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Early Childhood Center Completed and Is Awaiting Final Preschool Inspection 

Berkshire Board of Education – Regular Meeting, August 11, 2025 

Meeting Details:  The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021 at 6 pm.  A video of the meeting is posted here. View the agenda online and any attached documents here by selecting the meeting tab and then the meeting date.  The notation of minutes refers to the time posted on the video for the discussion of the item listed.

Board Members Attendance: John Manfredi, President, Jody Miller, Vice President and members Dan Berman, Linda Stone and Bryan Wadsworth were present. 

Staff Attendance: Superintendent John Stoddard was present. Treasurer Beth McCaffrey was absent. Al Vontorcik, Director of Operations and Technology, Julia Lombardo, new third grade teacher

 

Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mr. Manfredi who led the Pledge of Allegiance and conducted the roll call.

 

The Board voted without discussion to name Jody Miller as Treasurer pro tem in Beth McCaffrey’s

absence. Mrs. Miller then conducted the roll call with her abstaining.

Approval of Agenda – unanimously approved without discussion

 

Approval of Minutes – Minutes for the July 14, 2025, meeting were unanimously approved without discussion.

 

2:25 Min Student/Staff Presentation - Summer Technology Interns

Dr. Stoddard introduced Al Vontorcik, Director of Operations and Technology, who spoke about their summer technology internship program, now in its fourth year. He said three students participate (one sophomore, one junior and one senior), with the older students mentoring the newer ones. He stated the program saves his department time and gives the students valuable work experience. He said the grants director was able to enroll the school in the State’s Workforce Transformation Program Youth Opportunities Unlimited which provides some funding for the internships. Students are expected to work a total of 120 hours over the course of the program.

Mr. Vontorcik listed the types of work the internships performed, including Chromebook and laptop updates and video equipment set up. He said they learn how to troubleshoot technology problems and become familiar with cybersecurity. 

An intern answered Board questions about her experience and future plans.  

Dr. Stoddard noted the interns are a “great help” to the school, especially their work on Chromebook updates and laptop upgrades. 

 

10:05 Min Public Participation – No speaker requests.

 

10:38 Min Treasurer’s Report

 

Financial Statements – unanimously approved without discussion. 

Mrs. Miller stated that the Treasurer has submitted a statement to the Board and the Superintendent showing the revenues and receipts from whatever sources derived, the various Appropriations made by the board, the expenditures and disbursements and the balances remaining in each fund.  The financial statements for the period ending July 2025 have been submitted subject to audit and include Financial Summary, Appropriations and Revenue Summary, Check Register Recap, and Bank Reconciliation per ORC 3313.29. Observer Note: See Financial Statement details in the meeting agenda available online.

 

Financial Amendments – The Board unanimously approved without discussion the following financial amendments:

 

Advances/Transfers

Appropriation Changes

Then & Now Invoices

11:50 Min Superintendent’s Report

 

Personnel – The Board unanimously approved the personnel actions for Administrative, Certified and Classified staff as listed on the meeting Agenda. Observer Note: A complete list of personnel actions is available in the meeting agenda online.

Before the vote, Dr. Stoddard introduced new third grade teacher Julia Lombardo.

 

Volunteers – The Board unanimously approved the following volunteers:

 

Contracts – The Board unanimously approved without discussion contracts for: 

• Maximum Potential (Leadership Curricula)

• Addendum; ESC (Educational Service Center) of the Western Reserve

• Southeast Security - Building D - Fire System, Strategic Community Improvement Grant

• Geauga County Sheriff's Office - SRO (School Resource Officer)

• Contract for Educational Student Services - Kenston Local School District

• Contract for Educational Services - West Geauga School District

• Summit County ESC - Resident Educator Mentoring Administration

• ESC of Northeast Ohio - Passport School Program

• Agreement for National Webcheck® Program Services and Equipment

• School Affiliation Agreement with Preston Superstore; Work-Based Learning Program

Observer Note: Details of all contracts are available in the meeting agenda online. 

NEOLA Policy – The Board unanimously approved the first and final reading of Policy 5136 - Personal Communication Devices. Dr. Stoddard stated that the policy allows student possession but not use of personal communication devices. He said that the administration is leaving implementation up to each building. Observer Note: The personal communication device policy is available in the meeting agenda online. 

Handbooks – The Board unanimously approved without discussion the following handbooks:

• Student Handbook - Grades K-12 (Revision)

• Early Childhood Center Parent Handbook

• BadgerCare (Latchkey) Parent Handbook

Observer Note: Copies of the handbooks are available on the meeting agenda online. 

15:55 Min Old Business

Dr. Stoddard reported on the Early Childhood Center, showing the Board slides of the completed building which is “ready to go.” He said they have occupancy approval, the food service permit, passed the fire inspection and are now waiting for the final preschool inspection to “make things official.” He pointed out the large size of the classrooms and noted that the back parking lot is newly paved for additional parking and outdoor school activities.

Dr. Stoddard also provided an update on the Workforce Development Campus (WDC). Highlights included slides of the construction and renovations and:

• The new structure that Preston Superstore is building for Berkshire, which will house two garage bays, classrooms, an office and a meeting room. Completion is expected by the end of September.

• Separate Building “B” is ready and will be used for diesel classes until the new building is ready. 

• After the diesel program moves to the new building, the Ohio Cat heavy equipment curriculum will be taught in Building “B.” Berkshire was recently recognized as an Ohio Cat Tier 1 School, a partnership with Ohio Cat, a division of Ohio Machinery. 

• Ohio Machinery is working with the State of Ohio on Berkshire’s behalf to develop an approved generator certification program, which will be the first such high school program in the State. Observer Note: More information on the Ohio Cat curriculum is available in a Geauga Maple Leaf article here.

• The school has vacated the Fairground Buildings they had been using as of July 31. 

20:40 Min New Business - None

20:51 Min Board Discussion

Next Regular Meeting Dates - September 8, 2025 and October 13, 2025 in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools Complex, 14155 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021 at 6 pm.

No Executive Session

21:40 Min Meeting Adjourned

Observer: Rooney Moy

Editor: Gail Roussey

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Date Submitted: 08/18/2025 

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