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Chardon BOE Agrees with City of Chardon on Traffic Light 

at Fifth Avenue and North Street 

Chardon Board of Education Regular Meeting – May 19, 2025 

Meeting Details: The meeting was held at 5:30 pm at the Chardon Board of Education building adjacent to the Chardon Middle School at 428 North Street, Chardon. Here is the link to the available Meeting Agendas and Minutes. Click on the meetings tab on the right to access the Agendas and Minutes. The board meeting video is also available here and through Chardon Geauga TV (GTV), and agenda items are listed according to the time that they were discussed on the video.

.49 Min ROLL CALL AND WELCOME - Meeting was called to order. It was stated that this meeting is being held in accordance with Section 3313.16 of the Ohio Revised Code. 

Attendance: Board President Karen Blankenship, Vice President Andrea Clark, Todd Albright, and James Midyette 

Absent: C.J. Paterniti 

Staff Attendance: Superintendent Dr. Michael Hanlon, Treasurer Deb Armbruster, Chardon Middle School Principal Craig Caroff, and CMS Guidance Counselors Janelle Stuart and Kate Collins.

1:40 Min Adoption of the Agenda - Approved.

2:02 Min The Board Presiding Officer and student leaders, Ella (Park Elementary) and Jackson Cahill (CELC - Chardon Early Learning Center), led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mission Statement - Read by Dr. Hanlon.

4:06 Min Hearing of the Public- Agenda Items Only - There were none.

4:12 Min Consent Agenda - The board considered  eleven items on the consent agenda, including the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of April 21, 2025 which are here. All approved. All of these items, 3.1-3.11, and associated documents/contracts can be found here, then selecting the meeting tab, date, agenda and number 3 on the agenda. Highlights from the consent agenda include but are not limited to:

• Three 412 certificates of revenue under 3.1 in the agenda Reviewer Note:  a 412 certificate refers to a Certificate of Availability of funds as required by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 5705.412.

• Contract with Lake Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation here for the delivery of career and college advisory services.

7:12 Min Superintendent Hanlon introduced two new administrators, Park Elementary School Principal Donna Picone and Middle School Principal Christina Sherwood

8:35 Min Presentation of Student Liaison Report by three high school students. Slides are available here.  Highlights include but are not limited to:

• Junior/Senior Prom and other Senior events filling the last week of the school year.

• Commencement is the evening of May 22, 2025, 7pm at Memorial Field and the last day of school is May 23, 2025.

11:13 Min Superintendent Report and Recommendations. Items, agreements, MOUs (memorandums of understanding), fee proposals, and associated documents 5.1-5.13 can be found here, select meetings, date, and number 5 on the agenda. All items/recommendations were approved unless noted otherwise. Highlights from the Superintendent’s report and recommendations include but are not limited to:

• Superintendent’s report here.

  • In the event of rain, commencement will be moved to Friday at Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls with a reduced number of tickets per student to 7.

  • Dr. Hanlon provided testimony on school funding to the Senate Education Committee on May 7, 2025 concerning the Fair School Funding Plan, and he estimates that there will be testimony before the Ohio Senate sometime the following week. Reviewer Note:  Dr. Hanlon is part of a consortium of schools and stakeholders who have joined together to advocate for a particular funding plan called the Fair School Funding Plan.  Details can be found here about this group and about Fair School Funding here.

  • CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS- Work continues on several key capital improvement projects: 

    • The Transportation Business Affairs Complex Phase II is coming to completion. Asphalt installation will start this week. 

    • Park ES Auditorium facade reconstruction is underway. Work on the new security vestibule will start next week. 

    • Munson multi-purpose Room wall reconstruction will start next week.

• 15:30 Min Recognition of the following students for receiving Superior and Excellent ratings at the State Science Fair. Students spoke briefly about their projects. 

  • Michael Mele: Water Bottle Dilemma - Excellent rating

  • Eden Hedgefield: Ice Ice Baby - Superior rating

  • Katie Brinkley: Popping Boba - Excellent rating - Reviewer Note:  Boba Tea, also known as Bubble Tea, is made from a combination of sugar, tea and tapioca.  

  • Ryan Wolfe: Changed by the Elements - Superior Rating

• Recognition of Wesley Ziemak for the Raymond A Horn Outstanding Student Award

• Recognition of teachers Jennifer Maheu and Sarah Bednar for the Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award

• 24:05 Min. Chardon Middle School Showcase presented by Principal Craig Caroff with accompanying slide presentation here.

  • Sources of Strength background and highlights, including 6th and 7th grade peer leader training and the “Be the ‘I’ in Kind” Campaign

  • Community Book Study regarding student wellness with parents and families- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

  • Student Leader Testimonials

• 40:27 Min.Pursuant to Board of Education Policy 0165.1,E, the Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve:

  • Resolution 2025-12: Implementing a Reduction In Force of non-teaching positions by the abolishment of positions and the suspension of employment contracts.  Dr.Hanlong said this was just a “clean up” of the prior resolution.  He said that everything has been dealt with already.  

  • Memorandum of understanding between the Chardon School Board and CACE (Chardon Association of Classified Employees). 

