Board Receives Update on Revenue & Expense Budgetary Status
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – July 20, 2026
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on July 20, 2026 at 6:00 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 95 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section.
Board Attendance: Mrs. Pam Claypool, President; Dr. William Beers, Vice President; Mrs. Kathy Leavenworth, Member; Mrs. Ellen Naylor, Member; and Mr. Mark Vidmar, Member, were present.
Staff Attendance: Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Superintendent; Dr. Amy Davis, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Mr. Brandon Stewart, Athletic Director; Mr. Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Mrs. Meagan Bellan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Mr. Mark Richardson, Facilities Manager; Mrs. Jennifer Norman, Director of Pupil Personnel; Mrs. Melody Coniglio, Director of Transportation; Ms. Samantha Prince, Lindsey Elementary Principal; Ms. Rachel Fender, Intervention specialist (new employee) and Mrs. Tara Baran, Human Resources Coordinator (new employee).
Other Attendees: Student and faculty family members, unidentified members of the community, and this Observer were present.
Opening of the Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mrs. Claypool. The roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - Dr. Benincasa asked that Ms. Nora Abraham be added to resolution 2026-07-253 (Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2026-2027 School Year). A motion was made, seconded and passed to add Ms. Abraham to the resolution.
1.57 min. Program Reports and Presentations - West Geauga High School Softball Team Recognition - Dr. Benincasa introduced Mr. Stewart who made the presentation. He reviewed the team’s regular season where they won 22 games and built momentum for the State tournament where they finished second in the Regionals. It was the furthest any WG softball team has advanced in school history. The team has 9 members on the All-Conference Team, 5 on the All-District Team and 2 honored as All-State players (Lely Percassi and Dayana Malone).
Public Remarks - none
8.06 min. Routine Items - Consent - passed
Mrs. Pavlat made two financial presentations to the Board. She presented a completed Operating Report for June 30, 2026 which showed the results for the end of the Fiscal Year (FY) and will serve as a model for the Board for the upcoming August, 2026 Budget Forecast for the District and a Food Services report.
Operating Report - The highlights of the Operating Report were:
Revenue -
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FY2026 Total Revenues were $39,963,586, exceeding FY2025 by $1,282,216
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FY2026 Property Tax Revenues were $25,893,944, exceeding FY2026 by $1,282,216 and reflect the last of the proceeds from the Emergency Levy which will no longer be a revenue source.
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Unrestricted Grants increased $567,543 primarily due to increased State reimbursement for pupil transportation. She indicated the percentage of State aid for this purpose is increasing and is now 55% of the District’s transportation costs.
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State Impetus for College & Career Readiness - State aid for programs available for WG
Middle School and High School students in the District
Expenses -
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The total increase for this category over last year is 1.4%. This low increase reflects cost-cutting efforts by the District staff during the year.
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Personnel medical insurance cost increases were significant.
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Purchased Services were $120,000 less than last year and reflect the cost savings realized by moving the entire pre-K program to Westwood Elementary.
Mrs. Claypool suggested that an itemized list of all of the cost-saving areas would be helpful information for the community to better understand that the District is making strong efforts to control costs. Mrs. Pavlat indicated that the August Budget Forecast will have a schedule showing staffing cost reductions totaling approximately $1.4 million from staff attrition and retirements to reduce costs rather than any reductions in force.
Food Services Report -
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Revenues increased about $40,000 from FY2025 primarily due to increased Federal subsidies.
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Expenditure reductions improved somewhat but losses for the program totaled $100,000. Removal of equipment costs from this year’s budget would reduce the operating loss to $60,000. The agenda for this meeting includes Resolution 2026-07-280 which proposes an increase of $0.25 per meal. If passed, this will result in approximately $23,000 in increased revenue for the Food Services program next year. Mrs. Pavlat indicated there have been no meal service increases since COVID-19.
