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West Geauga Board of Education

LWV Geauga Observer Corps



West Geauga Board of Education - June 26, 2023


Meeting Details
: The West Geauga Board of Education met at 7 p.m. 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.  A  recording  is available here.


Public Comment Policy:
permitted at all regular meetings in accordance with Public Policy 169.1

Board Attendance:

  • Ben Kotowski, President

  • Christina Sherwood, Vice President

  • Dr. William Beers -  ABSENT

  • Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh

  • Kathy Leavenworth

Staff Attendance:

  • Richard A. Markwardt, Ph.D., Superintendent  

  • Karen Pavlat, Treasurer

  • Sean Whelan, Director of Technology, Support Operations & School Safety

Public Hearing - Retire/Rehire

Public meeting on reemployment of Sandy Razzante as a 5th-grade teacher commencing September 5, 2023, following her retirement and Cathy MacDonald as a bus driver commencing August 14, 2023, following her retirement. (Observer Note:  This is permitted and is often referred to as retire/rehire.)   


There were no public comments on this matter.


Regular Meeting

 

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order, attendance was taken and a quorum was established. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.


Additions/Changes to the Agenda - noneAgenda found here


Minutes: June 12, 2023 minutes were approved through the consent agenda.


Public Comment on Agenda Items: none offered 


Financial Resolutions - May Financial Statements were approved through the consent agenda. APPROVED ten resolutions, including May expenditures  totaling $1.6 million, a $15,000 donation from RMS Empower for the STEAM Grant Fund, Student Activity Statements, Course Fees for 2023/2024, and numerous year end budget appropriations.

 

Personnel Resolutions - APPROVED multiple items, including the resignation of the Director of Technology, Support Operations and School Safety, and numerous staff appointments, stipends and supplementals.  

 

Policy and Program Resolutions - none presented.

 

Business Resolutions - APPROVED nine resolutions, including:

  • Memorandums of Understanding with both the Chester Township and Russell Township Police Departments to provide patrol officers and safety officers. 

    •  Dr. Markwardt said that they are presently considering increasing an already strong police presence.  He explained the roles of school safety officer and a school patrol officer. Russel police agreed to participate with the end result that every building will have a police officer present. Dr. Markwardt stated he is very grateful for the police department's interest and cooperation.

  • Agreements for virtual learning, professional development and behavioral health support. 

  • Agreements for district insurance, food service and HVAC maintenance

 

Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Markwardt said they closed out the school year and are working hard to get the “right people in the right seats” with interviews and research ongoing and time consuming but both are providing great results.

 

Board Reports - no official report.  Discussed having a retreat in August to review building reports to better educate the board on the many details that will be considered for planning decisions. 

 

Appointment of Treasurer ‘Pro-Tempore’ - Mrs. Pavlat will be absent for the  July 17, 2023 Board Meeting. Kathy Leavenworth was approved to act in her place.

 

Executive Session - entered into at 7:40 pm for the purpose of discussing personnel matters: investigation of charges and/or complaints.  Returned to regular session at 8:52.  No action was taken.


The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 pm. 


Next Board Meeting- July 17, 2023


Observer: KC Henry

Editor: Anne Ondrey

Reviewer: Gail Roussey


The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.



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