Several District Personnel Receive Honors
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – August 11, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on August 11, 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. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 103 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section.
Board Attendance: Dr. William Beers, Vice President; Mrs. Pam Claypool, Member; Mrs. Kathy Leavenworth, Member, and Mrs. Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh, Member, were present. Mrs. Christina Sherwood, President, was absent
Staff Attendance: Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Superintendent; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Dr. Amy Davis, Assistant Superintendent; Meagan Bellan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Jennifer Molnar, Middle School math teacher, were present.
Other Attendees: Dr. Richard Markwardt, former superintendent (retired); Ms. Jennifer Felker, Superintendent for the Educational Service Center for the Western Reserve; Mrs. Kathe Davis, parent; and a large number of friends and family of the honorees were present. Observer’s Note: This observer streamed the meeting and utilized an online version of the agenda in preparation of this report.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Dr. Beers. 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. Program Reports and Presentations -
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Jennifer Molnar, Recipient of the 2025 George B. Chapman, Jr. Math Teacher of the Year Award, Presented by Meagan Bellan - Mrs. Bellan presented the Martha Holding Jennings Foundation George B. Chapman award to Mrs. Jennifer Molnar, a Middle School math teacher. The award was established to recognize annually a single Ohio mathematics teacher whose work exemplifies classroom excellence and leadership in the field. The award includes a $7,500 grant for the project of her choice in the classroom or her field. She was described as “relentless in her pursuit of her students’ success.”
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Meagan Bellan, Recipient of the 2025 Geauga/Portage County Principal of the Year, Presented by Jennifer Felker, Superintendent for the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve - Annually, the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve honors the Principal of the Year for Geauga/Portage counties. This year the award was given to Meagan Bellan for her service as the principal of the Middle School. She was cited for her leadership and innovation and the Middle School growth in academic performance and innovation. Last year, the Middle School was ranked 7th in Ohio.
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Dr. Richard Markwardt, Recipient of the 2025 Geauga/Portage County School Leader of the Year, Presented by Ms. Felker - Ms. Felker also presented the 2025 Geauga/Portage County School Leader of the Year Award to Dr. Richard Markwardt, the recently retired Superintendent of the West Geauga School District. The award honors the administrator who demonstrates a lasting impact across educational communities. Ms Felker cited his role in incorporating the Newbury Schools into the district during the pandemic. “That was definitely monumental in what districts across Ohio would look at as true leadership and engaging those students into a district and take on a new culture.” She said he is committed to excellence, focused on what is best for students, and positioned West Geauga as a district on the rise. Dr. Markwardt said he was honored to receive the award. He stated that many in the district have contributed to its success, including the Board of Education, the community and administrators who worked to realize a vision for the district.
17.55 min. Public Remarks - Dr. Davis thanked the board and district personnel for their efforts in reducing bus in-transit times to an hour or less.
Reviewer Note: More information about the Routine Items and Resolutions in the next several sections below are available in the Agenda.
18.45 min. Routine Items - Consent - Approved
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2025-08-313 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Minutes - Approved minutes from the 7/7, 7/16, 7/22, 7/31 and 8/5/2025 board meetings
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Amendments to Board Minutes - Includes Summary of Amended Check Register to Minutes; Amended Detailed Check Register, June, 2022-Redacted; and Amended Detailed Check Register, August, 2022-Redacted.
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Certified Substitute List for the 2025-2026 School Year
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Classified Substitute List for the 2025-2026 School Year
19.00 min. Financial Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-08-314 Resolution to Approve Warrants for July 2025
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2025-08-315 Resolution to Accept Donation - Donation from Rockwell Automation in the amount of $270.86 to the Robotics Club
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2025-08-316 Resolution to Approve Blanket Purchase Orders for the 2025-2026 School Year
20.00 min. Personnel Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-08-317 Resolution to Approve Administrative Contract Revision for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-318 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipends for Work Outside of the 2024-2025 Contractual Year
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2025-08-319 Resolution to Approve Additional Per Diem for Certified Staff
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2025-08-320 Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-321 Resolution to Approve Change in Certified Contract - Certified Salary Movement for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-322 Resolution to Approve Certified Long-Term Substitute Assignment
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2025-08-323 Resolution to Approve Summer Routes for Extended School Year Services
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2025-08-324 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-325 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-326 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-326 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-327 Resolution to Approve Student Internship/Student Teaching Placement for the 2025-2026 School Year
23.20 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-08-328 Resolution to Approve the Little Wolverine Preschool Parent Handbook
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2025-08-329 Resolution to Approve the Westwood and Lindsey Elementary School Parent/Student Handbook for the 2025-2026 School Year - Dr. Benincasa explained that these had previously been approved by the board, but they contained a typographical error in the starting times that needed to be corrected prior to the start of school year and be made available on-line.
