West Geauga School Board Continues Bus Route Discussions
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Board Meeting - 9/9/2024
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on September 9, 2024 at 7:00 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.
Observer Note: Technical difficulties prevented audio recording for approximately the first 30 minutes of the meeting. The report notes the minute mark where each topic is discussed. This Observer attended in person.
Board Attendance:
● Christina Sherwood, President
● Dr. William Beers
● Pam Claypool
● Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh
● Kathy Leavenworth
Staff Attendance:
● Karen Pavlat, Treasurer
● Dr. Richard Markwardt, Superintendent
● Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent
Other Attendees:
● Katie Davis, West Geauga parent
● Approximately 20 other unidentified members of the public and staff
● This LWV Observer
Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm, roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Additions and/or changes to the Agenda - Treasurer Pavlat said that there were no additions to the
agenda.
1.20 Min. Program Reports and Presentations - Presentations are available here by going to the meeting date, clicking on Agenda
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West Geauga Middle School Band (WGMB) - Mr. Jason Branch and Mrs. Taylor DeSapri made a presentation involving the WGMB being invited to attend Dublin, Ireland’s New Year’s Eve Celebration for the school year 2026-2027.
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Mr. Scott Amstutz - Director of Informational Technology and Operations made a presentation regarding Middle School Projects.
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Ms. Pavlat - Treasurer/CFO presented an update concerning the Master Facility and Enrollment Plan.
42.0 Min. Public Remarks
Katie Davis, a West Geauga parent, said that while there has been some shortening of the time spent on bus routes, the Board should continue working on the problem.
44.30 Min. Routine Items - All approved
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2024-09-292 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve Minutes of August 19, 2024 Meeting
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Resolution to Approve the Certified Substitute List for 2024-2025 School Year
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Resolution to Approve the Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
44.50 Min. Financial Resolutions - All approved
Ohio High School Athletic Association $2,000.00 WG Athletic Dept.
Geauga West Rotary Club $450.00 Power of the Pen
45.30 Min. Personnel Resolutions - All Approved
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2024-09-295 Resolution to Approve Change in Certified Contract - Certified Salary Movement for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2024-09-296 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2024-09-297 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Retirements.
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2024-09-298 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2024-09-299 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2024-09-300 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2024-09-301 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
48.25 Min. Business Resolutions - All Approved
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2024-09-302 Resolution to Approve Ohio Schools Cooperative Advertising and Receiving Bids for School Bus Chassis and Bodies
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2024- 09-303 Resolution to Approve Revised Bus Routes for the 2024-2025 School Year - There was significant discussion among the board about busing. It was decided to table the motion until a future board meeting. The Motion to Table passed.
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2024-09-304 Resolution to Approve the Great Minds Quote for Wit and Wisdom Resources
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2024-09-305 Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the Agreement Between the West Geauga Local School district and the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve
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2024-09-306 Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the Agreement Between the West Geauga Local School District and the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve
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2024-09-307 Resolution to Approve the 2024-2025 Pupil Transportation Agreement between the West Geauga Local School District and Suburban School Transportation Company, Inc.
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2024-09-308 Resolution to Approve the School District Placement Contract between Wings of Change Therapy, Inc., and the West Geauga Local School District for the 24-25 School Year
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2024-09-309 Resolution to Approve the Proposal with Shiffler Equipment Sales, Inc., for the Replacement and Purchase of New Lockers for West Geauga High School
1:09.0 Min. Board Resolutions - All Approved
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2024-09-310 Resolution to Appoint Kristen Foerster West Geauga Community Joint Recreation District Trustee
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2024-09-311 Resolution to Approve the Pre-Bond Planning Services Proposal Between GPD Group and West Geauga Local School District
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2024-09-312 Resolution to Approve Board Action to Approve the Salary Increase and Modify the Employment Agreement of the Superintendent
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2024-09-313 Resolution to Approve Board Action to Approve the Salary Increase and Modify the Employment Agreement of the Treasurer
1:11.0 Min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions on Future Agenda Items - All Approved
An ongoing discussion of bus routes, clarification on enrollment, pay for bus drivers, and an
update on the Master Plan, will be added to the next agenda.
1:12.20 Min. Reports
Superintendent Report - Dr. Markardt informed the Board that the Rock the Block event was postponed because of the weather and he will notify the Board if it will be rescheduled. He mentioned that Wolverine Tracks features many of the extracurricular activities available to students. He said a Business View Magazine article highlights the District and thanked Caves Construction for their advertising support.
Board Report - Mrs. Sherwood commented on how impressed she was with the District’s booth at the Geauga County Fair this year. Dr. Markwardt thanked Mrs. Healy for the design and implementation of the booth.
1:18.20 Min. Executive Session
Board Adjourned at 8:16 pm for Executive Session - Reasons provided for Executive Session were listed by Mrs. Sherwood as “...personnel matters: appointments and/or employment, compensation, and investigation of charges and/or complaints.”
1:57.30 Min. Reconvene into Regular Session - The meeting was reconvened at 8:57 pm. The Board did not take any action after the Executive Session.
1:58.0 Adjournment: - Meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm
Next Meeting: The next regular meeting will be September 23rd, 2024 at 6:30 pm in the Board Office
Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
Adjournment:
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: September 30, 2024
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