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Volume 56, No. 7
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
West G Superintendent to Step Down in 2025 By Allison Wilson editor@karlovecmedia.com
After nearly a decade at the helm of West Geauga Schools, Superintendent Richard Markwardt officially announced Aug. 19 his decision to resign at the end of his current contract, July 31, 2025. The West Geauga Schools Board of Education accepted Markwardt’s letter of resignation during its regular board meeting. “When I accepted my current position in 2015, I would not have guessed that I would remain in the district for 10 years. However, the accomplishments we have made as a school district, despite significant challenges, have kept me here,” Markwardt wrote in his letter. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with such a talented group of educators.” Board President Christina Sherwood took a moment to speak following the board’s vote to accept the superintendent’s impending resignation.
“When Dr. Markwardt was hired by the West Geauga school board 10 years ago, we were ranked 133 in the state out of over 650 other districts,” she said. “That board wanted to be in the top 5% in five years. Dr. Markwardt had even grander plans for our students, staff and community.” Sherwood detailed how Markwardt put a team together, which, along with West Geauga’s staff, helped facilitate the growth the district has seen. “As he enters his final year in formal education, we can once again expect to see our district highly ranked. But do not mistake, that ranking is merely students performing well on state tests,” Sherwood continued. “That is only a piece of the puzzle. Our students have been taught content knowledge in a manner that allows for critical thinking and application at a significantly higher level than in years past.”
INSIDE THIS WEEK
ALLISON WILSON/KMG
West Geauga Superintendent Rich Markwardt discusses his time at West Geauga Schools and his impending retirement at the Aug. 19 school board meeting.
Students have also become more interested in areas outside of traditional academics, and are seeking internships and volunteer opportunities, she added.
“This district is on a path now that felt so distant 10 years ago,” she concluded. “From 133 to 10 is the true testament of commitment See Superintendent • Page 3
Phillips Leads Wolverines Golf to a Great Start By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com The West Geauga Wolverines Golf Team is off to a great start this season. Led by freshman Dylan Phillips, the Wolverines are shooting low scores and recently defeated the Chagrin Falls Tigers. In addition, in the Wolverines recent match against the Hawken Hawks at Fowler's Mill Golf Course on Aug. 21, Phillips earned medalist honors as he shot a 33, two under par. In describing his excellent round against the Hawks, Phillips emphasized that his ball striking was very good. Just how good was Phillips' ball striking? Phillips drove the green on the par 4 7th hole and then hit his tee
shot to within a foot of the cup on the par 3 eighth hole. “I drove the green on 7, hit it about 320 (yards) to about 15 feet,” said Phillips. “Two putted there for birdie. Then on the next hole, I stuck it to about a foot, and buried that putt. Got a clutch up and down on the last hole. That was pretty nice.” With Phillips excellent round of two under, Head Coach Jay Kletecka said that the Wolverines' 164 against the Hawks was their lowest score of the year. “Dylan shooting two under par, 33, is just amazing,” said Kletecka. Coach Kletecka said that in addition to Phillip’s low scores, he has contributed greatly to how his teammates have begun to approach the game. “Just watching him hit and attack the pins and his ability has
taken things to the next level,” said Kletecka. “Ever since he has come to practice, everything for us has been elevated which has been amazing. Just his presence has really helped our guys better understand how to control the golf course.” In addition to Phillips' excellent round against the Hawks, he also led the Wolverines to a second place finish in the NEO Futures Kickoff Classic Tournament at Briardale Greens Golf Course. Phillips' round of 70 (34-36) led the Wolverines to a 312 second place finish for the tournament, just two shots behind Perry. Coach Kletecka said that in 16 years of leading Wolverines Golf, the NEO Futures Tournament score of 312 was the best tournament round See Boys Golf• Page 3
Wolverines Girls Tennis Excited for 2024 Season start on page 6 ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Dylan Phillips in an Aug. 21 match against the Hawken Hawks at Fowler’s Mill Golf Course. Phillips earned medalist honors as he shot a 33, two under par. The Wolverines’ 164 against the Hawks was their lowest score of the year.
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