Board Approves Placing $128,200,000 Bond Issue on May 6, 2025 Ballot
West Geauga Board of Education Tax Budget Hearing, Organizational Meeting, and Regular Meeting - January 13, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on January 13, 2025 at 6:30 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.
Board Attendance: President Christina Sherwood, Kathy Leavenworth, Dr. William Beers, Pam Claypool, and Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh were present.
Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Richard Markwardt, Superintendent; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent, and Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology.
Other Attendees: There were 9 - 10 unidentified attendees and this Observer.
Opening of the Tax Budget Hearing: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by President Pro-Tempore Christina Sherwood and the roll call was conducted. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.45 min. 2025-26 Tax Budget Presentation: Ms. Pavlat made the tax budget presentation, which is an annual process that is updated to include the most recent year with tax data available, 2024. This information will be submitted to: 1) the County Auditor for review and 2) as part of the levy process.
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Assessed Property Valuations - For the period 2013-2024, annual valuations showed only slight percentage variations until the most recent reassessment by the County Auditor. The current total property assessed value for the district as of 2024 is $1,255,779,970. This results in a property tax collection amount for the district of approximately $1,231,000 per mill at a 98% collection rate.
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Property Tax Effective Rates - Reviewer Note: Property tax effective rate refers to converting property tax millage to today’s dollars. The value of a mill generally increases over time along with property values. However, for any given tax levy, Ohio House Bill 920 requires the value of a mill to be fixed at whatever it was when the levy was originally approved by voters. In order to keep the value of a mill fixed as HB 920 mandates, calculated effective millage usually decreases over time. The combined effective property tax effective rates for the General Fund and the Permanent Improvement Fund for the period 2015-2024 was displayed. The effective rate showed a steady decline from 37.40 mills in 2016 to 23.98 mills in 2024. These effective rates include partial tax levy suspensions of $1M in 2023 and $1.75M in 2024.
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Effective Tax Rates By District - West Geauga’s effective tax rate of 23.98 mills is the third lowest among local districts, with Cardinal the lowest at 21.28 mills and Chagrin Falls the highest at 44.13 mills.
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Property Tax Collection Percentages - Effective collection rates from 2014-2024 show a range from 102.80% in 2022 with the Newbury transfer to a low of 95.12% in 2023 due to PUPP (Public Utility Personal Property) tax delinquency. Reviewer Note: More information about PUPP taxes is available here. Also, Newbury Local Schools were merged into West Geauga Local Schools beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year.
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Estimated Taxes Levied by Fund FY 2025-2026 at a 98% collection rate -
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Property Taxes $25,828,398
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Emergency Fund $4,848,673
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Permanent Improvement Fund $1,230,665
16.20 min. Organization of the Board for 2025- The following persons were nominated and elected unanimously:
Ms. Pavlat administered the oath of office for each officer.
2025 Board Meeting Dates, Time and Location
2025-01-003 Resolution to Approve 2025 Board Meeting Dates, Time and Location - Passed
This schedule is available on the Board’s web site.
Establishment of Service Fund
2025-01-004 Resolution to Approve Establishment of Service Fund - Passed
The "Service Fund" is to be used only in paying the expenses of members actually incurred in the performance of their duties, or of their official representatives, or of members-elect of the Board actually incurred in the training and orientation to the performance of their duties and is set at $20,000.
Compensation for Board Members
2025-01-005 Resolution to Approve 2025 Compensation for Board Members - Passed
Current compensation for Board members is $125 per meeting with a maximum number of meetings set at 24.
Board Appointments on Behalf of the Board
2025-01-006 Resolution to Approve Board Appointments on Behalf of the Board - Passed
Adopt Operating Protocol for Regular Meetings
2025-01-007 Resolution to Adopt Operating Protocol for Regular Meetings - Passed
Regular Board Meetings will operate as follows:
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Opening of Meeting
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Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda
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Program Reports & Presentations
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Public Remarks
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Routine Items
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Financial Resolutions
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Personnel Resolutions
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Policy and Program Resolutions
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Business Resolutions
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Board Resolutions
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Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be included on Future Agenda
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Reports
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Adjournment
25.00 min. Treasurer’s Business - All passed; resolution details available here
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2025-01-008 Resolution to Approve Authorization Resolution for January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 - This is a standard omnibus resolution allowing the Board and Treasurer to manage financial business of the Board.
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2025-01-009 Resolution to Authorize Treasurer to File Tax/Counter Tax Complaints
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2025-01-010 Resolution to Approve the Designation of Newspapers - Approval of newspapers to be used to announce board meetings.