Mr. Vidmar asked for a review of the District Financial Dashboard. He noted the reduction in the Capital Fund account. Mrs. Pavlat said that the summer is a busy time for capital projects and the movement in the account reflects payments made for ongoing capital projects. She noted that next year will remain cash-positive and the following two years will be cash-negative and that this change will be reflected in the August Budget Forecast.
The Board entered into a general discussion of the budget forecasting process and the upcoming August Budget Forecast. Highlights of the discussion include:
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Mrs. Pavlat indicated that expeditious expenditure cuts by the Board have ameliorated some of the previous Budget Forecast concerns.
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The Budget Forecasts assume that the existing levies, which have been in effect for 20 years, remain in effect. They fund 16% of the District’s operating costs.
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House Bill 479, the Property Tax Relief Bill, will double the current homestead exemption for one year and will result in $400,000 in additional revenue for the District. Reviewer Note: House Bill 479 primarily concerns physician supervision of imaging contrast administration. Over time, the bill was expanded to include budgetary measures, such as the distribution of $1.5 billion in surplus tax revenue, funding for nursing home settlements, an extended sales tax holiday, and a one-time property tax credit for approximately 710,000 Ohio homeowners receiving the homestead exemption, particularly benefiting low-income seniors and disabled residents. After a line item veto was addressed, the bill is back on Governor DeWine’s desk for signature.
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Some pending legislation will have a negative effect on District financing. She will update the Board as information becomes available.
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Moving the Budget Forecast from November to October to August introduces increased uncertainty to the budgeting process because final figures are not available and estimated figures must be used for the forecast.
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Property tax collections and distributions have been delayed this year, so some distribution amounts will need to be estimated for the forecast.
28.10 min. Financial Resolutions - all passed
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2026-07-245 Resolution to Approve Warrants for June 2026
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2026-07-246 Resolution to Approve the First Amendment of Certificate of Resources and Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2027
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2026-07-247 Resolution to Accept Donations for the 2026-2027 School Year
Name Amount Donated Recipient
Rockwell Automation $100.94 HS Robotics Team 300-9016
Anonymous $35,000.00 HS Stadium Scoreboard*
Anonymous $1,346.00 Two Students and one Chaperone to attend the Washington, DC Trip
Mrs. Pavlat indicated that Mr. Amstutz would have more information on the scoreboard later in the meeting.
29.30 min. Personnel Resolutions - all passed
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2026-07-248 Resolution to Approve Administrative Contracts for the 2027-2029 School Years
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2026-07-249 Resolution to Approve Administrative & Psychologist Raises for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-250 Resolution to Approve Exempt Staff Appointment - Dr. Davis introduced Mrs. Tara Baran to the Board as a new Human Resources Coordinator and reviewed her qualifications for the position.
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2026-07-251 Resolution to Approve Salary Adjustment for Athletic Director for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-252 Resolution to Accept Certified Staff Resignation
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2026-07-253 Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mrs. Prince introduced Ms. Rachel Fender to the Board as a new Intervention Specialist and reviewed her qualifications for the position.
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2026-07-254 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Appointment for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-255 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointment for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-256 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-257 Resolution to Approve Classified Long-Term Substitute Assignment - Dr. Benincasa explained to the Board that Mr. Scott Smith is the former Head Mechanic who has agreed to serve as a long-term substitute until the position is filled.
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2026-07-258 Resolution to Approve Additional Per Diem for Certified Staff in the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-259 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-260 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year - In response to Mrs. Naylor’s question about mentors and mentees, Dr. Benincasa explained that first year teachers require a mentor in order to fulfill state licensure requirements and the resolution establishes compensation for the mentor function.
