Master Facilities Conceptual Designs Presented to Board
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – February 10, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on February 10, 2025 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.
Board Attendance: President Christina Sherwood, Kathy Leavenworth, Dr. William Beers, and Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh were present. Pam Claypool was absent.
Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Richard Markwardt, Superintendent; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Meagan Bellan, Middle School Principal; Brandon Stewart, Athletic Director; Carrie Morgano, Director of Pupil Personnel; Lisa Zimmer, Teacher; and Rossi Santo, new Head Football Coach.
Other Attendees: Kathe Davis, parent; Abby Rainieri, architect-GPD Group, approximately 40-50 others (mostly families of students being recognized) and this observer.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Sherwood; the roll call was conducted and the Pledge of Allegiance recited.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda – there were none
1.35 min. Program Reports and Presentations
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Power of the Pen – Mrs. Bellan and Mrs. Zimmer presented 7 students who participated in the Power of the Pen competition. Power of the Pen empowers young people to find and develop their own unique creative voice through participation in writing tournaments. The Middle School 7th grade team finished first among 18 local schools. The local Rotary Club was thanked for sponsoring the team and covering registration costs and expenses.
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Noetic Learning Math Contest – Mrs. Morgano introduced the 10 students who participated in the contest from West Geauga. Two finished in the top tenth percentile nationally. All participants received certificates from Mrs. Morgano. Mrs. Benincasa thanked Mrs. Morgano for all her efforts.
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Master Facilities Update – Ms. Rainieri made a presentation of various architectural renderings showing the status of current building layouts, site locations and exterior designs for the proposed new high school, middle school, auditorium and field house construction. She stressed that these were only preliminary designs, and they intended to explore various options available. Additional input to refine these concepts will include meetings with various stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, and community members. Ms. Rainieri presented an estimated schedule of completion based on passage of the May 6th levy:
Overall Timeline
Expect 12-15 months for design (start Spring/Summer 2025)
Expect about 2 years for construction (start Summer 2026)
Expect new school to open Fall 2028
Mrs. Leavenworth asked about security provisions included in the design. Ms. Rainieri said that while classes were in session, the building would have only one available entrance to provide security. Mrs. Sherwood emphasized that these were only conceptual ideas and that there would be further refinement made in the designs. Dr. Marquardt stated that prior stakeholder input from previous meetings would also be used to inform final designs.
26.20 min. Public Remarks – Ms. Kathe Davis, a parent, expressed the opinion that the Master Facilities Plan needs to provide adequate space for both indoor and outdoor athletic and playground usage. She cited specific requirements for various sports and age levels. At the end of her remarks, Dr. Beers asked for a copy of her presentation.
32.40 min. Routine Items - Consent - all passed
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2025-02-041 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve January 2025 Financial Statements
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Minutes
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Certified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
35.25 min. Financial Resolutions - all passed
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2025-02-042 Resolution to Approve Warrants for January 2025
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2025-02-043 Resolution to Accept Donations - An Anonymous donation of $1,680 was received for the 5th Grade Field Trip on the Goodtime 3.
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2025-02-044 Resolution to Approve Student Activity Statement of Purpose and Budget for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-02-045 Resolution to Approve Transfer of Funds – $1,000,000 was moved from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund.
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2025-02-046 Resolution to Approve Increase in FY 2025 Appropriations
37.30 min. Personnel Resolutions – all passed
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2025-02-047 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year – This resolution included the hiring of a new football coach. Mr. Stewart introduced the new coach, Mr. Santo, who was present at the meeting. Mr. Santo spoke briefly to say he was looking forward to working with Wolverines football. Mr. Stewart indicated that there will be a “Meet the Coach” event scheduled in the near future.
