West Geauga Board of Education - June 26, 2023
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. The meeting agenda and minutes are available online. A recording is available here.
Public Comment Policy: permitted at all regular meetings in accordance with Public Policy 169.1
Board Attendance:
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Ben Kotowski, President
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Christina Sherwood, Vice President
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Dr. William Beers - ABSENT
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Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh
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Kathy Leavenworth
Staff Attendance:
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Richard A. Markwardt, Ph.D., Superintendent
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Karen Pavlat, Treasurer
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Sean Whelan, Director of Technology, Support Operations & School Safety
Public Hearing - Retire/Rehire
Public meeting on reemployment of Sandy Razzante as a 5th-grade teacher commencing September 5, 2023, following her retirement and Cathy MacDonald as a bus driver commencing August 14, 2023, following her retirement. (Observer Note: This is permitted and is often referred to as retire/rehire.)
There were no public comments on this matter.
Regular Meeting
Call to Order - The meeting was called to order, attendance was taken and a quorum was established. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Additions/Changes to the Agenda - none. Agenda found here
Minutes: June 12, 2023 minutes were approved through the consent agenda.
Public Comment on Agenda Items: none offered
Financial Resolutions - May Financial Statements were approved through the consent agenda. APPROVED ten resolutions, including May expenditures totaling $1.6 million, a $15,000 donation from RMS Empower for the STEAM Grant Fund, Student Activity Statements, Course Fees for 2023/2024, and numerous year end budget appropriations.
Personnel Resolutions - APPROVED multiple items, including the resignation of the Director of Technology, Support Operations and School Safety, and numerous staff appointments, stipends and supplementals.
Policy and Program Resolutions - none presented.
Business Resolutions - APPROVED nine resolutions, including:
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Agreements for virtual learning, professional development and behavioral health support.
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Agreements for district insurance, food service and HVAC maintenance
Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Markwardt said they closed out the school year and are working hard to get the “right people in the right seats” with interviews and research ongoing and time consuming but both are providing great results.
Board Reports - no official report. Discussed having a retreat in August to review building reports to better educate the board on the many details that will be considered for planning decisions.
Appointment of Treasurer ‘Pro-Tempore’ - Mrs. Pavlat will be absent for the July 17, 2023 Board Meeting. Kathy Leavenworth was approved to act in her place.
Executive Session - entered into at 7:40 pm for the purpose of discussing personnel matters: investigation of charges and/or complaints. Returned to regular session at 8:52. No action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 pm.
Next Board Meeting- July 17, 2023
Observer: KC Henry
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
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