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West Geauga School Board Approves School Resource Officer

West Geauga Board of Education Special Meeting – August 5, 2025

Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on August 5, 2025 at 2:45 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. As of the date of publication of this report, this video has been viewed 48 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section. 

Board Attendance: Mrs. Christina Sherwood, President; Dr. William Beers, Vice President; Mrs. Kathy Leavenworth, Member; and Mrs. Pam Claypool, Member, were present. Mrs. Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh, Member, was absent.

Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Assistant Superintendent; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology, and Dr. Amy Davis, Director of Pupil Personnel, were present.

Other Attendees:  There were no other visible attendees.  Observer’s Note:  This observer streamed the meeting and utilized an online version of the agenda in preparation of this report.  

Opening of Special Meeting - The Special Meeting was called to order at 2:45 pm by Mrs. Sherwood. The roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda – There were none.

0.50 min. Board Resolution - Approved

• 2025-08-309 Resolution to Approve the School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding between the Chester Township Police Department and the West Geauga Local School District Board of Education. This Memorandum of Understanding establishes the terms of the School Resource Officer (SRO) and classifications and duties therein as School Patrol Officer (SPO) and School Safety Officer (SSO).

1.20 min. Personnel Resolutions - All Approved

• 2025-08-310 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignation

• 2025-08-311 Resolution to Rescind Supplemental Contract

Reviewer Note: See the agenda for the names of the staff  who resigned and the contract rescission.

2.50 min. Adjournment - Approved

• Announcement of Next Board Meeting – It was announced that there would be a Regular Meeting on August 11, 2025 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.

• 2025-06-312 Resolution to Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 2:48 pm.

Observer: Bob Doxey

Editor: Rooney Moy

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Date Submitted: 8/28/25

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