News / Articles

 Matthew Hosler to Become Berkshire Treasurer in August 

to Succeed Retiring District Treasurer Beth McCaffrey 

Berkshire Board of Education – Regular Meeting, April 13, 2026

Meeting Details:   The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon-Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021. A video of the meeting is posted here. View the agenda online and any attached documents here by selecting the meeting tab and then the meeting date.  The notation of minutes refers to the time posted on the video for the discussion of the item listed.

 

Board Members Attendance: John Manfredi, President, Linda Stone, Vice President and members Dan

Berman and Brandon Townsend. Bryan Wadsworth was absent.

 

Staff Attendance: Superintendent John Stoddard, Treasurer Beth McCaffrey, Middle School Principal Mandy Randles, and Middle School teacher Nancy Tiber. Matthew Hosler, incoming Treasurer as of August 1, 2026, was also in attendance.

Others in Attendance: Middle school students, members of the public and this Observer (virtual).

 

Opening of Regular Meeting - The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mr. Manfredi who led the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll was called.

 

Approval of Agenda – Approved unanimously without discussion.

 

Approval of Minutes – Minutes for the Regular Meeting March 9, 2026, were unanimously approved without discussion. Minutes are available through Board Docs here by clicking on the Meetings tab. The minutes are available in the detailed Agenda for the meeting following the meeting in question.  

 

1:30 Min. Student/Staff Presentation – Middle School Presentation

Middle School Principal Mandy Randles briefly spoke about the Middle School Honor Society as part of their goal to offer a wide range of extracurricular activities for students. She then introduced Mrs. Nancy Tiber, faculty advisor to the Honor Society, who called on three student members at the meeting to help explain the Honor Society, the organization’s expectations, and credentials needed for membership. 

Mrs. Tiber also spoke about the Honor Society’s ‘Sharing Good News’ video, a service project created to boost school morale. Honor Society students then presented the Honor Society’s “pillars,” which include service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The presentation closed with a screening of the ‘Sharing Good News’ video. Mrs. Tiber emphasized the crucial technological help with the video provided by Mr. Chris Kostiha, Makerspace classroom teacher, and his students, saying they “deserve much of the praise for the project.” 

Observer Note: See meeting video for the complete presentation which includes the ‘Sharing Good News’ video.

 

14:50 Min. Public Participation – An audience member expressed his appreciation for the concept of the ‘Sharing Good News’ video, saying “it was awesome” what the students did.

 

16:05 Min. Treasurer’s Report

Financial Statements – The Treasurer submitted a statement to the Board and the Superintendent showing the revenues and receipts from whatever sources derived, the various Appropriations made by the Board, the expenditures and disbursements, the purposes, and the balances remaining in each fund. The financial statements for the period ending March 2026 were submitted subject to audit and include Financial Summary, Appropriations and Revenue Summary, Check Register Recap, and Bank Reconciliation per ORC 3313.29. Observer Note: See Financial Statement details in the meeting agenda available online.

Donations – The Board unanimously approved: After prom donations totaling $2,550 from 8 local businesses, as well as a $100 gift from 2 individuals to the Elementary Principals fund and a Rotary of Burton $1,000 donation to the Interact Club. Observer Note: See Donations details in the meeting agenda available online. Mr. Manfredi noted “it is amazing the donations that we seem to get for these kids. They should feel awfully fortunate.”

 

Financial Amendments – The Board unanimously approved the following financial amendments:

Appropriation Changes:

*IDEA refers to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Cash Transfer:

18:10 Min. Superintendent’s Report

Personnel - The Board approved 3-0, with Mr. Townsend abstaining (no reason given), the personnel actions for Certified, Classified and Administrative staff as listed on the meeting agenda. Observer Note: A complete list of Personnel actions is available in the meeting agenda online.

