Board Votes to Join “Vouchers Hurt Ohio” Lawsuit
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – June 23, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on June 23, 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. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 88 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section.
Board Attendance: Mrs. Christina Sherwood, President; Dr. William Beers, Vice President; Mrs. Pam Claypool, Member; Mrs. Kathy Leavenworth, Member, and Mrs. Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh, Member, were present.
Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Richard Markwardt, Superintendent; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Dr. Amy Davis, Director of Pupil Personnel; Brandon Stewart, Athletic Director; Meagan Bellan, Middle School Principal, and Melody Coniglio, Director of Transportation were present.
Other Attendees: Approximately 20 other unidentified persons and this observer were present.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm by Mrs. Sherwood. The roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda – there were no changes
0:50 min. Program Reports and Presentations
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Chee Chee Mastrangelo - OAPT (Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation) Rita Rogers Award for Excellence in Special Needs Transportation, Recognition by Mrs. Melody Coniglio. The award is in recognition of outstanding performance by Ms. Mastrangelo in the transportation of special needs students. She was cited for her patience and compassion with her students and the creation of meaningful relationships with them. Ms. Coniglio noted that Ms. Mastrangelo received a standing ovation at the awards ceremony. Dr. Markwardt added that she not only demonstrates kindness to her students, but to all who work with her.
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2025 Student Wellness and Success Funding and Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid Uses, presented by Dr. Amy Davis. This report to the Board is required annually. The partners for these programs for the 2024-2025 school year were Ravenswood Health & Educational Services and Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve (ESCWR). The Student Wellness and Success Funds used totaled $100,903 and were allocated to Mental Health Services; behavior support, additional school counselor, Crisis Prevention Intervention training and certification, and an on-site social worker. The Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid funds used totaled $11,301 and were allocated to Mental Health Consultation (Geauga Family First Council) and Reading Improvement and Intervention/ELL (ESCWR-ELL and early literacy services).
7:30 min. Public Remarks - Mrs. Norma Kerwin from Chesterland spoke in favor of the Board supporting the school voucher program. At the conclusion of Mrs. Kerwin’s remarks, Mrs. Sherwood invited her to remain for further discussion of the voucher issue later in the meeting.
10:20 min. Routine Items - Consent - All Approved
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2025-06-233 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve May 2025 Financial Statements
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Minutes – Approved the minutes of the June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting and June 16, 2025 Special Meeting. Observer Note: The minutes of the 6/16/2025 Special Meeting were approved and are available here. Go to Board Docs here and pick the meeting tab on the upper right to see the Agenda and minutes for both meetings. The video for the June 16th meeting does not appear to have audio available but can be viewed here. Resolutions were passed during the meeting for hiring an assistant football coach, service contracts for 2 additional assistant football coaches, and approval of a Football Athletic Trip.
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Certified Substitute List for the 2025-2026 School Year
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Classified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
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Classified Substitute List for the 2025-2026 School Year
10:38 min. Financial Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-06-234 Resolution to Approve Warrants for May 2025
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2025-06-235 Resolution to Approve Advances of Funds for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-06-236 Resolution to Approve Increases/Decreases in Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025
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2025-06-237 Resolution to Approve the Final Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025
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2025-06-238 Resolution to Approve the Permanent Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026
12:30 min. Personnel Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-06-239 Resolution to Approve Administrative Contract Recommendation
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2025-06-240 Resolution to Approve Base Salary Increases for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-241 Resolution to Approve Administrative Contract Adjustments for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-242 Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year Mrs. Bellan introduced to the Board the two new additions to the Middle School faculty, Ms. Emily Kolominsky, who is a 5th Grade Math/ELA instructor, and Ms. Jessica Gala who is a Math/Sci instructor.
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2025-06-243 Resolution to Accept Certified Staff Resignation
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2025-06-244 Resolution to Approve Additional Per Diem for Certified Staff
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2025-06-245 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipends for Work Outside of the 2024-2025 Contractual Year
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2025-06-246 Resolution to Approve Rehire of Classified Staff for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-247 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-06-248 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-06-249 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-250 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-251 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
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2025-06-252 Resolution to Approve Student Internship/Student Teaching Placement for the 2025-2026 School Year
19:45 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-06-253 Resolution to Approve the West Geauga High School Parent/Student Handbook for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-254 Resolution to Approve the West Geauga Middle School Parent/Student Handbook for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-255 Resolution to Approve the Westwood and Lindsey Elementary Schools Parent/Student Handbooks for the 2025-2026 School Year
20:43 min. Business Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-06-256 Resolution Declaring Transportation Impractical for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-06-257 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and PSI Affiliates, Inc./PSI Associates, Inc. for the 2025-2026 School Year. (for speech & language pathologists services)
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2025-06-258 Resolution to Approve the Advanced Industrial Roofing, Inc. Change Order #1 - Dr. Markwardt explained that during the repair work, it was determined that the roof did not have any pitch to it to provide proper water drainage and prevent puddling. He said even “flat” roofs require a slight pitch to them. The Change Order is needed to cover this hidden issue. In response to Board inquiries, he explained that defects like this are undetectable until repairs begin and additional costs may be incurred as repairs progress.
