West Geauga Board of Education Approves Five-Year Budget Forecast
West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting – August 17, 2026
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on August 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 82 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. Ellen Naylor, Member; and Mr. Mark Vidmar, Member, were present. Mrs. Kathy Leavenworth, Member, was absent.
Staff Attendance: Dr. Nancy Benincasa, Superintendent; Dr. Amy Davis, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Karen Pavlat, Treasurer; Mr. Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology; Mrs. Meagan Bellan, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Mr. Mark Richardson, Facilities Manager; and Ms. Karen Hess, Pre-K teacher.
Other Attendees: Community members Mrs. Ann Vidmar and Mr. Michael Kilroy, approximately 15-20 unidentified staff, parents, and residents, and this Observer were present.
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. The Pledge was led by Ms. Katherine Hess, Pre-K teacher, and three recent graduates of the Pre-K program.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - None
3.10 min. Program Reports and Presentations - Five Year Forecast, Karen Pavlat- Treasurer/CFO - The presentation was on the District’s biannual budget submission for the Geauga County Budget Commission, in accordance with Ohio requirements, that is due by August 31, 2026. A revised budget will be submitted prior to February 28, 2027.
Highlights of the presentation:
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This is the first forecast being submitted under the new state filing schedule. Because it is due earlier in the school year than previously, more of the information required is not yet available from state sources and estimates must be used. The February 2027 forecast will contain updated numbers as they become available from the various governmental agencies. Observer Note: Ohio House Bill 96, the state budget bill, changed the budget forecast schedule for school districts. More information available here starting on page 251.
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Ms. Pavlat reviewed four House Bills recently passed that revise property tax laws and have resulted in revenue losses for the District and granted levy reduction authority to county budget commissions.
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FY2027 revenues for the District are estimated to be $39,726,276, with 29% being state funds and 71% being local funds (primarily from property taxes).
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FY2027 expenditures are estimated to be $37,210,000 with wages and benefits comprising 74% of the total expenses. Wages are determined by negotiated contracts. Health care benefits continue to grow faster than the inflationary rate.
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Overall expenses for FY2026 grew 1.4% due to intensive cost reduction efforts by the District.
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Cash balances will become negative in FY2031 if the District does not renew existing levies prior to their expiration. The District will have several opportunities for levy renewals prior to FY2031.
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New property tax laws will require new levy strategies to be compliant with new legislation.
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The District will need to make cuts and/or pass new levies in response to revenue loss from recent property tax provisions to maintain current instructional programs.
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The District property tax effective rate is among the lowest in the state. Reviewer Note: According to the information provided during West Geauga’s Budget Hearing on February 19, 2026, West Geauga’s effective taxation rate is 25.83 mills.
Observer Note: The published agenda for this meeting has two attachments for this presentation: the FY2026 August Five-Year Forecast (2 pages) and the Assumptions to the Five-Year Forecast - General Fund Only (23 pages). These attachments cover the entire presentation. The link to the agenda is given in the Meeting Details section at the beginning of this report.
38.20 min. Public Remarks -
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Ann Vidmar - She spoke as a member of The Athletic Spirit Booster Shop Team to express her appreciation and gratitude to the High School maintenance team for their help and assistance in getting the Spirit Shop ready for the upcoming season.
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Michael Kilroy - Announced a $500 donation from the Kiwanis Club of West Geauga for the Helping Hands Lunch Fund, a community-supported fund that helps cover student meal costs.
42.35 min. Routine Items - Consent - Passed
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2026-08-290 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters of the West Geauga Local School Board of Education
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Resolution to Approve July 2026 Financial Statements
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July 20, 2026 and July 27, 2026 Board Minutes
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Certified Substitute List for the 2026-2027 School Year
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Classified Substitute List for the 2026-2027 School Year
43.00 min. Financial Resolutions - All Passed
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2026-08-291 Resolution to Approve Warrants for July 2026
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2026-08-292 Resolution to Approve Transfer of Funds
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2026-08-293 Resolution to Accept Donations
Name Amount Donated Recipient
Ohio High School Athletic Association $1,250.00 HS Athletic Dept.
Lorraine Szabo $500.00 Joseph Szabo Memorial Chemistry Award
Michael Kilroy $5,000.00 Helping Hands Lunch Fund (New Fund)
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2026-08-294 Resolution to Approve Student Activity Statement of Purpose and Budget for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-08-295 Resolution to Accept Increase (Decrease) in FY 2027 Appropriations
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2026-02-296 Resolution to Approve August 2026 Five Year Forecast - In response to questions from various Board members, Mrs. Pavlat explained that as actual budget information becomes available during the coming months, it is reviewed and analyzed for its impact on the estimated amounts used for the August, 2027 budget and their impact on the February, 2027 budget submission.
