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Volume 57, No. 1
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, June 4, 2025
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BOE Approves $16M for School Repairs Officials Look at Joining Vouchers Hurt Ohio Org. By Emma MacNiven macniven@karlovecmedia.com West Geauga Schools Board of Education approved more than $16 million in capital investments at its May 19 meeting — marking a major step forward in infrastructure upgrades across the district. The board approved transferring $4.8 million from the general fund to a first capital projects fund for middle school renovations. The plan includes a water treatment plan, roofing repairs, lighting, flooring, door replacements, facade replacements and univents. “You have a couple of bites at the apple before we make any final decisions,” Treasure Karen Pavlat said. The board also approved a direct-wide capital plan in the amount of $11.5 million, which will be transferred from the general fund to a second capital projects fund. These projects include district-wide maintenance work, such as new windows, a track at the high school, doors and floors.
The general fund transfers come on the heels of the board unanimously voting to remove a $128.2 million bond issue from the May 6 primary ballot in March, which was slated to fund a new combined campus, auditorium and field house for school and community use. As a result, district officials had to pivot and take a different approach to address needed upgrades. Last Monday, the board also approved a $114,205 quote from All Ways Construction, of Chardon, for new sidewalks at all the schools in the district and a quote from Shiffler Equipment Sales, of Chardon, for $54,825.90 for a pre-kindergarten playground at Westwood Elementary School. In other business, West Geauga Schools hired Director of Pupil Personnel Jennifer Norman last Monday. Amy Davis, former director of pupil personnel, announced Norman would be taking her place. “She brings a wealth of knowledge (to West Geauga Schools),”
Platinum Pen Award
Davis said. Norman has been a principal and an intervention specialist in local districts. “Her commitment to students with special needs is exceptional, and we're very lucky to have her consider working here,” said Davis, who was appointed as assistant superintendent last month. The board also discussed the possibility of joining the Vouchers Hurt Ohio Organization, which is a group of over 300 districts in Ohio suing the state over its EdChoice private school voucher program, claiming it is unconstitutional. Vouchers give parents the ability to use public funding for private schools, according to EdChoice. “The program has grown from $42 million in 2008 to up to $1 billion in the current two-year budget,” according to Vouchers Hurt Ohio. “(Many) families in the past, paid tuition to private schools (and) now they're being reimbursed by the state,” Superintendent Rich Markwardt said. Board members Pam Claypool and Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh said they want more time to look
into the issue. “I'm just going to do a little research,” Claypool said. “I'd like to see both sides (and) look at both arguments. I would like to hear from maybe one of our reps or something, too, as to if the vouchers went away, what does it mean? I mean, I know we say on paper that that means the money would come (back to public schools). I just don't know how the mechanics of that work. I'd like to learn more about that and find out what Columbus is thinking — if they are.” Board member Kathy Leavenworth remained firm on the voucher program being a problem. “There are more and more people who are paying for their students' education and have paid for it, but they're taking advantage of the vouchers and they don't necessarily need it,” Leavenworth said. “Whereas, the people who are in need … are not taking advantage or cannot take advantage because they can't afford (private schooling), even with the voucher.” The board plans to discuss the lawsuit further at the June 23 meeting.
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Summer Closure of Howell Field The Howell Field turf replacement project began June 2. From June 2 until further notice, the stadium will be closed to all visitors. All summer athletics and extracurriculars will be relocated to practice fields and the track will be completely off-limits to walkers. Watch the school district website for updates on the reopening of the stadium at the conclusion of construction.
Russell Police Urge Drivers to Buckle Up Staff Report
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WGMS student Cora Duxbury had an amazing Power of the Pen season. The culminating achievement, a testament to her hard work, was receiving the Platinum Pen Award. Cora’s writing composition, “To Have Finally Moved Away From the Beach,” was selected as Best of Round at the regional tournament, then as a Platinum Pen Award winner as the best of the best. It will be published in this season’s book of winners.
As summer approaches, the Russell Township Police Department is joining law enforcement nationwide to remind residents to buckle up this season with its annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign. The campaign, sponsored by The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, runs from May 12 to June 1 to promote seatbelt enforcement efforts. “The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known for a spike in traffic fatalities, especially for teen drivers,” the Ohio State Highway Patrol said in a release. In 2024, 64% of people who died from car accidents in Ohio were not
wearing seatbelts, according to the OSHP, which added Geauga County's seat belt compliance rate is 76.9%. The most fatal routes in Geauga are U.S. Route 422, state Route 306 and state Route 44, OSHP said. “Buckling up is the simplest thing a driver can do to limit injury or save a life during a crash,” Russell Township Police Lt. Scott Lillash said. “We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. So often, it could have been prevented.” Geauga County had 214 seat belt violations in 2024, according to the OSHP. In Ohio, officers cannot pull drivers over if they or any passengers are not wearing a seatbelt. See Buckle Up • Page 4
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