Board Says Goodbye to Two Members and Revisits the Levy Failure
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – December 15, 2025
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on December 15, 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 122 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; and Mrs. Megan Watson, Westwood Elementary Principal.
Other Attendees: There were 50-60 additional attendees at the meeting, including Westwood Elementary students, their family members, and teachers; other unidentified members of the community and this observer.
Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mrs. Sherwood. The roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, led by Westwood Elementary students.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - Mrs. Pavlat indicated that additional donations have been received and have been added to Resolution 2025-12-434. A motion was made and passed to add this change to the agenda.
4.00 min. Program Reports and Presentations - Westwood Update by Mrs. Megan Watson, Westwood Elementary Principal. Dr. Benincasa announced that this presentation would be the first of several made to the Board by individual schools in the district in the months to come. Mrs. Watson had students representing grades K - 2 come up and tell the Board their favorite aspects of Westwood Elementary, including their favorite books and activities, such as “Popcorn Thursday,” “Creature Features,” and parties.
17.40 min. Public Remarks - Michael Kilroy, a resident, compared the recent levy failure to a report card for the board from the community. Reviewer Note: In November 2025, West Geauga’s 4.82 mill substitute levy was rejected by voters. The substitute levy would have replaced the district’s two current emergency levies. The emergency levies are still in place, but they cannot be renewed because emergency levies are no longer allowed under Ohio law. He said that it shows that the board needs to do a better job of communicating with the community about the financial and funding issues facing the district.
19.45 min. Routine Items - Consent - Passed
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2025-12-432 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve November 2025 Financial Statements
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Minutes - November 10, 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
20.00 min. Financial Resolutions - All Passed
Name Amount Donated Recipient
Kiwanis Club of West Geauga $1,500.00 Key Club
RMS Empower, Inc. $15,000 HSSTEM
West Geauga Educational Foundation $15,000 District
West Geauga Educational Foundation $1,500 Westwood
West Geauga Educational Foundation $1,500 Lindsey
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2025-12-435 Resolution to Approve Advance of Funds
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2025-12-436 Resolution to Accept Increase (Decrease) in FY 2026 Appropriations - refer to the Agenda link given in the Meeting Details, above, for a full description of the funds movement involved.
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2025-12-437 Resolution to Approve Student Activity Statement of Purpose and Budget for the 2025-2026 School Year - The resolution establishes initial funding for a High School Speech and Debate Club. Dr. Benincasa indicated there would be an organizational meeting later in the school year regarding this club. She stated that there have been attempts to form this club in the past and that it requires a rigorous commitment from its members. Mrs. Claypool asked if there were any speech courses offered to students. Dr. Benincasa replied that Speech is an elective course at the High School.
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2025-12-438 Resolution to Approve Then and Now Certificate
25.35 min. Personnel Resolutions - All Passed
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2025-12-439 Resolution to Approve Appointment of Confidential Administrative Assistant - Dr. Benincasa indicated that there is an imminent retirement at the Central Office. This resolution would fill that vacancy with Kristin Montague, currently the lead secretary at Westwood Elementary. She will cover two office positions on a temporary basis until the summer when there will be a reassessment of Central Office staffing needs. After the reassessment, her responsibility will be for the position described in the resolution.
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2025-12-440 Resolution to Approve Certified Long-Term Substitute Assignment.
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2025-12-441 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipends for Work Outside of the 2025-2026 Contractual Year - Dr. Beers asked what “STUP” was. Dr. Benincasa replied that it stands for Step Up To Quality and is used to provide enhanced training for Westwood staff.
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2025-12-442 Resolution to Accept Certified Staff Retirement - Dr. Benincasa said that Bernadette Stefancin was one of the first persons she met from the Newbury school system when talks began about consolidation of the two districts. She said that Ms. Stefancin was always positive in her outlook and helped guide the process. Dr. Beers asked about her retirement as of 3/1/2026 and if that would require a long-term substitute. Dr. Benincasa indicated that there would be a report to the board in the near future to resolve this issue.
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2025-12-443 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Retirements - Dr. Benincasa called Diane Martin a legend in the district and a person “...who takes care of people.” Mrs. Sherwood attested to her caring capabilities.