56.30 min. Personnel Resolutions - All Passed
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2026-08-297 Resolution to Approve Certified Staff Appointments for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-08-298 Resolution to Approve Change in Certified Contract - Certified Salary Movement for the 2026-2027 School Year - Mrs. Naylor asked if these changes were to reflect additional education levels and advanced degrees. Dr. Benincasa indicated that this was the case.
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2026-08-299 Resolution to Approve Certified Stipends for Work Outside of the 2026-2027 Contractual Year
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2026-08-300 Resolution to Approve Additional Per Diem for Certified Staff
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2026-08-301 Resolution to Approve Classified Staff Appointments for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-08-302 Resolution to Accept Classified Staff Resignations
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2026-08-303 Resolution to Terminate the Probationary Employment of a Classified Employee
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2026-08-304 Resolution to Approve Unpaid Days
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2026-08-305 Resolution to Approve Supplemental Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-08-306 Resolution to Approve Service Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-08-307 Resolution to Authorize the Award of Service Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-08-308 Resolution to Approve Resignation of Service Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year
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2026-08-309 Resolution to Approve Job Description for Office Assistant: Board of Education
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2026-08-310 Resolution to Approve Student Internship Placement for the 2026-2027 School Year
1:00.05 min. Policy and Program Resolutions - Passed
1:00.50 min. Business Resolutions - All Passed
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2026-08-312 Resolution to Approve Anti-Skid Agreement Between Chester Township and the West Geauga School District
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2026-08-313 Resolution to Approve the Addendum to the Contract between AVI Foodsystems, Inc. and West Geauga Local Schools
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2026-08-314 Resolution to Approve the Purchase of Two Buses Through the Ohio Schools Council Cooperative May 4, 2026 Bidding Process - Mrs. Pavlat stated that an authorized vendor has indicated that the pricing for a previously approved purchase of school buses later this school year will be increased 10%. This resolution moves the purchase date of the buses up to avoid the increase.
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2026-08-315 Resolution to Approve the School Transportation Contract between Buckeye Logistics & Transit and West Geauga Local Schools
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2026-08-316 Resolution to Approve the Payment Agreement for Services Between Crossroads Health and West Geauga Local Schools
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2026-08-317 Resolution to Approve the Service Agreement Addendum Between the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve Governing Board and West Geauga Local Schools
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2026-08-318 Resolution to Authorize Request for Qualifications for Architectural/Engineering Consulting Services (District Building & Grounds Evaluations and Vet Tech Building Renovations) - Dr. Benincasa explained that the purpose of the resolution was to move forward to identify qualified vendors to provide evaluations of various West Geauga physical assets, such as the High School and Middle School. A public notice will be issued stating the District’s requirements and requesting responses from qualified vendors meeting these requirements. Responses would be due several weeks after the public notice is issued. The Board engaged in discussion about the process and how responses would be evaluated, what projects should be included and the priority of projects. Dr. Benincasa indicated that the responses and information gathered would be useful in updating the current five-year facilities plan.
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2026-08-319 Resolution to Declare Emergency Circumstances to Purchase the Replacement of a High School HVAC Rooftop unit in the 2026-27 school year.
1:23.00 Discussion of New Business and Suggestions to be included on Future Agenda - Mrs. Claypool stated that the Newbury Township Trustees had furnished two possible dates in September for a proposed meeting with the Board. She is in the process of polling the Board as to the suitability of the proposed dates. If these are not acceptable, she will propose alternate dates to the trustees in September and October for a meeting.
1:24.55 Reports
Superintendent - Dr. Benincasa highlighted the following for the Board:
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The first day of classes will be August 18th.
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Water Treatment Plant - the concrete work for the building foundation has begun and structural steel has been delivered. She distributed pictures of the progress to the Board.
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Pre-School Tour - the Board is invited to tour the Pre-K facilities an hour prior to the scheduled regular September Board meeting.
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Wolverine Classic - The rain delay date for the Wolverine Classic has been scheduled for September 21st starting at 4:30 pm.
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Relay for Life - The Fund Raiser scheduled for September 20th that will be hosted by the High School from noon to 4:00 pm.
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Enrollment - enrollment for the 2027 school year is up, with 65 new students enrolled in Grades 1 through 12.
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Track Update - Mr. Amstutz said that the project is completed, except for striping, and is ready for use. Striping has been delayed by rain and is scheduled to be completed by August 24th.
Board - No Reports
1:31.00 min. Announcement of Next Board Meeting
There will be a Regular Meeting on TUESDAY, September 22, 2026 at 6:00 pm, in the Board Office Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road in Chesterland, OH 44026.
Adjournment - Passed
Observer: Bob Doxey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: September 8, 2026
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