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:
Staff Attendance:
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
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