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2025-12-444 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignations
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2025-12-445 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-12-446 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-12-447 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-12-448 Resolution to Rescind Service Contract for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-12-449 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-12-450 Resolution to Approve Student Teaching Placement for the 2025-2026 School Year
39.50 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - All Passed
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2025-12-451 Resolution to Approve 2026-2027 Open Enrollment Guidelines and Caps - Mrs. Sherwood asked Dr. Benincasa to recap the history of Open Enrollment at West Geauga so that the board has a better feel for the history involved. Dr. Benincasa stated that in 2013 when the state began Open Enrollment, West Geauga had approximately 256 Open Enrollment students. As the state policies regarding eligibility changed, the board began to modify its policies and began establishing enrollment caps for Open Enrollment with the intent of phasing out the program entirely. Throughout this change, the board policy toward Open Enrollment existing students was that they would be guaranteed the ability to continue through their graduation as an Open Enrollment student. Currently there are 26 students in the Open Enrollment program with a forecast of 19 students for next year. Mrs. Pavlat added that funding reimbursement changed dramatically during the Open Enrollment era, with funding being greatly reduced over time. Dr. Beers pointed out that historically employee contracts have permitted employees’ children to be open enrolled at West Geauga if they choose, so that “zero open enrollment” will not be possible as long as this option is offered contractually.
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2025-12-452 Resolution to Approve the Second and Final Reading of Revised Policy(s) 2210, 2220, 2510, 2520, 5136 and Rescinded Policy(s) 2140, 2530, 2540, 9143 - Mrs. Claypool verified that these changes were needed to make these policies current and in concurrence with existing legislative requirements.
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2025-12-453 Resolution to Approve the West Geauga Handbook for Administrators and Supervisors - Dr. Beers and Mrs. Clayool noted that some effective dates needed to be modified. Dr. Benincasa indicated they would be corrected.
48.25 min. Business Resolutions - All Passed
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2025-12-454 Resolution to Approve McGown & Markling Co., L.P.A. as Legal Counsel - Mrs. Pavlat explained that the district is involved with an ongoing insurance claim and that the approved firm is handling the claim for the district. The insurance company will cover any fees for this attorney.
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2025-12-455 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement between Safehouse Preparatory and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-12-456 Resolution to Approve Service Agreement Addendum Between ABA Outreach Services and West Geauga School District
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2025-12-457 Resolution to Approve the Agreement for Educational Consultant Services between North Central Ohio Educational Service Center and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year - Dr. Beers asked for some clarification about consultants used by the district. Dr. Benincasa said this consultant was working on an individualized student instruction computer application with Mrs. Bellan that would provide measurable data on individual student achievement to enhance instructional methods and target specific student educational needs. Mrs. Leavenworth added that this project is in conjunction with a funding grant that the district has.
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2025-12-458 Resolution to Authorize Purchase of School Bus Chassis and Bodies From Bids Received Through Ohio Schools Council
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2025-12-459 Resolution to Approve the Purchase of a Nine (9) Passenger Transportation Van in the 2025-2026 School Year
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2025-12-460 Resolution to Approve the Purchase of two (2) Passenger Transportation Vans in the 2025-2026 School Year
1:02.00 min. Board Resolutions - Passed
1:03.20 min. Appointment of President “Pro Tempore” for the Organizational Meeting
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2025-12-462 Resolution to Appoint President 'Pro-Tempore' for the Organizational Meeting - The action recommended is: BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the West Geauga Local School District hereby appoints William Beers as President Pro Tempore for the Organizational Meeting of January 12, 2026. The motion passed, with Dr. Beers recusing himself from the vote.
1:04.10 min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be Included on Future Agenda - Mrs. Sherwood used this section of the meeting to express her thanks for the opportunity to serve with the board for the past four years. She said that it was satisfying to return to West Geauga as a board member as a past graduate of the school district. Mrs. Leavenworth and other members of the board added their appreciation of her efforts as a board member.
1:06.35 min. Reports
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Superintendent Report - Dr. Benincasa reported on:
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The Chester Police Department Toy Drive was held at the Middle School. She said that it was a great event for the students who participated to interact with the community. The Chester Police Chief commented that it was their most successful event to date.
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All grade levels participated in some form of community involvement during the last month. Dr. Benincasa said it was gratifying and rewarding to see this participation during the holiday season.
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Dr. Benincasa presented a gift to each departing board member. When thanking them for their service, she highlighted the strengths each brought to the position.
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Board Reports - Dr. Beers raised the issue of the levy failure and the implications it has for the board. The common theme of the discussion by all of the board members was the communication break with the community over the issues of district finance and funding. All felt that communications needed to be re-established and rebuilt. Several suggestions were made that the board might use in moving forward, including consulting communication professionals.Dr. Benincasa told the board that she was in contact with other districts to see what methods they were using for building relationships with the communities they serve and will report back to the board with any information she gathers.
1:27.10 min. Adjournment -
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Announcement of Next Board Meeting – There will be a Tax Budget Hearing/Organizational Board Meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026 starting at 5:45 pm immediately followed by the Organizational Meeting and a Regular Board Meeting at 6:00 pm (est.) in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
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2025-12-463 Resolution to Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 pm.
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: January 6, 2026
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