Board Honors Academic Achievement
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – April 14, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on April 14, 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, and Board members Kathy Leavenworth, Dr. William Beers, Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh, and Pam Claypool were present.
Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Richard Markwardt, Superintendent; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Ryan Patti, High School Principal; Stephanie Meyer, Science Teacher; Jason Branch, Band Director; Taylor Desapio, Band Teacher;
Melissa Becerra, Lindsey Elementary School Principal; Amy Davis, Director of Pupil Personnel; and Cindy O’Janpa, English teacher.
Other Attendees: Approximately twenty-five to thirty unidentified attendees (parents and other community members) 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.
0.51 min. Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda – There were none.
1.18 min. Program Reports and Presentations
-
Academic Challenge - Ryan Patti and Cindy O'Janpa introduced the West Geauga Academic Challenge team. The team won the Academic Challenge contest presented by News 5 Cleveland WEWS on March 22nd. They defeated teams from Vermillion and Orange High Schools. The team consisted of Team Captain Parker Pacifico and members Hayden Makuch and Mason Towey. Team alternates were Morgan Savage, Tristan Morgan, Matilda Tumada and Production Assistant Eve Carty. The board and Dr. Markwardt offered congratulations to all. Reviewer Note: See article here for information.
-
Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSEF) - Stephanie Meyer introduced two West Geauga High School students who earned honors at the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSEF). Myca Mykhaela "Matilda" Tumada (Senior)
Project Title: Development of Antimicrobial Soap Formulated with Rambutan Extract and its Impact on Bacterial Growth
Overall Award: 2nd Place Chemistry
Special Awards from the American Chemical Society - Cleveland Section, Cleveland Clinic - Lerner Research Institute, and the William R. Sweet Award for Chemistry
Robert Vash (Senior)
Project Title: Presentation of an Alternative Lock Design
Overall Award: 3rd Place Engineering
Special Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers - Cleveland Section
Ms. O’Janda singled out the West Geauga Kiwanis Club for their sponsorship and support of the NEOSEF team.
The board congratulated the two award winners.
Public Remarks - there were none
16.15 min. Routine Items - Consent - All passed
-
2025-04-108 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
-
Resolution to Approve March 2025 Financial Statements
-
Minutes - March 14, 2025 Meeting Reviewer Note: Meeting Minutes are available here once approved and posted by clicking on the date of the meeting and choosing Minutes from the options
-
Certified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
-
Classified Substitute List for the 2024-2025 School Year
16.50 min. Financial Resolutions - All passed
2025-04-109 Resolution to Approve Warrants for March 2025
2025-04-110 Resolution to Accept Donations
Name Amount Donated Recipient
West Geauga Kiwanis $500.00 High School Principal Support (Awards Breakfast)
Anonymous $2,200.00 STEM (Science, Fair Projects
Technology, Engineering Math)
RMS Power, INC $4,000.00 RMS STEAM Scholarships
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)
2025-04-111 Resolution to Approve Transfer of Funds
FROM Fund/SCC TO FUND/SCC Amount
001 - General Fund 070 - Capital Fund $1,000,000
Dr. Beers asked about this transfer, and Mrs. Pavlat explained it was the second of three scheduled transfers to use for designated capital projects.
18.40 min. Personnel Resolutions - All passed
2025-04-112 Resolution to Accept Administrative Staff Resignation - This resolution accepts the resignation of Melissa Becerra, Lindsey Elementary School Principal. Dr. Markwardt thanked her for her service and said she will be joining the Education Center of the Western Reserve where she will continue to provide services to the West Geauga Schools.
2025-04-113 Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year - Dr. Davis introduced Rossi Santo who will be joining the faculty as an Intervention Specialist. Mr. Santo is also the head football coach.
2025-04-114 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipend for Work Outside of the 2024-2025 Contractual Year
2025-04-115 Resolution to Accept Certified Staff Resignations
2025-04-116 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-04-117 Resolution to Approve Additional Transportation Route Assignment for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-04-118 Resolution to Approve Rehire of Classified Staff for the 2025-2026 School Year
2025-04-119 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Retirement
2025-04-120 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignations
2025-04-121 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
2025-04-122 Resolution to Approve 2025 Summer Programming Stipends
2025-04-123 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-04-124 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-04-125 Resolution to Accept the Non-Renewal of all 2024-2025 Long-Term Substitute Contracts
2025-04-126 Resolution to Accept the Non-Renewal of all 2024-2025 Supplemental and Service Contracts
2025-04-127 Resolution to Approve Chaperones for the Middle School 6th Grade Trip to Camp Fitch
31.40 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - Passed
2025-04-128 Resolution to Approve the First Reading of Revised Policy 2280 - These revisions cover policies for the Preschool Program.
