West Geauga Board of Education Regular Meeting - December 18, 2023
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on December 18, 2023 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 video recording is available here.
Board Attendance:
Staff Attendance:
The meeting was called to order and roll call was conducted.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - none
1:40 Program Report and Presentation - Scott Amstutz, Director of Instructional Technology and Operations, conducted a comprehensive presentation on current and potential long-term building projects. A copy of the presentation is available through the Agenda link above. He reported that major projects at the 4 school sites will depend on board decisions related to whether a particular campus will be renewed or if there will be a rebuild. This report includes needs/cost estimates at each site, specifically: updating locker rooms, pump house, technology, generator, skylights, window, storm water drainage, asphalt sealing or replacement.
Additional needs identified were in transportation which could include replacing 1-3 buses and/or vans each year for next 3 years: STEM furniture, equipment and technology/labs need updating. Additional costs projected for turf field, track replacement and relocating tennis courts were discussed.
41:13 Public Remarks- A parent expressed concern about her freshman daughter’s health class curriculum that she felt includes inappropriate materials. She is asking for a parent review committee to be established and for more communications regarding these types of curriculums.
44:35 Routine Items - included 2023 Financial statements, substitute List. All Approved
Financial Resolution - included warrants (payments) for November 2023, approval of Donations, an Increase (Decrease) in FY 2024 Appropriations, a Fund to Fund Transfer from General Fund to the Permanent Improvement Fund, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Purchase of Boiler Replacement. All were approved.
Minutes - approved for the November 20 Regular Meeting and the November 27 Special Meeting.
48:49 Personnel Resolutions - included areas such as Staff Contracts, Long-Term Substitute Assignment, Staff Appointments, Staff Transfer of Work Assignment, supplemental, Service Contracts for the 2023-2024 School Year, Student Teaching Placement. All were approved.
51:34 Policy and Program Resolutions - included areas such as programs of studies, 2024-2025 Open Enrollment Guidelines and Caps, 2023-2024 Annual Report to the Board of Education on Nutrition Standards in the District - Approved
58:20 Business Resolutions - included the purchase of a bus and van, a Service Agreement Between Proactive Behavior Services and West Geauga Local Schools, and Bids for the 2024 Summer Permanent Improvement Projects - Approved
Board Resolutions - None
59:55 Resolution to Appoint President 'Pro-Tempore' for the Organizational Meeting - Christina Sherwood will be the president Pro Tem until the January 8 meeting.
1:02:01 Board Reports - There was a discussion about how to improve procedures to inform the community and parents about current issues.
1:11:37 Superintendent Report: Superintendent Markwardt recognized and thanked Ben Kotowski for his 12 years of service Reviewer Note: Mr. Kotowski retired from the School Board at the end of December 2023. This was his last meeting.
1:15:21 Executive Session - Stated purpose was to address issues around personnel matters
1:46:48 Reconvene into Regular Session - No actions were taken.
Adjournment
Next scheduled meeting is January 8, 2024.
Observer: KC Henry
Editor & Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 1/8/24
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