Board Honors Fall Sports Athletes and Reviews Levy Failure
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – November 10, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on November 10, 2025 at 6:00 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 111 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. Pam Claypool, Member; Mrs. Kathy Leavenworth, Member, and Mrs. Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh, Member, were present.
Staff Attendance: Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Superintendent; Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Dr. Amy Davis, Assistant Superintendent; Meagan Bellan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Jennifer Norman, Director of Pupil Personnel; and Brandon Stewart, Athletic Director
Other Attendees: There were an additional number of attendees at the meeting including student athletes, their family members, team coaches and this observer.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mrs. Sherwood. The roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1.30 min. Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - There was one change put forward by Dr. Benincasa regarding Resolution 2025-11-427. She indicated that several additions had been made for clarity purposes. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to reflect this change.
2.50 min. Program Reports and Presentations -
Dr. Beers commended all of the athletes and said that winning is great, but in moments of struggle, this group is a class act.
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Girls’ High School Flag Football Presentation by Mr. Brandon Stewart, Athletic Director - Mr. Stewart made a preliminary proposal for establishing a Girls’ Flag Football team as a club sport. Approximately 25 girls have expressed interest in the sport, and several volunteer coaches have indicated their support. All expenses associated with the club, including equipment and uniforms, would be borne by NFL Flag, an affiliate of the National Football League, and the Cleveland Browns. A final request for board approval will be made in the near future.
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Preschool Presentation by Ms. Jennifer Norman, Director of Pupil Personnel - Mrs. Norman said that the Preschool program, Little Wolverines, is fully operational and conducting two half-day programs at Westwood Elementary. Plans are underway to move the students with more intensive needs from Metzenbaum to Westwood. Current staffing is one teacher and two paraprofessionals. Reviewer Note: The Little Wolverines Preschool program serves 3 and 4 year old students with special needs as well as peer models. More information about the program is available here.
Public Remarks - There were none.
27,10 min. Routine Items - Consent - Approved
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2025-11-408 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve October 2025 Financial Statements
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Minutes - October 13, 2025 meeting
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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
27.40 min. Financial Resolutions - All Passed
Name Amount Donated Recipient
Cilantro Taqueria $200.00 Class of 2028
Cilantro Taqueria $300.00 Class of 2028
Chesterland Dairy Queen $118.33 MS Chorus
Rockwell Automation $134.92 HS Robotics
28.55 min. Personnel Resolutions - All Passed
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2025-11-412 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year - Mrs. Claypool asked if the Transportation Department was fully staffed. Mr. Amstutz replied that it was still slightly understaffed and they are actively recruiting to fill positions.
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2025-11-413 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-11-414 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignations
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2025-11-415 Resolution to Approve Revised Classified Contract for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-11-416 Resolution to Rescind Additional Transportation Route Assignment for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-11-417 Resolution to Approve Additional Transportation Route Assignment for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-11-418 Resolution to Terminate the Probationary Employment of a Classified Employee
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2025-11-419 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
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2025-11-420 Resolution to Approve Parental Leave of Absence
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2025-11-421 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-11-422 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-11-423 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
36.00 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - All Passed
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2025-11-424 Resolution to Approve the West Geauga Coaches Handbook - Dr. Beers thanked Mr. Stewart and Dr. Davis for their efforts in creating this handbook.
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2025-11-425 Resolution to Approve the Second and Final Reading of New Policy 1422.01, Revised Policy(s) 0131.1, 1613, 2271, 2340, 2460, 3213, 4213, 5113, 5120, 5131, 5330, 5350, 5460, 5610, 5751, 6151, 7440.01, 8142, 8452, and Rescinded Policy 0171
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2025-11-426 Resolution to Approve the First Reading of Revised Policy(s) 2210, 2220, 2510, 2520, 5136 and Rescinded Policy(s) 2140, 2530, 2540, 9143 - Dr. Benincasa said that these new policies and revisions will bring them into agreement with new legislative requirements. Mrs. Claypool asked if there were any remaining policies that needed review. Dr. Benincasa indicated that she believes any remaining policies requiring modification have been identified and are being examined for compliance.
44.00 min. Business Resolutions - All Passed
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2025-11-427 Resolution to Approve Proposal from Medical Mutual of Ohio for Medical Insurance Rates as of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 - Mrs. Pavlat said that the Medical Mutual renewal proposal only increased 4% and because of this low rate, it was not put out for bid. It was noted that overall insurance costs have been reduced despite Medical Mutual's small 4% increase due to a discount the district received by bundling dental and life insurance with MetLife (see the next two bullet points).
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2025-11-428 Resolution to Approve Proposal from MetLife for Dental Insurance Rates as of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028
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2025-11-429 Resolution to Approve Proposal from MetLife Insurance Company for Basic Life/AD&D Insurance Rate as of January 1, 2026 for $4.05 Per Member/Per Month for $25,000 Life Insurance Coverage through December 31, 2028
47.30 min. Board Resolutions - Passed
52.45 min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - There were none
Mrs. Coleman Walsh took a moment to explain that she is finishing her tenure as a board member due to medical reasons. Observer Note: Technically Mrs. Coleman Walsh has one more meeting before her term expires, but her medical condition might preclude her from attending. She thanked the families and the community for trusting her with this responsibility, the teachers who work tirelessly for the benefit of their students, administrators for their efforts, and fellow board members who mentored her. She expressed confidence that the new board members will continue to serve the school and community.
56.45 min. Reports
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Superintendent Report - Dr. Benincasa highlighted several upcoming events:
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Fall Athletics - Family Fun Night, November 20th, 6:00-8:00pm
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Partnership with Chester Police Dept. for Christmas Toy Collection using the Middle School Cafeteria on December 13th. Mrs. Sherwood spoke in support of the event as a way to increase the involvement of WG students with the community.
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Bands and Choirs Winter Concerts:
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Board Reports - The board used this time to review the recent levy, which was not approved by voters in the November 2025 election.
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Dr. Benincasa told the board that there will not be an immediate need for budget cuts. There is time to carefully examine options available for dealing with reduced operating revenue, including a ballot levy in May 2026.
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Mrs. Leavenworth pointed out that the failed levy was the last opportunity for the district to use the state rollback program. This program reimburses school districts for revenue lost by property tax rollback programs and ends under the new legislative school funding bill.
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Mrs. Sherwood indicated that current operating costs for the district are $3 million per month.
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Mrs. Claypool stated that although the district has $25 million in funds, $5 million of that is earmarked for the new well and water treatment facility. She stated: “Any organization, whether it’s a business or a school or whatever, has to have some cash reserve….”
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Dr. Benincasa thanked the board for its support of the levy. She added that most people don’t understand that board members do more than attend one meeting a month; they also spend endless hours studying, reading and preparing.
1.14.50 min. Adjournment - Approved
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Announcement of Next Board Meeting – There will be a Regular Meeting on December 15, 2025 (note revised date) beginning at 6:00 pm (note revised time) in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
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2025-10-407 Resolution to Adjourn
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 12/1/2025
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