Ribbon Cutting for New Transportation Hub Scheduled for December 15th;
Tennis Court Construction Underway
Chardon Board of Education Regular Meeting – November 19, 2025
Meeting Details: The meeting was held at 5:30 pm at the Chardon Board of Education building adjacent to Chardon Middle School at 428 North Street, Chardon. Here is the link to the available Meeting Agendas and Minutes. Click on the meetings tab on the right to access the Agendas and Minutes. The board meeting video is available here. Agenda items are listed according to the time that they were discussed on the video.
0:25 Min ROLL CALL AND WELCOME - Meeting was called to order. It was stated that this meeting is being held in accordance with Section 3313.16 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Attendance: Board President Karen Blankenship, Vice President Andrea Clark, Todd Albright
Absent: C.J Paterniti, James Midyette
Staff Attendance: Superintendent Dr. Michael Hanlon, Treasurer Deb Armbruster, Assistant Treasurer Crystal King-Morrison, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ed Klein.
2:09 Min Adoption of the Agenda - Approved.
The Board Presiding Officer and student leader, 1st grade Park Elementary student, Jackson Mirsalis, led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mission Statement - Read by Dr. Hanlon.
4:45 Min Hearing of the Public - Agenda Items Only - No speaker requests.
4:50 Min Consent Agenda - The board considered nine items on the consent agenda, including the Minutes from the Special Meetings of October 13, and November 1, 2025. All approved. All of these items 3.1-3.11, and associated documents/contracts can be found here, then selecting the meeting tab, date, agenda and number 3 on the agenda. Highlights from the consent agenda include but are NOT limited to:
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Minutes of the Special Meetings of October 13, here and November 1, 2025, here.
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2025-26 CHS Fees Schedule for Infinite Campus Online here.
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the Student Breakfast and Lunch Fees for the 2025-26 school year as listed below:
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the attached contract for the Great Lakes Theater School Residency Program visits for the fall and spring of the 2025-26 school year. See individual contracts under 3.10,
8:00 Min Student Liaison Report presentation here, presented by Haidyn Bunker and Aubrey Fetchik.
12:06 Min Superintendent Report and Recommendations - Items and associated documents for 5.1-5.9 can be found here, select meetings, date, and number 5 on the agenda. All items, recommendations, and contracts were approved unless noted otherwise. Highlights from the Superintendent’s Report and Recommendations include but are NOT limited to:
“Location and Rationale: Dr. Hanlon explained that the new Tennis Court Location is situated next to the Alcan (the drive connecting the High School to the Middle School), which is also known as the Butala Field. This site was determined to be the most economical option for the new courts for the following reasons:
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The Tennis Courts will be centrally located on the Chardon campus.
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The site offers close proximity to necessary utilities.
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There is appropriate parking available nearby and additional parking within the project.
Project Schedule and Management: Dr. Hanlon reported that the District is currently working closely with the City of Chardon. The goal is to adhere to the schedule and have the new courts completed by the spring. The approved Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for this project is Millstone Construction.
“An important agenda item was discussion around the property tax “piggyback” provision. Geauga County Auditor, Charles Walder, presented an important overview of the implications of enacting this provision. Following that, Superintendents and Treasurer/CFOs from area school districts spoke on the impact of the piggyback on their school district. Mrs. Armbruster spoke specifically about the Chardon impact.
Following comment, the Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to not enact the piggyback provision. We are appreciative of the Commissioners for their thoughtful consideration of this issue and recognizing that this is not the vehicle to deliver the meaningful property tax relief we all encourage.” Reviewer Note: See the LWV Geauga Observer Report on the November 18, 2024 Commissioners Meeting for more information.
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17:50 Min - Teacher Spotlight Presentation
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4th grade English Language Arts ( ELA ) teachers at Chardon Middle School, Kathleen Haberle, Jennifer Kreuz and Catie Montagna, highlighted planned Heart Day activities for CMS.
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve OMNI & STACG Contract Documents & Plan Documents. See 5.3 in the agenda for individual contract document links.
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding here, between the Chardon Local Schools Board of Education, CACE (classified employees) and CEA (Chardon Education Association) related to the payment of HSA (Health Savings Account) annual contribution to specific employees. Observer Note: This Memorandum states that “effective January 1, 2026, the District’s PPO health insurance plan will sunset and all employees will transition to a High Deductible / Health Savings Account (HD /HSA) plan”. According to the memorandum, by law they cannot pay into an HSA if the employee is eligible for medicare, so other provisions are listed in the memorandum.
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the attached Millstone Management Group change order for the Tennis Courts Project to include storm and retaining wall modifications per drawing update.
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the attached collaboration between Chardon High School and Varsity Brands for participation in the Varsity IMPACT Program (VIP). Document available here.
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve Chardon High School Girls Flag Football as a Club Sport.
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The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the attached new course of study, The Art of Fear: Stories of Suspense. Course overview available here.
