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League of Women Voters of Geauga

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West Geauga Board of Education

LWV Geauga Observer Corps





West Geauga Board of Education - September 11, 2023


Meeting Details
: The West Geauga Board of Education met at 7 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 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 

  • Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh

  • Kathy Leavenworth 

Staff Attendance:

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

  • Karen Pavlat, Treasurer

Regular Meeting

Observer Note:  There are notations at the beginning of important discussion areas, and this corresponds to the minutes on the video when that discussion began.


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 - none


1:33 / 3.01   Summer Safety Project Update by Mr. Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology & Operations. Reviewer Note:  The  Video contains a Powerpoint presentation.  He worked with many people to ensure safety and security. The work included training of all staff in the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) procedures.  He said there are lead SROs (Student Resource Officers) and a SSO (Student Safety Officer) for each school. Each of these officers has received specialized training;  MARCs (Multi-Agency Radio Communication Systems) training and system upgrades have been provided.  

Facilities - New doors are complete.

Landlines - There are on-site District servers with a backup to call 911.  That will be combined into the Revolution system once fully implemented.

Cell Service - Looking at a Bi -Directional Amplifier (BDA) - they will be looking at a design and then going out to bid on this.


Assessment: Quarterly District Safety Meetings - dates are tentative - working with the Police Department to confirm:

      ○ October 11th

      ○ December 13th

      ○ February 14th

      ○ April 12th

Also to be explored is a potential Safety Audit


19:20 /  4.01 Public Remarks - Ms. Gruelich - commented on the changes in bus driver’s schedules and asserted that the contracts will result in denying health insurance to many drivers.   

Mr. Fleish - commented that in his opinion there are areas (such as the lunch room) that are understaffed and lack supervision. 

 

22:08 / 5.01 Routine items of content - included certified substitute list - Approved


22:11 / 7.01 - Approved personnel resolutions - included contracts, transportation route assignments, and unpaid work days.


16:26 / 8.01 - Approved program resolutions - included 6th grade overnight trip and changes in board policies (attachments included)


27:07 / 9:01 Business Resolution - special education services reduction in days 


28:51 / 10.01 Superintendent Report: 

There have been a few very hot weeks/days - Everyone seemed to do fairly well with the use of fans to keep air moving.  The Rock and Block party before Friday's game was well attended and enjoyed by all. 


30:23 - Board Report

The West Geauga Joint Recreation District Board has a vacancy.  This is the first time in a long time.  Chester and Russell Townships each appoint 3 board members.  The Superintendent  passed out a draft of a request for applicants for board review and input.  There is presently one qualified applicant and there will be marketing to bring in more applicants.  They are hoping that there will be applications from Newbury and the other townships.


Dr. Beers said that the Board is aware of busing and transportation challenges and are tracking the situation closely. There is a new transportation director, Melody Coniglio, and the Superintendent said that they are working on these issues and making progress.   

37 Min. (7:37pm) Executive Session - adjourned the meeting to executive session for personnel and compensation matters.  


56:12 Min (7:56 pm) Reconvened

Mr. Kotowski announced the next board meeting will be Sept 26, 2023.    

Ms.Pavlat also stated that the Sept 20th community forum will be a Special Meeting because more than 3 board members will be present. 

 

Board adjourned at 7:57 pm


Next board meeting: September 26, 2023


Observer: KC Henry

Editor: Sarah McGlone

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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