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2025-06-259 Resolution to Authorize Request for Bids of the West Geauga Middle and High School Well Project
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2025-06-260 Resolution to Approve the Renewal of District Commercial Insurance Package for the 2025-2026 School Year
25:22 min. Board Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-06-261 Resolution to Approve the Girls Soccer Athletic Trip to Edinboro University in Erie, Pennsylvania - Athletic Director Brandon Stewart outlined the plans for the trip.
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2025-06-262 Resolution to Approve the Fourth Modification to the Employment Contract of the Treasurer of the West Geauga Local School District
27:00 min. 2025-06-263 Resolution to Approve the West Geauga Local Schools Board of Education to Join Vouchers Hurt Ohio. Observer Note: The Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit has been joined by over 200 school districts (including Berkshire, Cardinal and Chardon in Geauga County). More information can be found here. Their Mission Statement as listed on their website is: “Vouchers Hurt Ohio is a growing coalition of public school districts that have come together to sue the state over the unconstitutional and harmful EdChoice private school voucher program.” Mrs. Sherwood started the discussion of this motion by acknowledging the complexity and difficulty of the issue. She said that she supported the original purpose of the voucher program to afford parents an option for under-performing districts. She said that the program has grown to the point where the state is directly funding private schools which she believes violates the separation of church and state and diminishes funds available to the public school system. She asked the other board members to provide their views. Mrs. Leavenworth said she supported the original voucher concept, but said, “...it’s gotten out of hand and it needs to be brought under control.” Mrs. Coleman Walsh indicated her support of the voucher program for those families struggling to pay tuition at private schools. She cited her own experience in attending a private school and the financial difference a voucher program would have made for her family. Mrs. Claypool stated that it is society’s responsibility to educate its children. As a board member, she does not think that the voucher program has harmed the District. In talking with elected officials, she is not sure that ending the voucher program will necessarily mean more funds for public schools. Dr. Beers said he supports the original intent of the voucher program, but feels that the program has ventured too far from its original purpose. Dr. Markwardt said that the District has always had a significant number of students attending private schools, but there has been no significant change in the percentage attending private schools. He also commended the Board for their efforts in dealing with this issue. The resolution passed on a 3 - 2 vote. Board Member Kathy Leavenworth, Board President Christina Sherwood and Board Vice President Dr. William Beers voted in favor of the resolution and Board Members Pam Claypool and Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh voted against the resolution.
48:05 min. Discussion of Old Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - Mrs. Pavlat provided an update of the Senate budget process. The final joint budget is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2025. The completed version will be sent to the governor who will review it and have the option to exercise his line item veto authority. She gave examples of financial action the Board might take, depending on the final form of the budget bill. Reviewer Note: The Budget Bill passed and Governor DeWine utilized his veto power, especially in the area of real property taxes. The Ohio legislature is due to return this July to consider overturning some or all of the Governor’s vetoes. See Statehouse News Bureau report here.
55:55 min. Reports
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Superintendent’s Report
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District academic performance scores being created by the state have not been finalized yet, but there are indications that West Geauga has equaled past ratings for the Elementary and Middle Schools, and that the High School has shown marked improvement.
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Dr. Markwardt said that this will be his final board meeting and he will be taking some unused vacation time. He will be available to the District until the end of his term.
Mrs. Sherwood thanked Dr. Markwardt for his ten years of commitment to the District. She said that during his tenure, the District has increased its performance and academic ranking through his efforts. The Board also expressed their appreciation for all that he has done for the District.
1:02 min. Adjournment
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Announcement of Next Board Meeting – the next regular board meeting will be held Monday, July 7, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, Chesterland, OH 44026
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2025-06-264 Resolution to Adjourn – the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 pm.
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: July 7, 2025
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