West Geauga School Board Honors Students Achievements and Retirees;
Updated Five-Year Forecast Includes Investment in Capital Projects
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – May 19, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on May 19, 2025 at 5:00 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 201 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section.
Board Attendance: Dr. William Beers - Acting Chairperson, Pam Claypool, Kathy Leavenworth, and Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh were present. Christina Sherwood was absent.
Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Richard Markwardt, Superintendent; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Dr. Amy Davis, Director of Pupil Personnel; Jason Branch, Band Director; Taylor DeSapri, Band Teacher; Lisa Zimmer, English & Social Studies Teacher; Carrie Morgano, Enrichment Specialist; and Meagan Bellan, MS Principal
Other Attendees: Dr. and Dr. La Favre, Jennifer Norman, approximately 140-150 parents, family, retirees, and this observer.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Dr. Beers. The roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
0.50 min. Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - Approved
2025-04-194A Resolution to Approve the Shiffler Equipment Sales, Inc. Pre-K Playground Quote through the TIPS Purchasing Consortium was added to the agenda.
2.00 min. Program Reports and Presentations
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NOETIC Learning Math Competition - Ms. Carrie Morgan introduced the students who participated in the national (41,000 contestants) semiannual problem solving contest for elementary and middle school students. West Geauga had 13 students entered (2nd through 8th grades), and there were 6 Honor Roll (top 10% nationally) and 8 Team Winners from the group.
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Ohio Music Education Association (OEMA) Competition - Mr. Jason Branch and Ms. Taylor DeSapri introduced the 30 Middle School band members who participated in solo and ensemble competition. Mr. Branch indicated that Middle School band participation has returned to pre-COVID levels.
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G.E.A.R. - Ms. Meagan Bellan introduced Dr. and Dr. La Favre, the advisors for West Geauga students participating in the G.E.A.R. national robotics challenge. They introduced each of the student participants and gave a brief explanation of the contest.
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Platinum Pen Award Winner (Cora Duxbury) - Ms. Lisa Zimmer introduced Cora Duxbury as a participant in the Power of the Pen writing competition. Her entry was judged the winner in the Northeast region. Her entry was submitted for the state-wide competition, and she emerged as the winner of the Platinum Pen for the best entry. All of the student competitors were congratulated by the Board.
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Staff Retirement - Dr. Richard Markwardt introduced all 23 retirees individually by name and years of service, and Dr. Benincasa presented each with an Apple Award. Dr. Markwardt remarked that, “...you will never know the impact you have had on these kids’ lives for many years after your retirement…. So thank you for how well you’ve treated our kids throughout your years at West Geauga.”
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Five Year Forecast Update - Mrs. Pavlat gave a presentation on the Five Year Forecast, which is required annually by the State of Ohio and is due by May 31, 2025. The forecast has three major categories:
Revenue: Revenue is growing at a rate of 1.8%. Currently, 76% of revenue comes from local sources and 24% comes from the State. Growth from local sources will come from existing levies, which will be affected by property tax re-evaluations during the 5-year period. There are 14 pending bills being considered about property taxes which may affect the property tax revenue from local sources. House Bill 96, which is now being considered by the Ohio Senate, increases voucher funding for non-public schools, which will decrease funds available for public schools. Mrs. Pavlat sees State funding remaining flat for the district.
Expenditures: Inflation is causing expenditures to increase at an annual rate of 5.7%. Existing personnel contracts have annual increases of approximately 3% for the next three years.
Cash Accounts: Cash is held by the district in two types of accounts: General Fund and Capital accounts. State requirements are for a minimum of a minimum of 60 days of operating expenses to be maintained in Cash Reserve accounts. The Board has an established policy of 120 days as a reserve. Mrs. Pavlat estimates Cash Reserve accounts will meet the board requirements for the Five Year Forecast.
Mrs. Pavlat said that the State budget will not be passed until June 2025, and the effects of the new budget will not be seen for several months after passage. The Five Year Forecast may be amended by the Board, as needed, to reflect these changes.
The March Board decision to remove the $128.2 million bond issue from the May 6th primary for the new combined campus, auditorium, and field house requires a shift in focus by the Board for capital maintenance planning for upgrades to existing facilities. Mrs. Pavlat stated that there is an existing Capital Fund that will require an additional $4.8 million dollar transfer from the General Fund. This transfer will allow the completion of Middle School projects already approved by the Board. A second capital fund needs to be established for additional capital projects in the amount of $11.5 million transferred from the General Fund. These actions are covered by Agenda Item 2025-05-155 Resolution to Authorize a Transfer to the First Capital Projects Fund (USAS 070); Establishing a Second Capital Projects Fund and Authorizing a Transfer Thereto and Item 2025-05-158 Resolution to Approve 070 Capital Plans.
Public Remarks - There were no public remarks.
1.08 min. Routine Items - Consent - All Approved
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2025-05-150 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve April 2025 Financial Statements
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Minutes from the April 14, 2025 Meeting
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Certified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
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Certified Substitute List for the 2025-2026 School Year
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Classified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
1.20 min. Financial Resolutions - All Approved
Name Amount Donated Recipient
Estate of Joe Forest $500.00 and two trumpets Music Department
Patterson Farms $3,000.00 Class of 2027
CAF - Charities Aid $200.00 HS Principal Support
Foundation of America
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2025-05-154 Resolution to Approve Then and Now Certificate - $3,437.90 for additional services from Bricker Graydon.
