vote to “take their rights away?” A majority of the audience raised their hands.
Mrs. List noted that the school received the “windfall” tax money and was not among the townships or schools that returned it.
She said the Board voted to build a preschool and was counting on tuition payments for students from other districts to help pay for it. She said that that plan is now in jeopardy because the State changed the requirements for teaching students with special needs. She noted that this problem was created by the Board, not the community.
#10 Chad Russell, Troy Township
Mr. Russell thanked the Board for everything they did. He confirmed with Mrs. McCaffrey that the original PI levy was from 1989 and that the two levies that were defeated were renewals that would not have raised taxes.
Q - How long would the inside millage transfer last?
A – Mrs. McCaffrey expects an inside millage transfer would take the school out 10 years.
Q - Mr. Russell asked how Berkshire compares with other county schools in percentage of taxes that go to the schools. He said there is a lot of misinformation circulating online about Berkshire’s school taxes being inordinately high and chronic maintenance problems at the new school. He noted that Berkshire residents’ school taxes are average for the county and they have a beautiful new school to show for it.
A – Mrs. McCaffrey said that at 50% Berkshire ranks 3rd out of 5 schools in the county for the percentage of taxes going to schools. Rankings are West Geauga at 47%; Cardinal at 49%; Berkshire at 50%; Chardon at 56%; Kenston at 57%. Reviewer Note: When the amount of both property taxes and income taxes Berkshire residents pay are combined, the district ranks third out of the five Geauga school districts in total amount of taxes paid to schools according to email communication from Mrs. McCaffrey received on February 26, 2025.
#11 John Bonner, Burton Township
Mr. Bonner said the defeat of the two PI levies “should be a wake-up call.” He thinks the failures were from a lack of communication, not a lack of community support. He said that if the Board uses the same mentality that they had with the bond issue, a new levy would pass.
#12 Nathan Ricket, Montville Township
He said he voted for the last school levy and supports fire and police levies as well. He thinks voters need accountability and that they are suspicious of corruption these days. He does not think the school is abusing finances but would like more transparency. He suggested a levy campaign that would “fight to win the people” and offered to help with a campaign. He feels that an inside millage transfer “would be a kick in the teeth” to citizens.
Mr. Rickett complimented Dr. Stoddard on the good job he’s doing and the time he devoted to the bond campaign, especially the time he spent away from his family.
Dr. Stoddard addressed Mr. Rickett’s comments about family time and levy campaigns. He said he enjoys talking with the public about the levies and bond issues. However, he said legislation was passed that restricts the amount of time he’s allowed to campaign. According to lawmakers, he could never turn off when he’s the superintendent and therefore would be using public tax dollars to sway levy votes. Reviewer Note: The following information from the Ohio Attorney General addresses FAQs about using public funds to support the passage of a political subdivision’s levy or bond issues. He said that limitation is the reason he wasn’t allowed to be the public face of the last 2 levy campaigns. He stated he would have “loved to have 50 meetings” and enjoys sitting down and talking to people. However, he was prohibited from doing so, which makes levy campaigns difficult for the district.
Board members are still able to campaign, however.
#13 Brad Wadswoth, Claridon Township
Mr. Wadsworth read a statement from Burton resident Don Hornack: He “believes in school choice. But Ohio’s public school finance was declared unconstitutional decades ago, but has done nothing. The State of Ohio needs to act. In the meantime, Berkshire Schools can’t wait and needs to deal with reality, which is: Voters have rejected the capital improvements twice and there’s no reason to expect that…” they will pass a PI levy a third time. “They can’t wait for the state to fix the grossly unfair situation for public schools. The Board is obligated to take the necessary action to ensure the financial future of the Berkshire school system. Perhaps when we get a new governor who is expected to have a high commitment to educational excellence Berkshire will be a level field to compete fairly with other educational options. Given a level playing field, Berkshire is in an excellent position to be the first choice.”
