Board Removes $128M New Facilities Bond Issue From May Ballot
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – March 10, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on March 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township. Meetings are open to the public and media. The meeting agenda and minutes are available online. Look for the Meeting tab in the right hand corner. Pick the meeting you want to review and then click on “Agenda.” A video recording is available here.
Board Attendance: President Christina Sherwood, Kathy Leavenworth, Dr. William Beers, Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh, and Pam Claypool were present.
Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Richard Markwardt, Superintendent; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Samantha Weiskind, Choir Director; Amy Davis, Director of Pupil Personnel; and Melody Coniglio, Director of Transportation.
Other Attendees: Mr. Zaffiro, Mr. Mesok, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Davis, Mr. Goden (all members of the community), approximately twenty unidentified attendees and this Observer.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Sherwood; the roll call was conducted and the Pledge of Allegiance recited.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda – There were none.
0:60 min. Program Reports and Presentations
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West Geauga High School Choir “Noteworthy Tours” Trip Proposal to New York, NY - Ms. Samantha Weisand gave a presentation on a proposed trip to New York City, March 19 - 22, 2026 for the choir members. The purpose of the trip is to provide an opportunity to perform at a venue to be selected, talk with actors and producers about musical performances, see a Broadway show, and do general sightseeing in the city. Observer Note: See Resolution 2025-03-103 in the Board Resolutions section below for approval of this trip.
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Preschool Presentation - Ms. Davis made a presentation regarding the establishment of a Pre-K school to be located at the Westwood School. This would bring the preschool program back to the West Geauga campus. The recommendation was for a morning and afternoon class with 16 children per class. Staffing would consist of a Teacher/Intervention Specialist and a paraprofessional. A preliminary budget was proposed. If the board approves the proposal at the April 2025 meeting, preparation and training could be completed by June 2025. Mrs. Claypool asked about public sentiment for this project and was assured there was positive public response.
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Transportation Update - Ms. Coniglio gave a presentation discussing Ohio budget funding for school bus safety equipment and accessories. The current state working budget has set aside $25 million for Ohio school districts earmarked for school bus safety. Plans are for the funding to come from the General Fund and vehicular fines from improper passing of school buses. The administration has consulted with the bus drivers about the choices they favored from the list of options provided by the state. Their choices include Ground Wash Lights, Lighted Crossover Mirrors, and Illuminated Stop Arm & School Bus Sign, Bus Routing/Tracking Tablets. Upon completion of the state budgeting process, there will be a further update.
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Budget Update - The Treasurer provided the board with an update of the current state school budgeting process. There are several bills being considered by the Legislature at the present time. As yet, there are no final funding allocations. The trends indicate that school districts with larger tax bases will not receive as much state aid as those with lower tax bases and more funding will be shifted to non-public schools. The Legislature is attempting to achieve an education budget that meets Constitutional requirements and is fully-funded. The funding to be used is based on the 2022 fiscal school year, so the funding amount will not account for inflation since that time. For a school to be considered properly funded, a “floor millage” of 20 mills is used. The 20-mill floor is the state-required amount of millage that school districts must achieve at a minimum. In Ohio, property is taxed at 35% of its appraised value (or market value) as determined by the County Auditor. There are three categories of levies: Inside Millage, Fixed Rate Levies, and Fixed Sum Levies. Only the first two categories are used to determine floor millage for a district currently, though the Legislature may make changes to this in the future. West Geauga's floor millage is currently 20.03 mills. The Treasurer does not see much movement in this status until the 2027 property tax revaluation. As more budgeting information is available from the state, she will update the board.
40:40 min. Public Remarks
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Mr. Zaffiro - Spoke to the delay in the building program and the inability of the board to come up with a detailed plan.
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Mr. Mesok - Stated that the school district is performing well for the students. He was concerned that the board would withdraw the May levy and call a special emergency election in August to pass the levy.
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Mrs. Davis - Would like a full explanation of why the May levy is being withdrawn. She suggested the board take a 1 year hiatus to develop a more detailed plan.
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Mr. Davis - Thanked the board for their service. Stated that the community had many members with technical expertise that could assist with a comprehensive plan development.
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Mr. Goden - Wants a more detailed plan justifying the cost of the bond issue.
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Mr. Konieczny - Requested a fuller explanation of the $25 million “surplus” cited by the Budget Commission at their February 2025 meeting. Reviewer Note: Please see the Budget Commission Observer Reports for February 20 and February 24 for more information on West Geauga’s budget.
