Superintendent Urges Community Members to Ask Their Legislators to Support Complete Implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan
Chardon Board of Education Regular Meeting – February 18, 2025
Meeting Details: The meeting was held at 5:30 pm, at the Chardon Board of Education building adjacent to the 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 also available here through Chardon Geauga TV (GTV) and agenda items are listed according to the time that they were discussed on the video.
0.21 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, and Board Members Todd Albright and James Midyette.
Absent: Board Member C.J. Paterniti
Staff Attendance: Superintendent Dr. Michael Hanlon, Treasurer Deb Armbruster, and Chardon High School Principal Adam Tomko.
0.49 Min Adoption of the Agenda - Approved.
The Board Presiding Officer and student leader, 2nd grade Munson Elementary student Elise Saefkow, led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mission Statement - Read by Dr. Hanlon.
2.40 Min Hearing of the Public- Agenda Items Only - There were none.
2.47 Min Consent Agenda - The board considered six items on the consent agenda 3.1-3.7, including the Minutes from the January 27, 2025 regular meeting (available here). All consent agenda items were approved. All of these items and associated documents can be found here, then selecting the meeting tab, date, agenda and number 3 on the agenda.
Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the minutes from the January
27, 2025 regular meeting Presentation of Student Liaison Report - Two high school students presented activities such as upcoming spring sports, Valentine’s Day carnation sales, and more:
-
The Student Council, National Honor Society, and Hilltopper Minds Matter teamed up to fundraise for the LA Fire Department. Raffle tickets will be sold during boys basketball home games and lunch periods during the week of February 24th and all proceeds will go towards the cause.
-
High school students heard a presentation from Tim and Tamia Woods of Do it For James Foundation (DIFJF) regarding sextortion and how to “navigate social media safely and responsibly.”
Observer Note: For additional information about Timothy and Tamia Woods, their son James, and their Do it For James Foundation (DIFJF), see the following sites: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/cleveland/news/fbi-cleveland-honors-northeastern-ohio-family-with-directors-community-leadership-award
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/06/family-of-teen-victim-applauds-ohio-lawmakers-effort-to-make-sextortion-a-crime/
7.42 Min Superintendent Report and Recommendations. Items and associated documents for 5.1-5.6 can be found here, select meetings, date, and number 5 on the agenda. All approved.
Some items of note include:
-
For professional development, licensed and certified staff engaged with Dr. John Spencer and his presentation, How Will We Respond To The AI Revolution?
-
Governor DeWine introduced his budget proposal to the Ohio legislature this month. A key proponent of his budget is how school funding will look over the next two years. Dr. Hanlon advised that the proposal indicates that Chardon will be flat funded (under the Fair School Funding Plan) for the next two years in terms of state support. This shifts more of the base cost funding to the local community. Dr. Hanlon encouraged community members to contact their legislators to urge complete implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP), including both the phase in and update of the Base Cost Inputs to Fiscal Year 2024. He noted that the Chardon District Representatives in the Ohio General Assembly are State Senator Sandra O’Brien and State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur. Ms. Fowler Arthur is the Chair of the Ohio House Education Committee.
-
Ms. Armbruster advised that this would “cause a dent” in the Five Year Forecast, as Chardon Schools would lose an estimated $750,000 of projected revenue under the current budget proposal, which lacks full FSFP implementation.
-
Chardon High School was accepted into the Chagrin Valley Conference (CVC), full participation to begin in the 2026-2027 school year. Press release document is available here.
-
24 Min Dr. Don Lewis, CVC Commissioner, presented the letter of welcome to the CVC to Dr. Hanlon and the Board. Dr. Lewis has been running the CVC for 8 years now. The CVC began with 16 teams and now has 29 teams. It is the second largest high school conference in the state of Ohio.
-
41.32 Min Building Showcase- Slide presentation is available here.
-
Chardon High School Principal Adam Tomko presented an update on Chardon High School’s Program of Studies. The high school is transitioning from an 8-period day to a 7-period day. Block scheduling will no longer be utilized.