#14 Ray (last name unintelligible), Burton Township
Q- Did the Board hire a community engagement person to get the word out about school levies?
A – Dr. Stoddard said any school employee falls into that category.
The speaker claimed that Dr. Stoddard had promised there would not be a tax levy after the bond issue vote. He also said Dr. Stoddard told him the new school would save the district money with new lighting and heating, etc. He said he felt he had been lied to.
Dr. Stoddard said he did not lie. He noted that the defeated PI levy would not have raised taxes and if it had passed, the school “would have been fine.” Dr. Stoddard said that new utilities in the new school are indeed saving the district money.
The speaker noted the school had received a 30% “windfall” in taxes from property reappraisals.
Mrs. McCaffrey objected to the characterization of the revenue increase as a windfall, noting that she had forecasted a large 20% tax increase in her 5-year budget.
Mrs. McCaffrey did note that special education expenses are difficult to forecast, and their estimates had been too low.
Dr. Stoddard said the school was not asking for new taxes with the PI levies. He pointed out the speaker’s taxes had gone down. Dr. Stoddard said Mrs. McCaffrey had predicted the tax increase thanks to her careful research. He noted that the district projections for special education costs have been off. The school had not projected $2.7M for 60 kids this year. Mrs. McCaffrey noted that the cost of a student without special needs was $90 a day.
The speaker asked about reducing the number of open enrollment students and administrators as ways to reduce costs. Dr. Stoddard said open enrollment is a “balancing act,” noting that the school accepts just enough open enrollment students to meet the State funding threshold called a guarantee.
#15 Erica O’Neil, Burton Township
Q – She would like the school to explore the income tax option since it seems to be the cheapest one. She said the Geauga County Maple Leaf quoted a rate of $25.00 per $50,000. Ms. O’Neil stated that if the Board chooses the inside millage transfer option, they won’t be able to pass another levy.
A – Mrs. McCaffrey said the Maple Leaf information is wrong. The income tax rate would be 1% of salary or $250.00 per $50,000 of income.
#16 Tim McCaskey, Burton Township
Mr. McCaskey thanked Dr. Stoddard, Mrs. McCaffrey and Mrs. Miller for answering his many questions. He said he knows the decision is not an easy one for the Board.
Q -- What percentage of voters voted in the last election?
A – Dr. Stoddard said he would research the answer.
Q - What is on the chopping block if the funding doesn’t pass?
A – Dr. Stoddard said they would look at what’s “furthest from the classroom”:
Dr. Stoddard said he would hate to cut any workforce programs because they allow students to graduate into well-paying jobs without any debt.
Mr. McCaskey asked for details on the former ODOT facility in Burton, saying he was amazed it wasn’t costing the school anything. Dr. Stoddard said Preston gave the school $750,000 to purchase the property. In addition, Preston will pay the school monthly rent to operate at the site. Students will have an avenue to learn maintenance tech skills and earn automotive certifications. Dr. Stoddard said the school also received a $915,000 state grant to pay for renovations at the ODOT facility which is now called the Berkshire Workforce Development campus.
Q – What is Berkshire’s per student cost?
A – Dr. Stoddard says Berkshire pays a little more than $15,000 per student each year. The state average cost per student is $16,000 with a range of $13,000 to $17,500.
#17 –Isaac Hutchison, Burton
Mr. Hutchison told the Board he’s a 4th generation Berkshire grad, graduating in 2023, and a small business owner. He objects to the Board taking his vote away and said he feels an inside millage transfer is disrespectful. He learned about the importance of the vote from Berkshire and doesn’t want it taken away.
1:32 min Special Meeting Adjourned
Regular Meeting called to order at 7:45 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda - approved unanimously without discussion
Minutes – The Minutes of January 13, 2025 Organizational meeting, January 13, 2025 Regular meeting and January 22, 2025 Special meeting were approved unanimously.
2:00 min Community Partnership
Dr. Stoddard invited Jackie Preston to the stage to praise Preston Auto’s partnership with Berkshire Schools.