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2025-08-330 Resolution to Declare Emergency Circumstances and Update Board Policy(s) on the First and Final Reading - In response to Mrs. Claypool’s question as to what the emergency reasons were, Dr. Benincasa explained that the emergency circumstances were needed to have approval prior to the start of the school year.
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2025-08-331 Resolution to Approve the First and Final Reading of Board Policy 5780.01 and 7421
28.150 min. Business Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-08-332 Resolution to Approve the Sales Order and Agreement between Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) and West Geauga Local Schools
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2025-08-333 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement by and between West Geauga Local Schools and PSI Affiliates, Inc./PSI Associates, Inc.
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2025-08-334 Resolution to Approve the Agreement for Provision of Special Education and Certain Related Services by and between Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau (Monarch School) and West Geauga Local Schools
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2025-08-335 Resolution to Approve the Proactive Behavior Services District Tuition Agreement(s) between West Geauga Local Schools and Proactive Behavior Services, LLC
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2025-08-336 Resolution to Approve the On-Demand Contract for AAC Consultant Services by and between Inspire Connections Therapy LLC and West Geauga Local Schools
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2025-08-337 Resolution to Approve the Quote from XTek Partners
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2025-08-338 Resolution Declaring Transportation Impractical for the 2024-2025 School Year
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2025-08-339 Resolution to Approve the Agreement for Admission of Tuition between the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio (Passport School Program) and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-340 Resolution to Approve the Agreement for Admission of Tuition between the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio (Capstone Academy) and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-341 Resolution to Approve the Pupil Transportation Agreement between Palmer Express, Inc. and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-342 Resolution to Approve the Pupil Transportation Agreement between Suburban School Transportation Company, Inc. and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-08-343 Resolution to Approve the Engagement Letter with Ciuni & Panichi for the 2025-2026 School Year - Dr. Beers asked if this was for an outside audit. Mrs. Pavlat responded by saying that the firm would review the district’s accounting practices in preparation for an upcoming state audit.
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2025-08-344 Resolution to Approve the Board of Education Lawn and Bed Installation by Lowe's Landscaping, LLC. - Dr. Benncasa explained that this is for additional work beyond the original proposal submitted by the vendor.
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2025-08-345 Resolution to Approve Bid and Authorize the Superintendent and Treasurer to Enter into a contract with Jamison Well Drilling Inc. - Dr. Benincasa stated that the well project is finally beginning.
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2025-08-346 Resolution to Approve the Bus, Van, and Contracted Routes for the 2025-2026 School Year
36.0 min. Board Resolutions - All Approved
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2025-08-347 Resolution to Approve the Fourth Modification to the Employment Contract of the Treasurer of the West Geauga Local School District
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2025-08-348 Resolution Declaring Certain Inventory Items Obsolete and Authorizing Its Recycling and/or Disposal
37.17 min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - Dr. Beers reported that at their last meeting, the Finance Committee felt it would be appropriate for the committee to meet with the board to plan for the future. He suggested sometime later this year in November or December when new board members would be available as an appropriate time. Mrs. Pavlat stated that it would need to be prior to December 12th. The board, committee, and Dr. Benincasa will coordinate schedules to establish a date. Reviewer Note: There are three individuals, including incumbent Christina Sherwood, running to fill two open spots in the November 4 General Election. See LWVGeauga website here for more information.
41.15 min. Reports
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Superintendent Report
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The inaugural Wolverine Kick-Off Classic will be Wednesday, August 13th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. It is designed to be a family-friendly event and will feature the band and fall sports teams. There will be an opening parade, games, and a food truck.
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The Staff Convocation will be August 14th.
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Teacher assignments and bus routes were released today (August 11th). Dr. Benincasa thanked all those who contributed to a successful start to the new school year. She noted that there are multiple ways for parents to report issues with the transportation system to the administration.
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She is gratified to see the recognition that the teachers and administrators received tonight. She said it is an indication of the effort everyone is making for the district’s success.
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Board Reports - Dr. Beers cited the number of press reports on the upcoming November levy. He reported on Finance Committee discussions on how legislation has changed the school levy process. He stated that, if the new substitute levy passes in November, there will be a seamless transfer of funds to the district and there will be no tax increases. In addition, the 10-12% “roll-back” will remain in effect. Reviewer Note: More information about rollbacks, also called qualified levies, is available in the July 9, 2025 Geauga County Township Association Observer Report. Dr. Beers said the district has been very responsible in its use of levy funds, and there have been no requests for additional monies since 2005. Mrs. Pavlat added that the board has planned for this substitute levy change for the May 2026 election. It was moved to the November 2025 ballot because of legislative action.
52.20 min. Adjournment - Approved
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Announcement of Next Board Meeting – There will be a Regular Meeting on September 15, 2025 beginning at 7:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
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2025-06-349 Resolution to Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 pm.
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: August 28, 2025
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