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Pursuant to Board of Education Policy 0166, the Superintendent presented the following policies for first reading. No Approval Needed.
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Policy 4162: DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF CDL LICENSE HOLDERS WHO PERFORM SAFETY-SENSITIVE FUNCTIONS AND ARE SUBJECT TO DOT TESTING
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Policy 4162.01: DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF EMPLOYEES WITHOUT CDL LICENSES WHO TRANSPORT STUDENT IN ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES
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Policy 8600: TRANSPORTATION
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Policy 8600.04: BUS AND ALTERNATIVE VEHICLE DRIVER CERTIFICATION
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Policy 8640: TRANSPORTATION FOR NON-ROUTINE TRIPS
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Policy 8650: TRANSPORTATION BY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES
35:50 Min Chief Financial Officer’s Report and Recommendations - Associated documents for 6.1-6.6 can be found here, then select meetings, date, and number 5 on the agenda. All approved unless otherwise noted. Some highlights of the presentation include but are NOT limited to:
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35:50 Min Link to October 2025 Financial Summary Reports
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Link to October 2025 Financial AI Summary Video
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41:55 Min Link to HB 920 Presentation
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Donations report (including anonymous funding for tennis courts) here.
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The Board of Education approved the attached letter here between Charles Walder, Auditor and the Chardon Board of Education requesting tax advances for 2025-20265 & 2026-2027 School years.
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It was recommended to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Final Appropriations Measure as presented. Changes include a large donation to the 070 Capital Projects Fund (tennis courts), Increased 401 Auxiliary to Match State Estimates, Increase for Workers Compensation, Grant adjustments, and an adjustment in Permanent Improvement for tax revenues.
54:01 Min Board of Education Reports and Recommendations -
Slide presentation for the Board of Education can be found here.
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Chardon Schools Foundation (no slides) - Ms. Clark advised grant requests are due back before the winter break (no specific date given).
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55:50 Min Legislative Liaison (no slides) - Mr. Albright expressed thanks to Dr. Hanlon and Board members who continue to advocate for Fair School Funding and to County Commissioners for advocacy for the tax payers. He very briefly mentioned HB 129, 186 and 309 and the portion of HB 33 that expanded grade bands for teachers. There was some discussion as to:
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the implementation of Fair School Funding and its constitutionality
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the state’s continuous decrease in funding to public education while placing more burden on local tax payers while also writing bills that address property tax reform.
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Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) Legislation Tracker Observer Note: This item and the one below are usually noted in the Agenda but not discussed at meetings.
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OSBA Facts in a Flash
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Auburn Career Center (no slides) - Mr. Albright said that Superintendent Glaven reports the two highest enrollment years in history due to innovations at Auburn Career Center, but that there are still 240 unoccupied seats. The Center is looking at filling senior-only programs and reconfiguring the current programs to focus more on stronger programs such as medical and manufacturing. They are also utilizing more flexible scheduling for students to take business internships.
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Student, Staff and Liaison Report (some slides above) - James Midyette presented.
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Governor’s Merit Scholarship Recipients.
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Students Honor Veterans on Veteran’s Day, inviting veteran family members and friends to school for an assembly.
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CHS Girls Cross Country compete and place 18th at Ohio High School Athletics Association State Meet.
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CHS sends 37 delegates to the Cleveland Council on World Affairs Autumn Conference at Case Western Reserve University to participate in a Model United Nations conference.
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1:16.50 Min Pursuant to Board of Education Bylaw 0175.1, the Board of Education made a recommendation to approve the request of new Board of Education member, Gordon Landies, to attend the Annual Capital Conference of the Ohio School Boards Association, including conference registration and related expenses. Date of the Conference: November 16-18, 2025.
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Pursuant to Board of Education Bylaw 0175.1, the Board of Education made a recommendation to approve the request of new Board of Education member, Ashish Galhotra, to attend the Annual Capital Conference of the Ohio School Boards Association including conference registration and related expenses. Date of the Conference: November 16-18, 2025.
Approval for the two items above was retroactive.
1:18.30 Min New Business - No new business.
1:18.38 Min - Hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items - There were no speaker requests.
1:18.45 Min - A motion was made and approved for the Board of Education of the Chardon Local School District to adjourn to Executive Session at approximately 6:50 pm for the purpose(s) of:
(1) The appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of an employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against an employee, official, licensee or regulated individual, unless the employee official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing.
Mrs. Blankenship advised that no action would be taken after the executive session and the video ended at 1:19.34 Min.
Link to Board of Education Policy 0167.2, Executive Sessions.
Board agendas and minutes are available online.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2025 at the new Transportation Department. Ribbon cutting will be at 4:30 pm with the meeting to begin at 5:30 pm in the same location.
Virtual Observer: Jacqueline Berger
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Rooney Moy
Date submitted: December 5, 2025
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