Dr. Stoddard presented Ms. Preston with a gift bag prepared by Badger Lab students. The Superintendent reminded the audience that the Preston family made a $750,000 donation for the purchase of what is now called the Workforce Development campus. He said it will give students hands-on experience in auto collision and diesel repair, helping “our kids reach the American dream.”
3:30 min Student/Staff Presentation
High School Presentation
Mr. Jon Franks, High School principal, introduced Agricultural Education (AgEd) teacher Mike Ard and three of his students. He noted that this is the first year of the Agribusiness & Production Systems pathway.
Mr. Ard discussed his course, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, which is an introduction to the Agricultural and Environmental Systems career field. He noted they are trying to build the program, including finding funding through grants and other sources. He said some students have agricultural backgrounds while others do not.
Topics of study include agribusiness systems, biotechnology, animal health and soil and plant science. Mr. Ard said they are collaborating with local businesses, such as Great Lakes Cheese, where students saw the manufacturing side of farming. Students will also learn about the science, art and economics of maple sugaring.
Students spoke about their Berkshire Farms Goat Project, a hands-on experience for students to learn animal management and responsibility. Students also spoke enthusiastically about a recent field trip to the Great Lakes Cheese packing facility.
Mr. Ard said future programming will include the science, art and economics of maple sugaring, including working at the Burton Sugar House, and developing opportunities for supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs). There are also plans to introduce a chapter of the Future Farmers of America at the school.
19:00 min Public Participation/Public Comment
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An unidentified speaker thanked Dr. Stoddard for following through on his promise to start an AgEd program.
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A second unidentified speaker said he was pleased to see Agriculture is again going to be important at the school. As a Berkshire student in the 1970s, he said he had a good experience working at a local dairy farm and thinks it would benefit all kids to “get out and do some real work.”
The same speaker asked if the Board’s decision on raising revenue would be permanent or temporary?
Mr. Manfredi said whichever option they choose would be permanent. He also noted that if the State chose to fund the schools differently in the future, the Board could lower or even eliminate the funding request or millage amount as long as the school is funded. Mr. Manfredi said the Board struggles with how to fund the school. He would not choose to cut School Resource Officers or ZeroEyes (detection of drawn firearms software for the school district’s cameras) because he feels that the children’s safety comes first. He reminded the audience that the school had, in fact, lowered the bond issue millage from the original school loan due to the increase in the number of taxable properties.
Mr. Manfredi made the following additional points about funding:
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According to cleveland.com, Matt Huffman, speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, wants to cut public school funding by $650 million.
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If these funding cuts are made, Berkshire could lose between $300,000 to $500,000.
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Berkshire is on a guarantee. Before the Fair Funding Act (FFA), the school was paid per pupil. The FFA created a guarantee that the State pays. If Berkshire eliminates open enrollment students, their guarantee funding would drop. The school has to be careful with enrollment because the guarantee dollars stay the same regardless of student numbers.
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Governor DeWine is currently discussing dropping the guarantee to 97% of the current level next year and in two years, dropping the amount to 90%.
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As a growing district, Berkshire is doing everything they can to comply with State mandates such as having vocational programs in their building rather than at off-campus locations such as Auburn Career Center. He noted the vocational programs cost money, but they are vital to their kids, because not every child will go to college.
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Berkshire uses Auburn Career Center more than most area schools. However, Auburn is having space problems and can’t always accept students.
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The school has hired a grant writer to find funding for different projects like sidewalks between the school and Burton Village.
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The Board is looking at every avenue to grow their programs and to fund the school. The Board “has a dear love for all our kids and wants them all to be successful.”
Absolutely, Mr. Manfredi answered. He said the school has an educational fund that’s in its infancy. They are growing the fund slowly as the community doesn’t have a “whole lot of people that are billionaires.” They are looking outside the community for people who are willing to fund new and creative ideas. Mr. Manfredi said Dr. Stoddard was brought to the school with the goal of growing their vocational programs and has done everything the Board has asked him to do.
