Leaf Thursday, September 19, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 38 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Murray Charged with Misdemeanor Staff Report Former Chardon High School Principal Doug Murray has been charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for altering grades, according to a complaint filed Sept. 9 in Chardon Municipal Court. Murray resigned abrupt- Murray ly in February, after an investigation by Chardon Schools showed he made unauthorized changes to two grades involving two students, the district said in its statement.
Chardon Council Weighs In on Courthouse Chatter By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com
Chardon City Council members pushed back on rumors about delays or disruptions to the renovation and expansion of the historic courthouse on Chardon Square at their meeting Sept. 12. Although Mayor Chris Grau had already publicly addressed comments made last month by Geauga County Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri — in which he
alleged the city had been considering pulling out of a legal settlement which required the city to pay a portion of the project — council members weighed in on what Grau said were accusations “based on hearsay” that the city was reneging on its commitment to the project. In a 2022 legal settlement, the county agreed to pay a minimum of $15 million to update the courthouse, while Chardon’s contribution was capped at $2 million, or
INSIDE
10% of expenses related to public infrastructure site work, and beautification of the square. “I think we should state for the record that there never was any pushback from the city, despite allegations made to that effect,” council member Andy Blackley said. Council member Dan Meleski agreed. “The allegations that were made based on hearsay — I would See Courthouse • Page 5
Burton Village
See Murray • Page 4
Sports
WG Middle School Renovation Plans March On
pages 11-15
Chardon Schools Showcases Innovations at Chamber Event
By Allison Wilson Wilson@karlovecmedia.com Families can expect to see significant work done to West Geauga Middle School in the near future. Operations and Technology Director Scott Amstutz gave an update on the school’s major projects to the West Geauga Schools Board of Education Sept. 9. “Our goal is to look at that building because when we think about the one campus component … this is the building that we want to continue to renovate to drive down some costs of the overall project,” Amstutz said in a followup interview Sept. 11. “But, also work on some of the mechanics of this building.” See Renovations • Page 4
page 6 ANN WISHART/KMG
Burton Village Mayor Ruth Spanos, left, swears in new council member Megan Williams during the Aug. 23 special council meeting.
Burton Native Takes Seat on Council By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com If Burton Village Council was looking for a goal-oriented person to join their ranks, they found one in Burton Village native Megan Williams. Williams took her seat at the table after being sworn in by village Mayor Ruth Spanos at the special Aug. 23 council meeting — bringing council up to full strength
again after the resignation of longtime council member Bonnie Richards. Williams teaches eighth-grade science, STEM, horticulture, automation and robotics at Mayfield City Schools and is the coach for Berkshire's seventh-grade volleyball team, according to her resume. She graduated from Berkshire High School in 1989, received her bachelor of science degree in
education at Cleveland State University, another bachelor’s degree in education with a specialty in sports management from Bowling Green University and a master’s degree in the art of teaching from Marygrove College in Detroit. The new council member said she has lived in Burton Village most of her life and she and her husband, Dave, live on Colony Lane in the village. See Burton • Page 3
Berkshire, Preston Partner in ODOT Garage Future page 8
Obituaries page 16
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 20
Classifieds start on page 23 Single Edition $1.25