32.00 min. Business Resolutions - All passed
2025-04-129 Resolution to Approve the Independent Contractor Agreement between Alanna Hruska and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2024-2025 School Year. Reviewer Note: This contract is for 20 hours as a Preschool Licensing Consultant.
2025-04-130 Resolution to Approve the Audiology Consortium Services Contract Between Summit Educational Service Center and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
2025-04-131 Resolution to Approve the All Ways Construction, LLC Proposal - Mrs. Claypool asked what all this resolution covered. Dr. Markwardt explained that a construction road was necessary to allow equipment and materials to reach the new water well project site and this was the successful contractor. Reviewer Note: This proposal was in the amount of $50,620.00.
2025-04-132 - 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
2025-04-133 Resolution to Approve the 2025-2026 Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve District Service Request Form
2025-04-134 Resolution to Approve the Proactive Behavior Services District Tuition Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and Proactive Behavior Services
2025-04-135 Resolution to Approve the Quote from CDW-Government LLC for the purchase of Chromebooks
38.25 min. Board Resolutions
2025-04-136 Resolution to Approve Cafe 306 to Charge Cost +35% for T-shirt Sales in the 2024-2025 School Year
2025-04-136A Resolution to Approve the Implementation of an EPC (Educators Preferred Corporation) Severance Incentive Program - The resolution states that funds are available to implement an EPC Severance Incentive Program between the board and the West Geauga Education Association per the Memo of Understanding passed at the February 10, 2025 board meeting.
40.00 min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - Mrs. Sherwin raised the issue of state-funded student vouchers. Dr. Markwardt responded that he would deal with the issue during his report (see below).
40.30 min. Reports
Superintendent Report
-
Ohio School Budget Update - Dr. Markwardt reported that there were 221 students from the district participating in private and/or parochial schools during the 2023-2024 school year and 189 during the 2024-2025 school year. For the current school year, 30 elected to move to private or parochial schools and 7 students returned to the WG district. Of the 30 who transferred this year, 7 went to sectarian schools and 23 went to parochial schools. He said that the data is unclear whether those students who transferred this year did so because of the voucher system. The data does not support that there is any migration from West Geauga to private schools. Mrs. Sherwin added that vouchers were originally intended to help students find alternate schooling if they were in a failing district. Dr. Markwardt spoke about a court case by Vouchers Hurt Ohio which argues that the state’s voucher program hurts Ohio’s public schools. Reviewer Note: See information about this lawsuit here and here. Mrs. Leavenworth added her concern about the growth of the voucher program and how money is being diverted from public schools. She said, “I mean there are a lot of districts in the state that don’t even have private schools. They don’t have schools that they can use vouchers for and their tax money is going to the state and then it’s getting sent to people who don’t even live in those counties.” Dr. Markwardt pointed out that private schools are not held to the same financial standards and controls that public districts are. Mrs. Leavenworth added, “With some of the laws that are being proposed now, we would have to have a levy every year or every other year because the legislature wants to say you can’t have more than a certain amount of carryover.” Reviewer Note: This provision is contained in the proposed Ohio Budget. More information available here.
-
Measles Outbreak Information - Dr. Markwardt discussed the implications of a measles outbreak for the district. The state health department definition of a measles “outbreak” is two cases. The nearest report cases are in Ashtabula County. He said, “In West G, there has been no outbreak, whatsoever. However, if there is, we are following the recommendation of the health department. It is recommended that we have students who have not been innoculated excluded from school for 21 days and that’s 21 days after the last case that we have is no longer contagious. We have 72 kids who have not been innoculated.” If two children from the district contract measles, all 72 children would have to stay home. Dr. Markwardt said he would be sending out a communication to parents to inform them about measles, how to deal with them and to inform them about the health department’s recommendations. He expects that there will be some irritation from parents whose children are not vaccinated and have to stay home because of this policy.
Board Report - none
101.30 min. Executive Session
2025-04-138 Resolution to Adjourn to Executive Session - The Executive Session was called to consider personnel appointment and/or employment and conference with legal counsel concerning current or possible litigation. In addition to the board, Mrs. Pavalat, Dr. Markwardt, Dr. Benincasa, and the board’s attorney, were invited to attend the Executive Session.
2:07 Min. Reconvene into Regular Session Reviewer Note: The sound was muted for the beginning of this portion. It is unknown if there was action, but it appeared from the video that there was no action; however, the Board then set a date for a Special Meeting to be held on April 30, 2025 at 5 pm.
2025-04-138 Resolution to Adjourn - approved
2.09.00 min. Adjournment
Next Meeting: The Special meeting will be held on April 30, 2025 at 5 pm. The next regular meeting will be on Monday, May 19, 2025 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 4/29/2025
The League of Women Voters 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.