West Geauga Board of Education Tax Budget Hearing/Organizational Board Meeting/Regular Board Meeting - 1/8/24
Meeting Details: The West Geauga Board of Education met on January 8, 2024 at 6:45 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 (Note: Officers listed below were elected at the Organizational portion of the meeting)
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Christina Sherwood, President
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Dr. William Beers, Vice President
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Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh
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Kathy Leavenworth
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Pam Claypool
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
Swearing in and oath of office of elected members -
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Dr. William Beers
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Mrs. Pamela Claypool
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Ms. Kathy Leavenworth
Call to order for Tax Budget Hearing and Organizational Meeting
2:10 Tax Budget Presentation
The tax budget for 2024-25 was reviewed, including looking at the general funds and emergency funds. Expense estimates cover building needs and other costs. Income includes property taxes, Homestead roll back, school foundation and “other.” The tax revaluation will result in about a 30% anticipated increase in revenue. Presentation can be found here and on the Agenda.
14:27 Public Comments - No one signed up to offer public comment, so no one spoke from the public
14:58 Organization of the Board for 2024 - included approving the Nomination of the Board President (Sherwood) and Board Vice-President (Beers) for Calendar Year 2024. Also Approved 2024 Board Meeting Dates, Time, and Location (generally designated Mondays @ 7 pm).
20:17 Additional Board Business included Approving the Service Fund, Compensation for Board Members ($125 per meeting), Board Appointments on Behalf of the Board and adopting the Operating Protocol for Regular Meetings.
24:36 Treasurer’s Business - included approving the Authorization Resolution, authorizing the Treasurer to File Tax/Counter Tax Complaints, designation of Newspapers, representation of Legal Counsel, membership in the Ohio School Boards Association and in the Ohio High School Athletic Association, designation of Taylor Insurance Group as Health Insurance Broker/Consultant, authorizing the Board President and Treasurer to Borrow Funds, and adoption the 2024-2025 Alternative Tax Budget.
28:22 Superintendents Business - Approve the Authorization Resolution and appointment of Designated Staff and Support Groups.
30:00 Resolution to Adjourn Tax Budget Hearing/Organizational Board Meeting and Convene Regular Board Meeting
30:20 Call to Order and Roll Call for Regular Meeting
Additions and/or Changes to the Agenda - none
Program Report - none
31:12 Public Remarks - A spokesperson for those supporting the theater group discussed forming a theater booster club. The club would help with fundraising and support as well as generally assisting with theater coordination. One of their key goals is to make the program affordable for all students.
37:09 Resolution to Approve Routine Matters - includes, minutes and Substitute List.
Financial Resolutions - none
37:38 Personnel Resolutions: Resolution to Approve Job Descriptions, staff appointments, substitutes and a student teacher and to remove a staff position.
42:09 Policy and Program resolutions: Approve Calendar
Business resolutions - none
42:20 Board Resolutions: Approve Middle School Softball and Middle School Baseball as Club Sports; Approve new theater support club as a future agenda item.
50:00 Superintendent Report - Certificate of appreciation for the Board from the State of Ohio. Board members were thanked for their work. Dr. Markwardt spoke about the amount of time that the Board members spend reviewing items that they receive before they are presented at the Board meeting. He acknowledged the importance of the time that Board members spend studying and researching matters before they come before the Board. It was also mentioned that the digital newsletter for parents will be sent out soon. It was stated that this newsletter is sent to parents, but that it is also on the website and individuals who are residents can request to receive this newsletter. Reviewer Note: Individuals can search the West Geauga School District website using the search term Family Newsletter. There are archives of Newsletters for Lindsey Elementary, the Middle School and the High School. Here is a link to the High School newsletter.
54:31 - Geauga County Budget Commission Communication - A letter was read from the Geauga Budget Commission regarding the Board’s decision to offset an increase in property taxes by $1 million. The Budget Commission recognized and thanked the Board (and all the other entities in Geauga County who did this) for mitigating the impacts of the recent property revaluation.
Announcement of Next Board Meeting 1/22/24 @ 7 pm
56:09 Resolution to Adjourn
Observer: KC Henry
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 1/20/24
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