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2025-02-048 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipend for Work Outside of the 2024-2025 Contractual Year
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2025-02-049 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
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2025-02-050 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-02-051 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-02-052 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Retirement
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2025-02-053 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignation
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2025-02-054 Resolution to Accept Revised Classified Staff Resignation
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2025-02-055 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-02-056 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-02-057 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-02-058 Resolution to Approve Chaperones for the Middle School 8th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
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2025-02-059 Resolution to Approve School Psychologist Observation Assignment for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-02-060 Resolution to Approve Job Description for IT Systems Support Technician
46.10 min. Policy and Program Resolutions – all passed
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2025-02-061 Resolution to Approve the 2025-2026 West Geauga High School Program of Studies
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2025-02-062 Resolution to Approve the 2025-2026 West Geauga Middle School Program of Studies
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2025-02-063 Resolution to Approve the Department of Education and Workforce's Special Education Model Policies and Procedures
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2025-02-064 Resolution to Approve the First Reading of New Policies: po2265, po6111, and po6112 ; Revised Board Policies: po5136.01R, po5200, po5500, po5780, po6110, po6114, po6320, po6325, po6460R, po7310, and po7450 ; and Replace Board Policies: po1130, po3113, po4113 and po6550 – This is the first reading of the policies. Dr. Beers asked when the second reading would be and was informed it would be on the March agenda. Dr. Marquardt said he would send out a synopsis of the changes to the board members this week.
48.00 min. Business Resolutions – all passed
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2025-02-065 Resolution to Approve College Credit Plus Partnership Memorandum of Understanding Between Cuyahoga Community College and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-02-066 Resolution to Approve College Credit Plus Partnership Agreement Between Lakeland Community College and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-02-067 Resolution to Approve College Credit Plus Memorandum of Understanding Between Kent State University and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-02-068 Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the 2024-2026 Aligned School District Service Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve for Psychologist Services
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2025-02-069 Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the 2024-2026 Aligned School District Service Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve for Curriculum Team - Pre Apprenticeship Design and Consultation
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2025-02-070 Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the 2024-2026 Aligned School District Service Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve for Occupational Therapist Services
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2025-02-071 Resolution to Approve the Chi Corporation Quote through the TIPS Purchasing Consortium to purchase a Middle School Generator
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2025-02-071 Resolution to Approve the Chi Corporation Quote through the TIPS Purchasing Consortium to purchase a Middle School Generator
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2025-02-072 Resolution to Approve the Chi Corporation Middle School Lighting Quote through the TIPS Purchasing Consortium
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2025-02-073 Resolution to Approve the Farnham Equipment Company Quote through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative for the Middle School Bleacher Replacement Project
52.20 min. Board Resolutions – all passed
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2025-02-074 Resolution to Approve the 2025-2028 West Geauga Local School Year Calendar(s) and Memorandum of Understanding – This is a 3-year school calendar that facilitates long-term planning for the school employees, families and students and it is updated annually.
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2025-02-075 Resolution to Adopt a Memorandum of Understanding with the West Geauga Education Association Regarding an Employee Severance Plan
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2025-02-076 Resolution to Adopt a Memorandum of Understanding with the West Geauga Education Association Regarding a Voluntary Consumer-Driven Healthcare Plan Option
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2025-02-077 Resolution to Approve Middle School Baseball as a Club Sport for the 2025 Calendar Year
55.35 min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - Mrs. Sherwood stated that the board needs to continue its efforts regarding transportation system issues. She also said she has been responding to members of the community regarding questions about the upcoming bond issue and asked the board to encourage these questions from the community.
57.30 min. Reports
Superintendent’s Report
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West Geauga has a student, Michael Franks, competing in the Geauga County Spelling Bee tonight.
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Seven students have qualified for the Governor’s Scholarship. Five have accepted. The scholarships are $5,000/year for four years of attendance at an Ohio college or university.
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The West Geauga Quality Profile is nearing completion. The publication will highlight those components of a quality education that are not covered by the state standard report card, such as extracurricular activities and service projects.
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Dr. Markwardt commended Treasurer Pavlat and her staff on receiving the highest evaluation possible issued by the State Auditor on the recent audit of the West Geauga financial reporting. It was deemed a “clean audit” and there were no management letter comments by the auditors.
Board Reports – no reports
1:01.30 min. Executive Session
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2025-02-078 Resolution to Adjourn to Executive Session – This session is being held to discuss a personnel matter and an investigation of charges and/or complaints. The board does not plan to take any additional actions after this executive session. Dr. Markwardt, Ms. Pavlak, Mr. Amstutz, and Ms. Miller were asked to attend the meeting.
1:46.30 min. Adjournment
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on March 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 13, 2025
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