 

Before the vote, Dr. Stoddard reported that they have a signed contract for a new treasurer, Matthew Hosler, who was in the audience. Observer Note: The Board announced at the November 10, 2025 meeting that they would begin a search to replace Mrs. McCaffrey, who will retire on December 31, 2026. Mr. Hosler’s contract begins August 1, 2026, according to Mrs. McCaffrey. Reviewer Note: Mr. Hosler is currently the Assistant Treasurer for Kenston Local Schools.

 

When invited to address the Board, Mr. Hosler expressed gratitude for “the opportunity to be part of such a great district and community and to work with John and the rest of the Berkshire team.” He said he had worked closely with Mrs. McCaffrey over the last few years and acknowledged he has “big shoes to fill.” Dr. Stoddard said the role of “treasurer is one of the hardest searches in the state.” Rather than hire an outside firm, he said Berkshire did its own search and got 7 applicants, a pool larger than search firms typically receive. Mr. Manfredi agreed with the Superintendent, saying no matter the position, Berkshire “gets plenty of applicants in order to make the best choice. So this school system and community get the best that is out there. We are very lucky, but it’s a testament to the people who have been here for a long time, and why people want to come here.” Other Board members joined in welcoming Mr. Hosler.

 

Volunteers – The Board unanimously approved without discussion volunteers as listed on the meeting agenda, including 13 volunteers for the Cedar Point trip. Observer Note: A complete list of volunteers is available in the meeting agenda online.

 

Contracts – The Board unanimously approved contracts for:

• Exceptional Kids Therapy Services for ESY 2026

• Exceptional Kids Therapy Services for 2026-2027 SY

• Hiram College (Field-Based Agreement)

• North Coast Therapy Associates (Speech Language Pathology Services)

• Future Plans (Career Assessment) MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)

• Youth Opportunities Unlimited MOU

• Lingo Cellular Line (a second phone line for the district for fire, life and safety)

• Freepoint Energy Solutions (electrical supplier)

• Jumpstart Preschool Lease – 2 year

• ETLA - Learn21 (EdTech Leaders Alliance)

Observer Note: See Contract details in the meeting agenda available online.

 

Student Overnight Trips – The Board unanimously approved the following student overnight trips:

• State Wrestling Tournament - Thursday, March 12 to Sunday, March 15, 2026

• 8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C. - Wednesday, May 6 to Friday, May 8, 2026

Dr. Stoddard clarified that the wrestling team qualified for the state tournament after the last Board meeting which required trip approval after the fact.

Sewer Easement with Kent State Geauga - The Board unanimously approved the sewer easement with Kent State Geauga.

 

Dr. Stoddard explained that the action addresses the technicality that Berkshire had never given Kent State Geauga, as the property owner, the easement to the sewer line when it was installed on the Berkshire campus more than 4 years ago.

 

Badger Care Hourly Cost – The Board unanimously approved the Badger Care (before and after school care) hourly rate at $5.50 for school year 2026/2027. 

25:55 Min. Old Business – No Old Business.

 

26:09 Min. New Business – Fiscal Caution Update.

Mrs. McCaffrey reported that on March 11, they had received a fiscal caution letter from the Ohio Department of Education. The letter requires Berkshire to submit by April 30 a plan to correct financial deficiencies projected in their financial forecasts. She noted that the state’s own financial projections won’t be available until April 20. As a result, she asked the state for and was granted an extension to May 18. Observer Note: See Berkshire LWV Geauga Observer Reports for January 29, 2026 and February 9, 2026 for more information. Mrs. McCaffrey said they intend to submit an updated five-year forecast and their plan to handle the fiscal caution issue at the May 11 Board meeting.

 

Mr. Manfredi reminded Board members that it was the time of year to make their donations to the Board Scholarship program which benefits Berkshire students in need. He said there is currently approximately $250 in the fund.

 

28:10 Min. Board Discussion 

Next Regular Meeting Dates – May 11, 2026 and June 8, 2026 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon-Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021.

28:25 Min. Executive Session – No Executive Session. 

28:55 Min. Meeting Adjourned

Observer: Rooney Moy

Editor: Carol Benton

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Date Submitted: April 16, 0226

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