Board Selects Design/Build Company
for Water Treatment Plant/Maintenance Building Capital Project
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – February 17, 2026
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on February 17, 2026 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 131 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section.
Board Attendance: Mrs. Pam Claypool, President; Dr. William Beers, Vice President; Mrs. Kathy Leavenworth, Member; Mrs. Ellen Naylor, Member; and Mr. Mark Vidmar, Member were present.
Staff Attendance: Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Superintendent; Dr. Amy Davis, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Megan Bellan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Brandon Stewart, Athletic Director; Mr. Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; and Mrs. Erica Kosiorek, Middle School Principal were present.
Other Attendees: There were 55-60 additional attendees at the meeting, including Middle School students, their family members, and teachers; other unidentified members of the community and this Observer.
Opening of the Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mrs. Claypool. The roll
call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - none
1.45 min. Program Reports and Presentations
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West Geauga Middle School Update by Mrs. Erica Kosiorek, Middle School Principal - Dr. Benincasa introduced Mrs. Kosiorek who gave the following report to the Board on Middle School activities.
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Department of Arts - There was a video presentation of student art exhibits, performances by the 17-member 8th Grade Choir, and the 14-member 8th Grade Acapella Choir.
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Winter Sports - the 8th grade girls basketball team finished the season on a strong note finished in 2nd place in the conference tournament, the boys wrestling team were conference champions and had success in the post season tournament
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Academics - There was a presentation by students of hands-on learning in the classroom, the team approach to problem solving and an exhibition of completed science posters by 5 students.
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Five Year Forecast Presentation by Ms. Karen Pavlat, Treasurer/CFO - Mrs. Pavlat used a series of slides to illustrate financial information and implications for the Board. She said that Ohio has changed the dates for submission of school budgets. One will be submitted in February using estimated revenue and expenses because final numbers will not be available from the state until April to be used in a May budget submission. The slides were:
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General Fund Estimated Revenues for FY26 - $39,766,644
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General Fund Local Revenue vs State - 2023 - 2030
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$1M and $2.35M levy suspensions in TY23 and TY24 (½ per FY), fully reinstated in FY25 and FY26, respectively
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Property tax revenue estimated $3.6M lower in FY27 due to tax reform bills
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Decline in revenue FY28, FY29, and FY30 due to $3.7M levy expiration
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State of Ohio Funding History
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1999 47%
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2025 38%
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2027 32%
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General Fund Expenses FY26 - Estimated Distributions of Cost - $36,755,000
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Wages/Benefits 73%
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Purchased Services 20%
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All Other Expenses 7%
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General Fund Revenue, Expenditures & Cash Balances
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2025 Cash balances decline due to transfer to capital project fund
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Cash balance negative in FY30 without levy renewal due to tax reform bills
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Deficit spending begins in FY27 due to tax reform bills and continues throughout the forecast
District Financial Story Overview: Legislative action affecting school funding currently very volatile; more than she has seen in the last 20 years. Schools need stable funding sources in order to plan 2 - 3 years out. Some current legislation is in conflict with other legislation. The May forecast will be key for Board financial planning purposes. Observer Note: In December, Governor DeWine signed several property tax reform bills (HB186, HB129, HB335, HB309) that are predicted to impact school funding.
51.40 min. Public Remarks
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Mr. Kilroy - He congratulated new Board members and commented that the school district is really a business with an annual budget of $39M a year. He stated that the Board has an opportunity to be open-minded and ask questions.
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Mrs. Davis - She cited an incident at the Middle School involving a student and an ambulance and felt that it would be appropriate to notify all parents about such matters. She also advocated for board attendance at the upcoming Middle School musical performance.
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Eileen Fiscal - She wanted the Board to know about the school receptionist who is such a joy to listen to when you call the school.
1:01.00 min. Routine Items - Consent - All Passed
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2026-02-045 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve January 2026 Financial Statements
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Minutes - January 12, 2026 Regular Meeting and January 27, 2026 Special 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
1:01.35 min. Financial Resolutions
Name Amount Donated Recipient
Pam Claypool $2,500.00 Robotics
Patterson Fruit Farm $1,000.00 Class of 2027
1:03.47 min. Personnel Resolutions
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2026-02-050 Resolution to Approve Certified Long-Term Substitute Assignment
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2026-02-051 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2025-2026 School Year - Mr. Vidmar recused himself from voting because a family member was involved in the motion.
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2026-02-052 Resolution to Approve Change in Classified Staff Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2026-02-053 Resolution to Approve Revised Classified Contract for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2026-01-054 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignations
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2026-02-055 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2026-02-056 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2026-02-057 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2025-2026 School Year
1:07.30 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - All Passed
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2026-02-058 Resolution to Approve the Spring Softball Trip to Orlando
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2026-02-059 Resolution to Approve the Spring Baseball Trip to Myrtle Beach - Dr. Benincasa stated that all transportation would be done by parents.