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2026-07-261 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipends for Work Outside of the 2026-2027 Contractual Year - Dr. Benincasa stated that the new Speech and Debate Coach, Ms. Kyra Zimmerman, was the “quintessential hire of our lives” because of her training, experience and the relationships she brings to the position. Mrs. Naylor asked if there were plans to bring speech and debate opportunities to the lower grades. Dr. Benincasa responded that Mock Trial programs will be available at the Middle and High Schools starting in the Fall. Additional program expansion will depend on the amount of interest expressed by students in these types of programs.
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2026-07-262 Resolution to Approve Summer Routes for Extended School Year Services
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2026-07-263 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
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2026-07-264 Resolution to Approve Updated Job Descriptions - Mr. Vidmar asked for more details for this process and Dr. Benincasa replied that the job descriptions are for existing positions that are being realigned to better utilize the talents of new Central Office hires and meet revised State requirements. Mrs. Naylor asked about staffing for the new school year and Dr. Benincasa said that her hiring team has completed filling all their assigned hiring for the new year. There is one open position in the Transportation Department remaining to be filled.
47.45 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - all passed
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2026-07-265 Resolution to Approve the Westwood and Lindsey Elementary School Parent/Student Handbook for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mrs. Claypool noted that the handbook contains language about transportation and asked if these were new policies. She was informed by various staff members in attendance that the policies were already in existence but may not have previously appeared in the handbook. Their inclusion is to provide more information that the students may already have from other sources and include it in the handbook to better inform the parents in these areas. Dr. Benincasa said that efforts are continuing to bring all handbook formats into organizational alignment so that information is more accessible and easier to locate from school to school.
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2026-07-266 Resolution to Approve the Middle School Parent/Student Handbook for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-267 Resolution to Approve the High School Parent/Student Handbook for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-268 Resolution to Establish Blanket Purchase Order Not to Exceed Amount
55.55 min. Business Resolutions - all passed
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2026-07-269 Resolution to Approve the Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and Capstone Academy (Hattie Larlham) for the 2026-2027 School Year - Dr. Beers asked if a student was currently using the services of the provider and was informed that there was.
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2026-07-270 Resolution to Approve the Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and Education Alternatives for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-271 Resolution to Approve the Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and Amergis Educational Staffing for the 2026-2027 School Year - In response to Mr. Vidmar’s request, Dr. Benincasa explained that this vendor was a source of multiple special services.
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2026-07-272 Resolution to Approve the Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-273 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and PSI Associates, LLC. for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-07-274 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and Envision Academy for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mr. Vidmar asked for more detail on what this vendor provided the District. Dr. Benincasa responded that they have multiple specialized services that can be used to meet specific student needs. Mrs. Naylor asked if these vendors all are to serve special needs students that have been identified. Mrs. Benincasa explained that some are and some will provide special services for future anticipated needs.
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2026-07-275 Resolution to Approve the Customer Agreement between Schoolytics and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mr. Vidmar asked for more information on the services this vendor provided. Dr. Benincasa said that they provide a variety of in-house analytical and measurement tools that allow teacher determination of the progress that students are making throughout the school year. She said that these tools allow continual evaluation of student performance throughout the school year. It is the foundational data source for evaluations.
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2026-07-276 Resolution to Approve the Bus, Van, and Contracted Routes for the 2026-2027 School Year - Dr. Benincasa stated that she was amazed at the work that goes into the annual planning for student transportation. She said that the district averages 75,000 miles per month for student transportation, both to the District and private schools. Ride times tend to decrease as the school year progresses, but the goal of 1 hour or less remains. Private school bus routes have remained unchanged from last year.
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2026-07-277 Resolution to Approve the Stadium Scoreboard Replacement Project - Mr. Stewart provided a short presentation on the replacement of the scoreboard which can be scheduled for this year because of the generous donation the District received for this purpose. All lighting will be LEDs for brightness, clarity and long life. Dr. Benincasa also expressed her gratitude for the donor’s gift.
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2026-07-278 Resolution to Revise the West Geauga High School, Middle School, and Elementary School Course Fees for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mrs. Bellan spoke to the Board about all the work involved by the building principals and their teams to minimize any increases in the course fees.
