West Geauga Board of Education - Oct 16th, 2023
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met at 7 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.
Public Comment Policy: Permitted at all regular meetings in accordance with Public Policy 169.1
Board Attendance:
Staff Attendance:
Regular Meeting
Observer Note: There are notations at the beginning of important discussion areas, and this corresponds to the minutes on the video when that discussion began.
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 (Addition) - 359a Resignation of Service Contractor
Program Reports and Presentations
1:39 National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists & Commended Students Presentation - Mr. Ryan Patti, High School Principal. There are two National Merit Semifinalists and two National Merit Commended Scholars. This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
10:19 Presentation by Mr Jeff Fanger for the Master Facility Planning Committee: The committee is presenting two plan options:
A. New high school - repurpose the middle school - $87million
B. New middle school and a new high school - $115 million
No decision needs to be made tonight, but additional long delays have a strong potential to dramatically increase the cost.
31:13 Karen Pavlot reporting: Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) program reviewed the facilities and gave their recommendation (after working with WG for multiple years) to have two new buildings which would be housing 1) the combined older and 2) combined younger students. This does not agree with the Master Planning Committee recommendation. If the OFCC recommendation is not followed, their funding would no longer be available for this project. There are many nuances, limitations and restrictions regarding the funding timing and the building decisions. Funding would not be available for as long as a 10-year wait and even then might not have all funds available at that time (due to being partially dependent on future enrollment). WG qualifies as a wealthy community so is only being offered 5% of the project cost and the delays in pay back may negate some of the benefits of this rather small (percentage-wise) grant. Board needs to make a decision by Oct 19, 2023.
52:41 Ms Pavlot also reported that the County Auditor tax valuation increases (residential) are at 30% or higher. HB 187 allows for a three-year average for the evaluation of tax assessment. The Ohio House has approved it and is now waiting for State Senate approval. The companion bill might also influence the cash return and could dramatically influence anticipated school support.
1.04.12 Public Remarks: Janet Cramer commented on March being a difficult time to come up with building funds. She also asked about the timing of the increase of taxes. The master planning committee representative responded to her question (it is difficult to hear during this section of the video).
Resolved to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
1.13:08 Personnel Resolutions were approved - including staff contracts, unpaid days, transportation route assignments etc.
Policy and program resolutions - none
1.16:01 Business Resolutions Approved - This includes agreements with Chester Township, Education Center of The Western Reserve, TorchLight Youth mentoring, Education Center of NE Ohio, McKeon Education Group, etc.
1.19:56 Board Resolutions - The following was not approved (unanimous) due to the imposed limitations and restrictions in the grant: Resolution to Enter Into A School Building Project Agreement Under the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission Expedited Local Partnership Program
1.22:37 - Superintendent Report: The Quality Profile is being completed and will be shared with the community to show what students are achieving outside of academics.
1.24:53 - Board Reports - A board member reported that she again got to see the band at OSU and enjoyed seeing how the band members celebrated their band leader, Jason Branch.
1.27:32 Resolution to Adjourn to Executive Session
1.41:25 Reconvene into Regular Session
Resolved to appoint Chris Dimoccus to WG Joint Recreational District Board
Announcement of Next Board Meeting (via web site): November 20,2023
1.42:28 Resolved to Adjourn
Observer: KC Henry
Editor & Reviewer: Anne Ondrey
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