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League of Women Voters of Geauga

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West Geauga Board of Education

LWV Geauga Observer Corps




 

Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on Feb 13, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.  Meetings are open to the public and media. Agenda and minutes are available online. The agenda for February 13, 2023 is available.   A recording of the meeting is available via YouTube. 


Board Attendance:

  • Ben Kotowski, President  

  • Christina Sherwood, Vice President

  • William Beers

  • Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh

  • Kathy Leavenworth

Staff Attendance:

  • Richard A. Markwardt, Ph.D., Superintendent  ABSENT

  • Karen Pavlat, Treasurer/CFO

Minutes: January 9, 2023 approved through the consent agenda

 

Agenda: No additions to agenda.  Agenda was approved unanimously

 

Public remarks:  A parent of two WG students presented information to the board about his wife (they are in the process of divorcing).  He said that she is an officer of the PTO, according to the website.  He said that she is presently being sued for stealing over 1 million from a company for which they are both shareholders.  He felt that the board should know this.  He suggested that the board have processes to prevent this happening to the PTO.  He detailed many ways that he alleges that she defrauded this company.  


The Board took the documents provided.  It was reported that the PTO funds are separate, and that she would have no access to any general West Geauga funds.

 

Erica Zapiero requested that lacrosse become a school sport (in 2022, lacrosse became a club sport).  It had been discussed that it would be a school sport in 2023.  She said it seems that it will be turned down because of inability to fund transportation (as they already do for boys lacrosse).  She requests more information on how they are solving this problem.

 

All routine resolutions were approved.


Observer Note:  This report was moved to the end to accommodate the fact that the student could not be present earlier

Program report presentation by Caleb Wright (7th grade) about his Community Service Project for his 4-H Club, PlantMasters. He wants to fill and maintain bird feeders around the school.  The Club will look for sponsors as well as covering costs through the club. The Board asked if there could be a marked trail. He responded that there is a trail now.  


Superintendent Report: no report


Board Committees -  no reports


Facilities planning - Mr. Kotowski suggested that they have updates/reports at following meetings from the facilities committee.   It was agreed that the facility report will become an agenda item.


Next meeting will be Monday Feb 27, 2023.


Resolution to Adjourn – approved 


Name of Observer: KC Henry

Editor: Anne Ondrey

Reviewer: Gail Roussey

Date Submitted: 2/16/23


The League of Women Voters of 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.


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