  • Authorization for Ohio Schools Council to Advertise & Receive School Bus Bids

  • Approval of Client Service Agreement with ESCNEO (Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio).

  • Approval of Agreement with Adam Bradley Enterprises for Roof Inspections of Chardon School District properties

  • START (School Transportation Active Threat Response Training) Refresher Course for school bus drivers.

  • City of Chardon Traffic Control Device Agreement for Chardon Local Schools for the intersection of North Street and Fifth Avenue here. The estimated timeline for completion is August 2027.  The Chardon Local School will contribute to the cost up to a maximum of $200,000 but not towards the future maintenance of the traffic light.

  • Approval of Quote with Detail Flooring LLC

  • Board Policies- Second Reading and Approval.

49:05 Min Chief Financial Officer’s Report and Recommendations. Associated documents for 6.1-6.4 can be found here, then select meetings, date, and number 6 on the agenda. All approved unless otherwise noted. Some highlights of the presentation include:

• Financial Report for April 2025 here. May 2025 forecast assumptions (summary view) here.

  • Cash balance on April 30, 2025: $33,930,715.

  • Revenue is trending $2 favorable to forecast.

  • Expenditure trend is $1 unfavorable compared to forecast.

  • Net potential trend is $1 favorable to forecast.

  • The budget has been adjusted to the May 2025 forecast.

  • Discussion of timing of expenditures versus revenues. Observer Note: Some months show a deficit in various accounts, but it is only temporary because revenues have not yet been received.

  • Salaries for April 2025- $1,141,163. 21 of 26 pays for the fiscal year have been distributed.

  • Fiscal Year to Date Permanent Improvement expenditures- $2,861,616.

  • Self-Insurance Fund Fiscal Year ending cash balance-$2,435,878.

  • June 30, 2025 end of FY estimated cash balance is $16, 939, 832.

• AI Podcast of April 2025 Financial Summary here.

• Donations and Equipment disposal.

• May 2025 Five-year Forecast Presentation with slides here. May 2025 PDF five-year forecast report here and abbreviated five-year forecast report here. Chardon Local Schools May 2025 five-year forecast assumptions here.

• Listen to the May 2025 Five year Forecast AI Podcast here and watch the Presentation video with AI audio here. The Board watched the AI slide presentation. Some details from that presentation include but are not limited to:

  • A five-year forecast is an estimate only of General Fund finances; it is a projection based on currently known information. There are currently 14 bills pending in the Ohio legislature that may affect this estimate.

  • Chardon Local School District Assumptions ( AI summary view) can be found here.

  • The five year forecast of May 2025 is compared to that of November 2024.

  • Compared to the November 2024 forecast, the May 2025 forecast increased the expected local tax collection rate from 98% to over 99%, and lowered expected state funding from 2026 onward based on the Ohio Governor’s proposed budget.

  • Revenue sources: 68% comes from local taxes and public utilities, 22% from state sources, and 10% from other sources.

  • Compared to the November 2024 forecast, the May 2025 forecast estimates higher expenditures.

  • The presentation highlights both rising costs and the continuing accomplishments of the district.

  • Potential challenges include possible legislative changes. See link to OASBO (Ohio Association of School Business Officials) tracker here.

  • Expenditures will rise faster than revenues, leading to a significant projected decline in the cash balance through 2029.

  • The district is projected to spend $6,267,767 more than its revenue by Fiscal Year 2029, a shortfall of 13.45%, leading to the necessity for putting a levy before the voters by 2028.

1:11.10 Min Board of Education Reports here and Recommendations

• Chardon Schools Foundation Andrea Clark 

  • Grant requests were due May 9, 2025. Final decisions will be made in June 2025.

• Legislative Liaison Report Todd Albright

  • Mr. Albright expressed his concern that the amount of “bombastic” legislation between the Senate and the House appears to be a race to the bottom.

  • He also expressed concern that a constitutional amendment has been proposed to eliminate property taxes, which he believes would be “ injurious” to local school districts.

  • He noted that there has been some pushback in the Senate on the 30% cap on cash reserves.

• Auburn Career Center Todd Albright

  • The new superintendent of Auburn Career Center is Joe Glavan, effective August 1, 2025

• Student & Staff Liaison Report James Midyette

  • The Science Olympiad team placed 10th at the State Competition.

  • CHS Academic Decathlon Team competed on May 2nd in its first National Competition since 2017 after a successful state competition showing.

  • Auburn Career Center Signing Day was May 5, 2025

  • The Chardon chapter of the International Thespian Society inducted six new members.

  • Elementary students attended Chardon’s third local Career on Wheels Day

  • Chardon Smile Center received the Superintendent’s Award in recognition of their support and commitment to Chardon Local School District.

  • The Friend of Education award was presented to long time educator Frances Donahue in recognition of her dedication to the school community through her guidance and continued volunteerism.

1:22.28 Min New Business - There was none.

1:22.35 Min hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items- There were no speakers..

1:22.43 Min The video indicated that the meeting concluded at 1:23.06 Minutes. The time was not announced, and this Observer attended virtually.

Board agendas and minutes are available online.

Next meeting is the regular meeting scheduled for June 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm.

Virtual Observer: Jacqueline Berger

Editor: Gail Roussey

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Date submitted: 06/05/2025

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