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2026-07-279 Resolution to Approve the Athletic Gate Admission Prices for the 2026-2027 School Year - Dr. Benincasa said that the gate fee has not been increased in many years and that the $1.00 increase will go directly to the Athletic Fund to defray rising operating costs. There will be no increase in any student fees related to athletic and music programs.
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2026-07-280 Resolution to Approve the Increase in Lunch Fees for the 2026-2027 School Year - this increase will help alleviate operational shortfalls in the Food Service program.
1:28.15 min. Board Resolutions - all passed
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2026-07-281 Resolution to Approve the Annual West Geauga Preschool Peer Model Tuition - The half-day program fee will increase $200 to $1,550 and the full day program commences this year with a fee of $3,000.
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2026-07-282 Resolution to Approve the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding between the Russell Township Board of Trustees and the West Geauga Local School District Board of Education for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mrs. Claypool commented that the District funds this position and not the Township. This service was not in effect when the levies were initially passed and has an annual cost to the District of $500,000.
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2026-07-283 Resolution to Approve the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding between the Chester Township Police Department and the West Geauga Local School District Board of Education
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2026-07-284 Resolution to Approve the Middle School Football Athletic Trip to Albion, Pennsylvania - Dr. Benincasa said that because this trip crosses a state line, Board approval is required. The trip is scheduled for July 31, 2026.
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2026-07-285 Resolution to Approve the Continuity of Learning and Make-up Hours Plan - Mr. Vidmar stated that he had never seen any plan like this before. Dr. Benincasa said it was created as a flexible contingency plan for the District to continue delivering educational service to the students in the event of a long-term emergency closing of the facilities. It is based on the experience gained during the COVID-19 shut-down and other staff input.
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2026-07-286 Resolution to Approve the First Modification to the Employment Agreement of the Superintendent of Schools of the West Geauga Local School District
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2026-07-287 Resolution to Approve the Fifth Modification to the Employment Contract of the Treasurer of the West Geauga Local School District
1:32.25 Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be included on Future Agenda -
Mr. Vidmar asked if there was an update on the status of the track resurfacing project. Mr. Amstutz said that the fencing has been completed and the project completion is scheduled for mid-August.
1:34.15 min. Reports
Superintendent - Dr. Benincasa highlighted the following for the Board:
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2nd Annual Wolverine Kickoff Classic is scheduled for August 7th from 5:00-7:00 pm. There will be a parade, the introduction of Fall Sports athletes and the band and family-oriented games and activities.
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Relay for Life - A fundraiser for cancer with student participation on September 20th from 1:00-4:00 pm.
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Westwood Capital Projects - Projects are on time and moving forward.
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Staffing - Kindergarten registration is 119 and staffing levels have been adjusted to meet this enrollment.
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New School Sign - Mr. Amstutz reported that the project is underway. The Board will have a presentation soon that will provide choices based on size, functionality and price.
Board -
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The Records Committee met and set retention schedules and discussed on-line video retention.
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Board Retreat on July 27th.
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Newbury Trustees meeting in September.
1:41.50 min. Announcement of Next Board Meeting
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There will be a Board Retreat on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 8:30 am in the Board Office PD Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chesterland, OH 44026.
Observer’s Note: The Board website has posted the following information regarding the Board Retreat: The West Geauga Board of Education has scheduled a Board Retreat at the West Geauga Local Schools Board Office Professional Development Room, 8615 Cedar Road, Chesterland, Ohio 44026 on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 8:30 am. The purpose of the special meeting is to discuss strategic planning and goal setting. The Board retreat will not be streamed live. Although the meeting is open to the public, it will be a working session for board members during which no official actions will be taken.
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There will be a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 6:00 pm, in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chesterland, OH 44026.
Adjournment - passed
2026-07-288 Resolution to Adjourn
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: July 26, 2026
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