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2025-01–011 Resolution to Approve the Representation of Legal Counsel
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2025-01–012 Resolution to Approve 2025 Membership in the Ohio School Boards Association
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2025-01–013 Resolution Authorizing 2025-2026 Membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association
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2025-01–014 Resolution to Approve the Designation of Taylor Insurance Group as Health Insurance Broker/Consultant for Calendar Year 2025
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2025-01–015 Resolution to Authorize the Board President and Treasurer to Borrow Funds
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2025-01–016 Resolution to Adopt the 2024-2025 Alternative Tax Budget - States that a Tax Budget Hearing was held and the results of the hearing are to be sent to the Geauga County Budget Commission.
28.45 min. Superintendent’s Business - All passed; resolution details available here
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2025-01–017 Resolution to Approve the Authorization Resolution for January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025
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2025-01–018 Appointment of Designated Staff Appointment for the 2025 Calendar Year
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2025-01–019 Resolution to Approve Support Groups for the 2025 Calendar Year
31.10 min. Adjournment - Passed
2025-01–020 Resolution to Adjourn Tax Budget Hearing/Organizational Board Meeting and Convene the Regular Board Meeting - Meeting adjourned at 7:03 pm.
31.50 min. Opening of Regular Meeting
The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by President Sherwood and the roll call was conducted. All board members remained present.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - Ms. Pavlat said that Resolution 2025-01-37A was added to the agenda.
Program Reports and Presentations - There were none.
Public Remarks - There were none.
33.10 min. Routine Items - Consent - All passed; resolution details available here.
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2025-01–021 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve December 2024 Financial Statements
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Minutes (December 16, 2024 regular meeting)
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Certified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
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Classified Substitute List for 2024-2025 School Year
33.40 min. Financial Resolutions - All were approved; resolution details available here.
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2025-01–022 Resolution to Approve Warrants for December, 2024
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2025-01–023 Resolution to Accept Donations - The following donation was accepted:
Geauga Retired Teachers Association donated $250.00 to purchase Dyslexia: An Auditory Approach by Paula Wylie
34.50 min. Personnel Resolutions - All were approved; Resolution details available here.
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2025-01-025 Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-01-026 Resolution to Accept Certified Staff Resignations
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2025-01-027 Resolution to Approve Revised Certified Long-Term Substitute Assignment
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2025-01-028 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-01-029 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-01-030 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignations
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2025-01-031 Resolution to Accept Revised Classified Staff Resignation
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2025-01-032 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
38.10 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - Passed
38.30 min. Business Resolutions - All passed; resolution details available here.
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2025-01-034 Resolution to Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement for Supplemental Student Transportation Services between Community Bus Services, Inc. and West Geauga Local Schools
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2025-01-035 Resolution to Declare Emergency circumstances to Purchase the Replacement of a Main Heat Exchanger in the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-01-036 Resolution to Approve the Services Agreement between PublicSchoolWORKS and West Geauga Local Schools
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2025-01-037 Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the 2024-2025 School Year Aligned School District Service Agreement between West Geauga Local School district an the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve
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2025-01-037A Resolution to Approve the School Transportation Contract between Buckeye Logistics & Transit and West Geauga Local Schools
43.45 min. Board Resolution - Passed
Resolved on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the Board of Education of the West Geauga Local School District hereby approves the Resolution to Proceed with an Issue of Bonds in the amount of $128,200,000 and Certifying the same to the Board of Elections. Reviewer Note: More information on the Bond Issue is available in the West Geauga Board of Education Observer Reports from December 11, 2024 and December 16, 2024. As stated at the December 16 Board meeting, West Geauga plans for the Bond Issue to be on the May 6, 2025 ballot to fund the construction of a 6-12 building, renovation of the current middle school to a K-5 building, and the construction of an auditorium.
Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included in Future Agenda
There were no items discussed.
44.40 min. Reports
Dr. Markwardt said it was OSBA (Ohio School Board Association) Board Member Appreciation Month. He thanked the Board for their efforts. He said that much of the work they do is in addition to attending board meetings and includes reading numerous reports and creating presentations for their meetings. He also said the High School and Middle School Program of Studies and school calendars would be on the next meeting agenda. Dr. Markwardt indicated that he plans to deal with some parent concerns regarding weapons and their references in classroom assignments.
47.40 min. Executive Session
The board adjourned to Executive Session at 7:19 pm in order to conference with legal counsel and discuss negotiations. The Board invited Ms. Princehorn (board attorney), Dr. Markwardt, Ms. Pavlat and Dr. Benincasa into Executive Session.
1:35.00 min. Reconvene into Regular Session - The Board reconvened into regular session at 8:05 pm.
Adjournment - Resolution passed
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on February 10, 2025 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: February 10, 2025
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