58.20 min. Routine Items - Consent - all passed
2025-03-080 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve February 2025 Financial Statements
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Minutes from the February 10, 2025 Meeting
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Certified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
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Classified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
58.50 min. Financial Resolutions - all passed
2025-03-081 Resolution to Approve Warrants for February 2025
2025-03-082 Resolution to Accept Donations
2025-03-083 Resolution to Accept Increase (Decrease) in FY 2025 Appropriations
2025-03-084 Resolution to Approve Student Activity Statement of Purpose and Budget for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-03-085 Resolution to Accept the Amounts and Rates as Determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and Certifying them to the County Auditor
1:00:40 min. Personnel Resolutions – all passed
025-03-086 Resolution to Approve Administrative Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year - This resolution confirms the appointment of Amy Davis as Assistant Superintendent and Megan Bellam as Director of Curriculum & Instruction, effective 8/1/2025
2025-03-087 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipend for Work Outside of the 2024-2025 Contractual Year
2025-03-088 Resolution to Approve 2025 ESY Summer Programming Stipends
2025-03-089 Resolution to Approve Certified Long-Term Substitute Assignment
2025-03-090 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-03-091 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-03-092 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Retirements
2025-03-093 Resolution to Approve Non Exempt Staff Appointment for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-03-094 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
2025-03-095 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-03-096 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-03-097 Resolution to Approve Chaperone for the Middle School 6th Grade Trip to Camp Fitch
1:14:45 min. Policy and Program Resolutions – all passed
2025-03-098 Resolution to Approve the Second and Final Reading of New Policies: po2265, po6111, and po6112; Revised Board Policies: po5136.01R, po5200, po5500, po5780, po6110, po6114, po6320, po6325, po6460R, po7310, and po7450; and Replace Board Policies: po1130, po3113, po4113 and po6550
2025-03-099 Resolution to Approve the First and Final Reading of Board Policy 5223
2025-03-100 Resolution to Adopt Special Education Model Policies and Procedures with Modifications
1:19:25 min. Business Resolutions – all passed
2025-03-101 Resolution Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Master Electric Energy Sales Renewal Agreement Between West Geauga Local Schools and Power4Schools' Endorsed Electric Supplier, ENGIE Resources LLC
2025-03-102 Resolution to Approve Ohio Schools Council Cooperative Advertising and Receiving Bids for School Bus Chassis and Bodies
1:21:25 min. Board Resolutions – all passed
2025-03-103 Resolution to Approve the West Geauga High School Choir "Noteworthy Tours" Trip Proposal to New York, NY for March 19-22, 2026 - Dr. Beers urged the group to “have fun” on the trip. He related his experience as band chaperone on a similar trip and said that the backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall was an amazing experience.
2025-03-104 Resolution Declaring it Necessary to Remove a Bond Issue from the May 2025 Ballot -
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Mrs. Sherwood opened the discussion of the motion by giving background information she had gathered from the community since the levy was put on the May ballot. “The one message that kept coming back to me was that we might not disagree that we need new buildings or a different plan for our kids, but it’s probably not the right time right now.” Some residents have told her that they were unaware that the project was moving forward. She said, “Obviously this is something I feel passionately about, but this is not about what I want. This is about what the community is ready to support. And I believe that our community is supportive of our kids and our schools, but I think given the strains and confines of everything that has happened in the last year, that it warrants a discussion.” Mrs Sherwood stated she has no intentions of supporting a levy proposal in August.
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Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh said that in the conversations she has had with the community that everyone is supportive of the school district. But, all had important questions At this time she feels removal of the levy from the ballot is the best solution at this time. She would not support an August ballot levy issue.
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Mrs. Claypool felt that the gap between the initial planning group’s work and now has been too long and feels that there is a low level of trust in the community for the board. She felt there is a need for better communications with the community and to create a new levy committee moving forward.
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Dr. Beers echoed previous board member comments and favored the creation of a new push to get information into the community.
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Mrs. Leavenworth cited that COVID interrupted the process for the plan. In addition, Ohio law prohibits the Superintendent and Treasurer from supporting a levy publicly once a levy issue is on the ballot, and these are the two major sources of expertise the community has for levy funding issues. There has been a significant shift in the community from 75% of the community having children attending schools in the district to only 25% with children currently attending the schools.
2025-03-105 Resolution to Deny a Step IV Grievance Regarding Dorothy Miller on behalf of the West Geauga Transportation Department Drivers - Mrs. Claypool abstained because she was not present during the deliberations of this matter.
Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - Mrs. Sherwood attended the February Geauga County Budget Commission hearing and expressed the opinion that the Commission’s review of the district’s budget is used to generate “sound bites” for the Commission. The Budget Commissioners only review and analyze a single fiscal year budget based on a January-December fiscal period while the school district is required by Ohio law to generate a five-year fiscal budget with a July-June fiscal year. This makes objective comparison difficult. She said that at the meeting the Auditor noted that the district was handling its budgeting process well and she also said that Geauga County is the only Ohio county that reviews school board budgets. She encouraged the community to attend the school board meetings to obtain more accurate information.
Mrs. Claypool asked if the board could have an updated list of capital projects and unplanned maintenance costs for the board and public information. She also requested that the board reschedule the May, 2025 regular board meeting from May 12th to May 19th.
1:38:50 min. Reports
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Board Report - none
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Superintendent Report - Dr. Markwardt commented that the district has received a new 5-Star banner from the Department of Education and Workforce for scholastic achievement. West Geauga was one of the 68 districts to receive this award out of 607 districts rated by DEW. In addition, of the 68 districts selected, the district was 1 of 18 who received a star in all five subcategories. Also, it was 1 of 7 ranked in the top ten schools in the state. He thanked the Administration, Staff, Teachers and the Board who have worked to make this achievement possible. Dr. Markwardt said the Ohio School Board Association has recognized two West Geauga board members, Dr. Beers and Mrs. Leavenworth, for their life-long service as board members.
1:48:00 min. Executive Session
2025-03-106 Resolution to Adjourn to Executive Session - This executive session was called to consider matters including a conference with legal counsel regarding current or possible legal matters. No other information was furnished during the meeting regarding this matter.
2:49:00 Reconvene Regular Session
2:50:00 min. Adjournment
2025-03-107 Resolution to Adjourn - meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on April 14, 2025 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: April 8, 2025
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