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2026-02-060 Resolution to Approve the Second and Final Reading of New Policy 4162.01, Revised Policy(s) 1422, 1623, 2260, 2260.01, 2266, 2430.02, 2431, 3122, 3123, 3130, 4122, 4123, 4162, 5130, 5200, 5410, 7540.02, 8400, 8462, 8600, 8600.04, 8640, 8650, 9270, and Rescinded Policy(s) 1422.02, 1662, 3122.02, 3362, 4122.02, 4362, 7541 - Dr. Benincasa indicated that this group of policy changes was to bring the district up to date. There will be one more group in March/April to allow the district to return to the every six month review schedule. Reviewer Note: Policies can be found in Board docs here by clicking on policy at the top right. The new policy is titled: DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF CDL LICENSE HOLDERS WHO PERFORM SAFETY-SENSITIVE FUNCTIONS AND ARE SUBJECT TO DOT TESTING
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1:11.15 min. Business Resolutions - All Passed
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2026-02-061 Resolution to Approve College Credit Plus Partnership Agreement Between Lakeland Community College and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-02-062 Resolution to Approve College Credit Plus Partnership Memorandum of Understanding Between Cuyahoga Community College and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mrs. Naylor asked about these various sources offering college level courses. Dr. Benincasa responded that West Geauga students want to pursue offerings from these sources.
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2026-02-063 Resolution to Approve Service Agreement Between Hogan Transportation and West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year - Mr. Vidmar asked for additional information. Mrs. Pavlat explained this is an outside van transportation company that provides service to students that West Geauga cannot.
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2026-02-064 Resolution to Approve Reserve School of Applewood Centers, Inc. Agreement for Educational Services with West Geauga Local Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
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2026-02-065 Resolution to Select and Approve as the Design-Build Firm Determined to be the Best Value and Authorize Negotiations for a Design-Build Services Contract - Dr. Benincasa offered a brief explanation of the statutory requirements the Board has met to reach this point. This resolution allows the Board to select the firm for the Water Treatment/Maintenance Building capital project. Mrs. Claypool asked each Board member to name the preferred vendor and comment on the reason for their choice. The support for Cold Harbor was unanimous. A motion was made, seconded and passed to amend the resolution by adding Cold Harbor as the Board choice.
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2026-02-066 Resolution to Approve Design-Build Scope of Work Determined to be the Best Value and Authorize Negotiations for a Design-Build Services Contract - Mrs. Claypool explained that this resolution will establish the scope of work for the alternatives available to the Board. These included the full water treatment plant and maintenance facility, the water treatment facility and a “shell” maintenance facility, or the water treatment facility only. Two add-ons to the selection are the addition of an access road and a vehicle lift device. Mrs Claypool had each Board member discuss their selection. After some discussion, the Board agreed that the Scope of Work would include the full water treatment plant, the maintenance facility, and the two add-ons” It was agreed that this was the initial scope of work and was subject to change and revision during negotiations to create a final version of the scope of work. The vote was taken on the motion and passed, 4 to 1, with Mr. Vidmar voting no, saying he had reservations on spending for the maintenance building.
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2026-02-067 Resolution to Approve the Advertising and Receiving of Bids for the Westwood Water Filtration Upgrade Project
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2026-02-068 Resolution to Approve the Owner-Contractor Agreement between West Geauga Local Schools and CentiMark under the Ohio Council of Educational Purchasing Consortia under the authority of ORC Chapter 167 and/or Section 9.48 - During the discussion, Dr. Beers confirmed that Centimark would be acting as a middleman contractor and would assume the liability for the performance of the work.
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2026-02-069 Resolution to Approve the Owner Contractor Agreement between Vasco Sports Contractors Omnia National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA) and West Geauga Local Schools
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2026-02-070 Resolution to Approve the All Ways Construction, LLC Proposal for the Lindsey Elementary Parking Lot & Sidewalks Project
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2026-02-071 Resolution Declaring an Urgent Necessity to Replace Certain Building Boiler Systems and Dispensing with Statutory Procedures to Proceed with Purchasing and Installing a New Boiler System
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2026-02-072 Resolution to Establish Scholarship Funds - The Miller Education Fund Scholarship will be for post-secondary education and will be $3,000 per year per student for four-year educational or vocational training. The school will make the original selection each year, and the Miller family will be the administrator for years 2 through 4.
2:03.20 min. Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be included on Future Agenda - Dr. Benincasa brought up two items of old business:
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Mrs. Bellan provided an update on security measures for the upcoming student Washington, D.C, trip as a result of a public comment at a previous board meeting.
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School Signage - Dr. Benincasa has determined that parts for repair of the current sign are problematic and that it has probably reached the end-of-life stage. She will address the issue at future board meetings when facilities issues are discussed.
2:09.40 min. Reports
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Superintendent
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Board - no reports
2:17.00 min. Executive Session
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2026-02-073 Resolution to Adjourn to Executive Session - That the Board of Education hereby moves to enter into Executive Session pursuant to R.C. 121.22(G)(1) to consider the appointment of a public official, specifically the appointment of a representative to the West Geauga Community Joint Recreation District Board. The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:19 pm.
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Reconvene into Regular Session - The Board reconvened to the Regular Session. No announcement of the new appointee was made at this meeting.
3:25.25 min. Announcement of Next Board Meeting
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Announcement of Next Board Meeting – There will be a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2026 at 6:00 pm in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chester Township.
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2026-02-074 Resolution to Adjourn - Passed - The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 pm.
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: March 2, 2026
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