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2025-05-155 Resolution to Authorize a Transfer to the First Capital Projects Fund (USAS 070); Establishing a Second Capital Projects Fund and Authorizing a Transfer Thereto - The First Capital Projects Fund (USAS 070) will receive a transfer from the General Fund in the amount of $4,750.000, and a Second Capital Projects Fund is created for, but is not limited to, districtwide renovations, facilities improvements and other capital expenditures of the School District. The initial transfer from the General Fund to this second capital fund is $11,500,000.
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2025-05-156 Resolution to Accept Increase in FY 2025 Appropriations
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2025-05-157 Resolution to Approve Five Year Forecast Update
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2025-05-158 Resolution to Approve 070 Capital Plans - Mrs. Claypool stated that it was her understanding that even with the passage of this resolution, the Board would still be voting on separate issues within the plan. Mrs. Pavlat confirmed her understanding.
1.12.40 min. Personnel Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-05-159 Resolution to Approve Administrative Contract Recommendations
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2025-05-160 Resolution to Approve Manager Contract Recommendation
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2025-05-161 Resolution to Accept Administrative Staff Resignation
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2025-05-162 Resolution to Approve Administrative Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year - One of the appointments is for the new Director of Pupil Personnel, Ms. Jennifer Norman. She was introduced to the Board by Ms. Amy Davis. Ms. Davis indicated she brings experience as a principal and intervention specialist to the district.
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2025-05-163 Resolution to Approve Additional Per Diem for Administrative Staff
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2025-05-164 Resolution to Accept Certified Staff Retirements
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2025-05-165 Resolution to Accept Certified Staff Resignation
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2025-05-166 Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-167 Resolution to Award Continuing Contract Status to Certified Staff Members at the Conclusion of the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-05-168 Resolution to Approve Certified Limited Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-169 Resolution to Approve Additional Per Diem for Certified Staff in the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-05-170 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipends for Work Outside of the 2024-2025 Contractual Year
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2025-05-171 Resolution to Approve 2025 Summer Programming Stipends
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2025-05-172 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-05-173 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-05-174 Resolution to Approve Classified Stipend for Work Outside of the 2024-2025 Contractual Year
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2025-05-175 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Retirements
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2025-05-176 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignations for the 2024-2025 School Year.
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2025-05-177 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-178 Resolution to Approve Classified Probationary Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-179 Resolution to Approve Classified Limited Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-180 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-05-181 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
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2025-05-182 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days for the 2025-2026 school year
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2025-05-183 Resolution to Approve Student Internship/Student Teaching Placement for the 2025-2026 School Year
1.31.00 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-05-184 Resolution to Approve the Second and Final Reading of Revised Policy 2280 - This resolution covers revisions to the current PreSchool Program policy.
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2025-05-185 Resolution to Approve the Second and Final Reading of Revised Board Policies: po1616, po1662, po2260, po2260.02, po2266, po2623, po2623.02, po3122, po3140, po3216, po3362, po4122, po4124, po4140, po4216, po4362, po5111, po5310, po5517, po6680, po8600, po8600.04, po8640, po8650, and po8660
1.31.40 min. Business Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-05-186 Resolution to Approve the All Ways Construction, LLC Quote for the Purchase of Sidewalks
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2025-05-187 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement between McKeon Education Group and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-188 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement between McKeon Education Group and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-189 Resolution to Approve the Customer Agreement between Schoolytics and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-190 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement between Education Alternatives and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-191 Resolution to Approve the Student Transportation Agreement between Education Alternatives and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-192 Resolution to Approve the School District Placement Contract between Wings of Change Therapy, Inc and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-05-193 Resolution to Declare Emergency Circumstances to Purchase the Replacement of the High School Main Entrance Doors in the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-05-194 Resolution to Approve the Shiffler Equipment Sales, Inc. Pre-K Furniture Quote through the TIPS Purchasing Consortium
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2025-05-195 Resolution to Rescind the Award of Bid for the 2024 Public Water Well Installation with H.A.D., Inc
1.38.10 min. Board Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-05-196 Resolution to Establish Expense Reimbursement Rates
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2025-05-197 Resolution to Determine that Chromebooks used by the Class of 2025 are Deemed Obsolete or Equal to a Nominal Fair Market Value
1.41.40 min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - The Board revisited the issue of voucher funding for private schools by the Legislature. The Board is studying the possibility of joining the Vouchers Hurt Ohio Coalition, which is suing the State of Ohio. Mrs. Claypool stated that she would like to see arguments from both sides of this issue. Mrs. Leavenworth stated her opposition to the voucher program, particularly with regard to the expansion of its application. Dr. Markwardt said that he and Mrs. Pavlat would prepare information for the Board on the issue for discussion at the June 23rd meeting.
1.50.50 min. Reports
Joint Recreation Board Appointment - It was noted that an item was left off the agenda. A motion to add a resolution to the agenda was approved. A resolution to appoint Mark Widmar to the Joint Recreation Board was made, seconded, and approved.
Next Meeting: The next regular meeting will be on Monday, June 9, 2025 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
1.55.20 min. Adjournment
2025-04-149 Resolution to Adjourn
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: May 31, 2025
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