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The same unidentified speaker asked about soliciting the City of Akron, which holds 9,000 acres and is the district’s largest landowner, for a donation.
Mrs. McCaffrey responded that Akron is tax-exempt. She said Akron’s large land ownership has a huge impact on the county tax collections since it inhibits land development.
Mrs. Stone invited the speaker to join their alumni network which is trying to build a group to create a foundation. The next meeting is March 5 at 6:00pm in the school cafeteria.
Mr. Manfredi answered yes. He also thanked the speaker for suggesting that the school approach Akron about a contribution. He hadn’t thought to do it since they are a government entity.
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Nathan Rickett of Montville Township reiterated his offer to help the Board promote and pass a levy. He asked the Board to reject an inside millage transfer, saying a good choice tonight would instill community confidence.
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Carolyn Snyder of Burton asked the Board to consider naming the band room in honor of long-time band director Bob White who died recently. Mr. Manfredi asked Mrs. Stone to investigate the proposal.
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An unidentified speaker said that it sounds like the State is taking the school’s money and confirmed with the Board that the State spent $1 billion on school vouchers last year. She agrees with getting the word out to voters to contact their state legislators to “quit taking our money.”
Mr. Manfredi commented that voters are upset with the Board at the idea of moving unvoted inside millage but not at the State for taking tax money from the schools without approval. He said if the State would fund the schools, there would not be a problem. Mr. Manfredi also pointed out that private and charter schools are not required to report finances to the Budget Commission.
Yes, because they don’t need to have equipment or to pay employee benefits, Mr. Manfredi said. He also noted the difficulty in finding personnel to drive, plow or mow. Mrs. McCaffrey offered to research the cost savings for the speaker.
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Chad Russell of Troy Township said he does not think an inside millage transfer is taxation without representation since voters elected the Board as their representatives to make financial decisions. The public isn’t in a position to figure out how to fund the school. He trusts that whatever the Board decides will be the best thing for the public.
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Ms. Clark of Burton disagreed with Mr. Russell. She said the public has voted twice against the levies, showing what they think and asked the Board not vote for the inside millage transfer.
52:35 min Treasurer’s Report
Financial Statements
The Treasurer has submitted a statement to the board and to 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 January 2025 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 online.
Donations
The Board unanimously accepted without discussion a donation from Kiwanis Club of East Geauga for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) in the amount of $500.00.
Financial Amendments
The Board unanimously accepted without discussion the following amendments:
Title II grant +3,000.00
Misc. Grants + 200.00
NEOnet On Behalf of Global Connections Academy - Chromebooks - $10,560.00
Observer Note: NEOnet (Northeast Ohio Network for Educational Technology) is an Information Technology Center (ITC) serving school districts throughout Northeast Ohio to improve student education through technology.
Ohio School Council Cooperative Bus/Van Purchase
The Board unanimously accepted without discussion participation in the 2024/2025 Ohio Schools Council Cooperative School Bus Purchased Program and authorized the Ohio Schools Council to advertise and receive bids on behalf of Berkshire Board of Education for the cooperative purchase of one 72 passenger conventional school bus and one passenger van.
54:55 min Superintendent’s Report
Homebound Tutor Rate
The Board unanimously approved without discussion a Homebound Tutor rate of $35.00 per hour.
Personnel
The Board unanimously approved the following personnel:
Certified:
Brittany Bakalar Assistant Softball Coach
Maire Pasquinelli Spring Musical Music Director
Mona Lieblich ESY (Extended School Year) Camp Teacher - $50/hr.
Michele Burnett ESY Camp Teacher - $50/hr.
Kristy Russell ESY Camp Teacher - $50/hr.
Madeline McKenzie ESY Camp SLP - $60/hr. (split)
Kristen Hendl ESY Camp SLP - $60/hr. (split)
Brittany Westbrook ESY Camp OT - $60/hr.
