Summary of March 9, 2017 Berkshire HS Faculty Meeting
Presenters:
Doug DeLong, Berkshire Superintendent, Sean Thompson Architect, Dr. Nate
Ritchey, Vice President, Kent State University and Maggie Lynch, Auburn Career
Center, Superintendent, John Stoddard, “New” Superintendent of Berkshire via
phone.
Teacher Leaders in Attendance: Janice Bartosic, Jen Catanese, Amy Hochschild, Matt Morbeto,
Pamela Nguyen, Tracy Rea, Janet Sherman, Lisa Starr, and
Cathy Zembower.
The meeting began at 4:00 p.m. First on the agenda was listening to Berkshire Middle-School
High School, Berkshire-Ledgemont Elementary, and Burton Elementary schools share faculty
feedback from their individual schools regarding the options. It was Sean Thompson’s goal for
the group assembled to try to identify two winning options form all of the choices. A complete
list of the feedback is attached to these summary minutes. The discussion was extremely
valuable.
Clarifying the Direction by Building a Detailed Description of Two Options
The two options that gained the most support described one building grades PK-12 with
separate units for varying age groups of students. A suggestion was made to tour Perry Local
School District where there are several buildings for the varying age groups linked by corridors.
The second preferred option was two PK-8 buildings with a new 9-12 building. Sean
Thompson reminded the group that OFCC (Ohio Facilities Construction Commission) would not
build a building with less than 300 students so the option of having two PK-5 buildings was
eliminated.
A lot of discussion focused on getting community input after the two options had been further
developed. Right now, the options are like skeletons that need to have meat on their bones to
provide a detailed option and be able to address questions to determine if one option is more
viable than another is. Cost would be a factor to compare one building versus more than one
building. Location of the new building is another concern. A major topic to be discussed and
resolved is “where do middle school students better belong? There seems to be a 50/50 split
on whether middle school students would be better grouped with younger elementary
students or older high school students.
Proposal to KSU President and Provost
Dr. Nate Ritchey spoke to the issue of “where the school building should be built?” While there
is a desire to get community input, Dr. Ritchey stated that there needs to be a proposal
submitted to KSU President, Beverly Warren and Senior Vice President and Provost, Todd
Diacon to gain their support for the idea of putting the new building on KSU Geauga property.
To place a new building on the property would have to have significant details resolved such as
size of building, lease or buy, rent or no rent, space for KSU to add to the project with their
needs for space and an auditorium, etc… Dr. Ritchey’s comments suggested that a proposal
should be brought to KSU President and Provost by at least June so that it could be on the KSU
Board of Trustee meeting agenda in August 2017.
Timeline
In an effort to put together a timeline of deadlines, there are significant realities that may bring
forth a sense of urgency. Starting with the proposition that the new building can be brought to
the voters on the November 2018 ballot and working backwards, here are some deadlines to
consider
November 2018
Bond Issue is on ballot for voters.
July-August, 2018
Board Motion must be passed and submitted to Board of
Elections to be placed on ballot for November Election.
June – November 2018
Campaign for Ballot approval
January 2018
Final design plan for new building(s) submitted to OFCC
August 2017
Kent State University Board of Trustees meeting to
approve KSU-Berkshire partnership to build on KSU
Geauga campus with terms of agreement completed.
June 2017
Meeting of Berkshire Board with KSU President and
Provost with Berkshire Proposal regarding KSU Geauga &
Berkshire Local School District partnership, land need,
terms, etc.
May 2017
Completion of two detailed scenarios to present to
Berkshire Board of Education that includes size, cost,
and potential shared resources from KSU, OFCC, and
location of facility. (There is an additional 10% cost
savings to the voters if the building is built on the grounds
of a Higher Education property.) to refine and hopefully
recommend to Berkshire community for input.
Berkshire School Board hires Design Architectural firm to
begin to work with OFCC, Teacher Leaders, and Board to
draft initial plan and rendering of building concept to be
share with community regarding construction of one of
building and/or renovation of other facilities.
When going to community, is it more important for
community to have vote or clear communication about
the recommended option? How to get unity in process of
getting feedback?
April 13, 2017
PRIME Executive Board meeting to share Wadsworth visit
and discuss key questions form Teacher Leader Meetings.
NEXT MEETING OF TEACHER LEADERS is scheduled for APRIL 6, 2017 AT 4:00 p.m. at
Berkshire Board of Education.