Board Members Learn about the New 4th Grade Student Council
from 11 of its Young Leaders
Berkshire Board of Education – Regular Meeting, March 9, 2026
Meeting Details: The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon-Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 4402. 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: John Manfredi, President, Linda Stone, Vice President, and members Dan
Berman, Brandon Townsend and Bryan Wadsworth.
Staff Attendance: Superintendent John Stoddard, Treasurer Beth McCaffrey, Elementary School Principal Heather Giel, and Elementary School Fitness and Health teacher Lisa Starr.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mr.
Manfredi who led the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll was called.
Approval of Agenda – Approved unanimously without discussion.
Approval of Minutes – Minutes for the Organizational and Regular Meetings February 9, 2026 were unanimously approved without discussion. Minutes are available through Board Docs here by clicking on the Meetings tab. The minutes are available in the detailed Agenda for the meeting following the meeting in question.
1:49 Min. Student/Staff Presentation – Elementary School Council Presentation
Elementary School principal Heather Giel introduced Elementary Fitness and Health teacher Lisa Starr who had come to her last year with the idea for a 4th Grade Student Council as an opportunity for students to lead.
Mrs. Starr gave a brief presentation about the Student Council, noting that nearly 45 students had applied to join the group. She then turned the presentation over to the 11 Council members in attendance. Each spoke about a different aspect of the Council, which included:
-
The Council’s mission to provide leadership and service to students, staff and community.
-
The application process for selection to the Council (also called the leadership team).
-
18 students are on the leadership team.
-
Council projects have included ideas for buying recess equipment (e.g. jump ropes), creating cards for disabled veterans, a book donation collection, pumping up recess balls each month, and serving as volunteers at school assemblies.
After the student presentation, Mrs. Starr praised the group, saying, “They have been amazing this year. Every project that we’ve done, they have truly been just the ideas behind it… (they are) just a really great group of leaders.” Board members commended the students as well and, among other comments, asked them about the book collection project and recess ball pumping. Observer Note: See video for the complete presentation.
11:55 Min. Public Participation
Don Hornak, Burton Township resident, said he was there to give “great praise” to the Stodcast, Dr. Stoddard’s podcast that takes viewers behind the scenes at Berkshire Schools. Mr. Hornack stated that this broadcast is outstanding and “every parent and voter should see it.”
14:45 Min. Treasurer’s Report
Financial Statements
The Treasurer 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, the purposes, and the balances remaining in each fund. The financial
statements for the period ending February 2026 were 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.
Tax Rate Resolution
The Board unanimously approved a motion for the tax rate resolution for the 2026 Tax Year, 2027 Collection Year.
16:00 Min. Superintendent’s Report
Personnel - The Board unanimously approved without discussion the personnel actions for Certified and Classified staff as listed on the meeting agenda. Observer Note: A complete list of personnel actions is available in the meeting agenda online.
Team Sports – The Board unanimously approved the following varsity team sports:
Mrs. Stone asked how long it would be before Girls’ Wrestling could be a varsity sport. Dr. Stoddard said the minimum amount of time required as a club sport is two years. After two “successful years,” a team can petition to be accepted as a varsity sport. The wrestling team has one more year before they can be approved. Mr. Wadsworth noted that the team had had a “great first year,” and Dr. Stoddard agreed it was “outstanding.” The Shooting Team and Girls’ Flag Football become varsity sports this spring.
Overnight Trip – The Board unanimously approved the overnight trip for the Music Department to Disney World, Orlando, Florida, January 16 - January 21, 2027.
Contracts – The Board unanimously approved contracts for:
Dr. Stoddard explained that Berkshire is receiving about $26,000 in funding from ACC for providing career tech opportunities to Middle School students.
Mr. Manfredi commended Smylies, which provides janitorial services, for doing a “terrific job” and said “it means a lot they’re from the community and care so much about the way the building appears.” Dr. Stoddard noted that Smylies renewed their contract for “a below market increase.”
Observer Note: See Contract details in the meeting agenda available online.
School fees – The Board unanimously approved the following school fees for the 2026-2027 school year:
-
Berkshire Elementary School - $55.00 for all grades
-
Berkshire Middle School - $105.00 for all grades
-
Berkshire High School – see meeting agenda for comprehensive breakdown of course fees.
Dr. Stoddard pointed out fees have not increased from last year and that the school is doing the best they can not to incur costs.
Course Guides – The Board unanimously approved course guides for the Middle School and High School for the 2026-27 school year.
Mrs. Stone and Mr. Berman noted the impressive amount of detail in the guides. Dr. Stoddard agreed, saying the schools had “really honed in” on the guides so that students understand exactly what the curriculum paths are. Observer Note: See Course Guide details in the meeting agenda available online.
High School Final Exam Schedule – The Board unanimously approved the High School Open Campus Final Exam Schedule for May 19-21, 2026. Observer Note: See Final Exam Schedule details in the meeting agenda available online.
22:35 Min. Old Business – Mr. Manfredi stated that the Board is in the process of interviewing Treasurer candidates (to replace Mrs. McCaffrey, who is leaving at the end of 2026) over the next two weeks. A hiring date has not yet been set.
23:12 Min. New Business – No New Business.
23:21 Min. Board Discussion
Next Regular Meeting Dates – April 13, 2026, and May 11, 2026, at 6 pm in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon-Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021.
23:35 Min. Executive Session – No Executive Session.
23:55 Min. Meeting Adjourned
Observer: Rooney Moy
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: March 11, 2026
The League of Women Voters Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.