Stephanie Bodnovich ESY Camp APE Teacher - $50/hr.
Mona Lieblich ESY Tutor - $25/hr.
Ruth Moore ESY Tutor - $25/hr.
Lori McBurnie ESY Wilson Reading Tutor - $50/hr.
Maryanne Eppler Summer Preschool Intervention Specialist
Classified:
George Tiller Resignation - Spring Strength Coach, eff. 1/01/2025
Christina Leskovec Homebound Tutor - $35/hr.
Larissa Weaver Educational Aide (BES) - One-Year Limited Contract
Kevin Johnson Assistant Softball Coach
Rhonda Busser ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Julia Clough ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Joe DiMattia ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Alec Gentle ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Tara Hauser ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Michele Hillman ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Sara Humr ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Christa Keating ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Johanna Kawalec ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Lisa Kepich ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Shelly Pokorny ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Amanda Rickelman ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Cameron Schaden ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Riley Schultz ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Denica Talty ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Alyssa Tiber ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Marissa Tiber ESY Camp Educational Aide - $20/hr.
Administrator:
Ashley Brzozowski ESY Camp Coordinator - $75/hr.
Volunteers
The Board unanimously approved without discussion the following volunteers:
George Tiller Strength Coach
Carly McKenzie Softball Coach
Byron Childs Competition Shooting Coach
Rachel Hutchinson Competition Shooting Coach
Josh DeWeese Girls Flag Football Coach
Ian Patterson Girls Flag Football Coach
Ron Brown Girls Flag Football Coach
Nate Rucinski Girls Flag Football Coach
Contract Approval
The Board unanimously approved without discussion the following contracts:
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Safely Home, Inc. (a residential special needs school)
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Grove City Area School District (host for residential treatment facility)
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ESC (Education Service Center) of the Western Reserve - Step up to Quality Agreement
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Chardon LSD - Contract & Addenda for Special Education Services
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Abundant Life Foundation, Inc. - Ballfields Lease
Observer Note: See meeting agenda for contracts listed above.
Educators Preferred Corporation
The Board unanimously approved the proposed Employee Severance Plan (ESP). The plan allows the school to offer retirement or early retirement buyouts to higher salaried veteran teachers. The district can then hire new teachers at lower salaries.
Observer Note: See meeting agenda for details on the severance plan cited above.
OHSSA Membership
The Board unanimously authorized without discussion the school’s continued membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2025-2026 school year.
Science of Reading Stipend Payments
The Board unanimously approved without discussion payment of the following Science of Reading (SOR) stipends to certified staff:
Kylee Corlew, Teacher-BMS $1,200.00
Sean Eppler, BMS Teacher $400.00
Mary Anne Eppler, Teacher-PreK $1,200.00
Jeffrey LaDow, Teacher-BE $1,200.00
Meghan Riley Farrow, Teacher-HS $1,200.00
Melisa Walter, Teacher-IS BMS $1,200.00
Alegra Waseleski, Intervention Specialist $1,200.00
Observer Note: Ohio mandates training for all certified teachers in the science of reading. There are two training levels: 1) 21 hours of training with a $1,200 stipend and 2) a 7-hour training with a $400 stipend. The school pays the stipends and then requests reimbursement from the state.
59:00 min Old Business
Resolution to Levy a Tax
Mrs. Stone moved that the Board delay a vote on the tax levy resolution to allow the Board time to reflect on information received earlier from the public. After discussion, the Board unanimously voted to table the motion until a meeting on February 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Mrs. Miller thanked the public for coming to the meeting and for their patience. Mrs. Stone urged audience members to write to their state legislators about school funding cuts.
1:10 min New Business
Board Discussion
No Executive Session
1:04 min Meeting Adjourned
The Next Meeting Date will be a Special Meeting on February 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM. The next regular meeting is March 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Observer: Rooney Moy
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 2/22/2025
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