Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met 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 27, 2023 is available. A recording of the meeting is available via YouTube.
Board Attendance:
Staff Attendance:
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Richard A. Markwardt, Ph.D., Superintendent
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Karen Pavlat, Treasurer/CFO
Minutes: Feb 13, 2023 minutes approved through the consent agenda
Agenda: No additions to agenda. Agenda was approved unanimously with a small change regarding the Resolution 84 - see below.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda
BOE unanimously approved to change resolution 84 to read:
“Be it resolved that by the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the BOE approves the hosting of the Chester Township Police Physical Fitness & Wellness Program and Approves the Corresponding Waiver.”
Presentation by Mrs. Meagan Bellan, Middle School Principal, of seventh-grader Janna Winningham, 1st place winner of National Association of Conservation Districts Poster Contest. The contest addresses soil and water conservation and the winning poster focused on the theme: “Healthy Water - Healthy Life.”
Presentation by Brandon Stewart, Athletic Director, Girls Lacrosse Team. This growing program is relatively expensive (with lacrosse sticks at $400 each). As this is an emerging sport in the area, games might be as far as one hour away to find another girls’ lacrosse team. Mr. Stewart said there’s a lot of excitement that girls’ lacrosse will now be a varsity sport. They have worked on logistics, transportation, field use and everything is ready to go. BOE approved, out of order from the stated agenda, (while lacrosse team members were still present) resolution 83 to approve the West Geauga Girls Lacrosse Program as a Varsity Sport.
Presentation by Ryan Patti, High School Principal on Cafe 306 (formerly known as Cafe Achieve). After a few years off, plans are developing for the next steps for Cafe 306. The concept was established in 2016 to develop students’ job skills. They sold pencils and trinkets and later snacks. The Cafe took a few years off but the hope is to grow and create a business program in the school under the direction of the business teacher. They are creating an enterprise fund with start up money to purchase a shirt press to produce shirts for students. School logo shirts would be sold in the store, after school hours, and at events, and are not intended to compete with Booster spirit-wear clothing sales. They then hope to move into providing snacks. Any snacks sold in future would be USDA approved items.
Public Remarks - none
The financial reports showed income, expenditures, cash flow and investments to be on track.
All routine items and resolutions were approved.
Superintendent Report: The school newsletter, Wolverine tracks, will be out soon. Three students were given special recognition as National Merit Finalists.
Board Reports
It was reported that the Board facility committee is seeking comprehensive reporting to the full board on multiple areas including facility master planning. This will be covered at future meetings starting next month.
Next meeting: March 13 2023
Resolution to Adjourn – approved
Name of Observer: KC Henry
Edited by: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 3/4/23
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