-
Chardon High School will be offering a Family and Consumer Science class in the future. Staff is working on developing other relevant and engaging electives. Staff is working on creating a smoother transition to high school for 8th graders.
-
Mr. Tomko discussed AP and CCP (Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus) enrollment, average ACT scores, enlistment numbers, Career Based Intervention (CBI), and other employment programs and opportunities.
-
Intentional electives include refereeing where students can learn to become certified Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) referees.
-
Chardon continues to offer CCP business classes.
-
The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the Agreement between Chardon Schools and the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve for the addition of AI for Educators Training-ESCWR Curriculum Team.
-
The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve the attached Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with Millstone Management Group for Park Elementary and Munson Elementary construction projects.
-
The Superintendent made a recommendation to the Board of Education to approve Resolution 2025-03: authorizing the 2025-26 membership to the OHSAA.
1:05..11 Min Chief Financial Officer’s Report and Recommendations. Items and associated documents for 6.1-6.3 can be found here, then select meetings, date, and number 6 on the agenda. All approved
-
Tax Incentive Review Meeting - Mr. Midyette & Ms. Armbruster attended.
-
Review of all City of Chardon TIF (Tax Increment Financing) / CRA (Community Reinvestment Area) properties. Ms. Armbruster explained that these are tax-abated properties.
-
Review of existing TIF properties, including Hidden Glen, Cider Mill, and Thistle Creek
-
New RID (Rural Improvement District) properties Windemere/Willow Tree - Housing Development by new Meijer - Meadowlands extension
-
New TIF for Redwood Apartments - 90 units original, adding another 180 to 200 units
-
The city works with the district to make the taxes whole; the city collects the funds and reimburses the district.
-
1:07.50 Min Presentation of Summary January Financial Report 2025. See slides here.
-
General Fund Spending (compared to November 2024 forecast):
-
Revenue is trending up at $59,623 more than was forecasted.
-
Expenditures are trending under budget forecast by $445,248.
-
Cash Balance is favorable at $504,871 more than anticipated.
-
The district is running a lower cash balance this year compared to last year. The 2024-2025 fiscal year-end cash balance is projected to be $18.6 million, compared to $23.7 million last fiscal year.
-
January 2025 Revenue is approximately $1.4 million; most is from a tax advance. This is about $200,000 more than January 2024 revenue.
-
January 2025 Expenditures were about $3.3 million, roughly $635,000 more than the January 2024 expenditures.
-
YTD revenue is about $20.4 million, about $1.5 million less than a year ago.
-
YTD expenses are about $22.7 million, about $587,000 more than last year.
-
January Financial Podcast 2025 is available here.
1:17.50 Min Board of Education Reports and Recommendations
-
Chardon Schools Board Reports Slide Presentation here
-
1:19.10 Min Legislative Liaison Report - There was no report presented by Todd Albright.
-
1:19.33 Min Auburn Career Center Report, presented by Todd Albright, Board of Education member. Sabrina Davidson, a Chardon High School student, was elected as a SkillsUSA regional officer for the Northeast region. The SkillsUSA Regional Officer Program is a leadership development program.
-
1:20.06 Min Student/Staff Liaison Report, presented by James Midyette, Board of Education member.
-
Students shone at OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) Contests
-
Student Council raised donations for First Responders battling wildfires in LA
-
CHS AP Literature students hosted Senior Citizens and Senior Citizen’s Book Club
-
Fox 8 special forecast was live from Munson Elementary. See video shared at 1:25.35
1:28.47 Min New Business - There was none.
1:28.58 Min hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items - There was none.
1:29.18 Min Motion to adjourn approved at 6:59 pm. The video concluded at 1:29.37.
Board agendas and minutes are available online.
Next meeting is the regular meeting scheduled for March 17, 2025. The new time is 5:30 pm, as decided at the
Chardon Board of Education 2025 Organizational meeting.
Observer: Jacqueline Berger
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date submitted: 3/1/25
The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.