West Geauga Local board approves batch of hires, contracts and calendar fix

The West Geauga Local School District Board of Education approved a package of personnel moves, contract actions and operational items at a June special meeting.

The board unanimously passed Resolutions 176–190, covering administrative and certified appointments, resignations and retirements, supplemental contracts, the first reading of policy revisions, a calendar correction for 2026–27, purchase of a wheelchair-accessible passenger van, renewal of the district’s commercial insurance package and a construction change order for athletic facilities.

Why it matters: the items enable staffing and transportation needs for the coming school year, align district policy language and address an immediate student transportation need that the board said could not wait until July.

Personnel and contracts: the board approved multiple certified and classified staff appointments and accepted resignations and retirements. Amy Davis introduced two recent hires: “Katie,” described as an experienced intervention specialist and school counselor with MTSS experience and district-parent involvement, and Susette Firehammer, whom Davis said has worked in other nearby districts and brings strong relationships with students and families. The board praised departing staff; one retirement was noted with a comment about the retiree’s long service (“What am I going to do at four o’clock in the morning every day?” the board quoted the retiree as saying about retirement life).

Calendar correction: Resolution 187 corrected a counting error in the 2026–27 calendar by making Easter Monday a student and work day so the school year’s end date did not change.

Transportation purchase: Resolution 188 authorized buying a passenger van with enhanced wheelchair capacity. Board members modified the purchase timing to 2025–26 so the district could obtain the vehicle immediately for a time-sensitive student need; the board said the new van will allow two wheelchairs, up from one in the current fleet.

Insurance renewal and finances: Resolution 189 approved renewal of the district’s property and liability insurance and cyber coverage for 2026–27. The board reported a roughly 1.4% increase in property/liability premiums, a $1,000 increase in cyber coverage costs, and an increase in the deductible from $1,000 to $2,500; the district said updated property valuations offset some of the change.

Facilities change order: Resolution 190 approved Vasco Sports change order No. 1 to address a soft, saturated soil area adjacent to the parking-lot side of the track (approximately 40 by 36 feet). Contractors will investigate the root cause and apply soil stabilization measures; the board noted the project schedule remains on track.

Votes: Roll-call votes were recorded for each resolution with the three in-person board members—Mrs. Clay, Miss Levvenworth and Miss Naylor—voting yes on the items recorded in the meeting minutes.

The board announced its next regular meeting will be June 22 at the district office at 8615 Cedar Road, Chesterland, Ohio.