Superintendent's Message : August 20, 2019

August 20, 2019

Dear West G Parents/Residents:

Students returned today for the 2019-2020 school year. We are glad to have them back and hope that this new school year is their best yet.

A major current topic in West Geauga is the probable territory transfer of the Newbury Local School District to the West Geauga Local School District. If the transfer is successful, as anticipated, the current Newbury School District would become a part of the West Geauga School District for the 2020-2021 school year. Several transitional activities are being planned for the current school year to acclimate families who live in Newbury Township to the West G school family.

A secondary issue is that of facilities master planning for future district needs. After multiple meetings of community residents, a plan was presented to the West Geauga Board of Education in February 2019. Facilitated by BSHM Architects, it combines new construction with renovation. In short, the plan calls for a new high school and middle school joined by an auditorium and performing arts classrooms and supplemented by an athletic field house for school and community use. The plan also involves the consolidation of the two existing elementary buildings into the current middle school after renovation to accommodate the educational needs of the younger children.

Curriculum-related initiatives focus on early literacy and continued implementation of a new K-12 math curriculum.  Special education and Gifted services will also receive attention in an effort to meet more fully the needs of all students.

We are pleased to welcome everyone back to what promises to be a busy and rewarding school year. Thank you for your continued support of your schools.

Sincerely,

Rich Markwardt, PhD

Superintendent of Schools

June 25, 2018: Superintendent's Message

Dear West Geauga Resident,

The 2017-2018 school year was a good one for West Geauga Local Schools. Throughout the year, our students garnered multiple awards in academics and extracurricular activities. These have been documented through local newspapers and social media.

A major initiative of the upcoming school year will be a Master Planning project conducted by the West Geauga Board of Education to determine how best to meet the needs of West Geauga’s students in the near and distant future. As part of the Master Planning process, the Board will be soliciting input from community residents, school support organizations, staff, and students to discuss educational programs and examine corresponding facility needs.

The firm conducting the Master Planning process is BSHM Architects in cooperation with Warner Concepts. Community input will occur with the resumption of school in August and will culminate with a presentation to the West Geauga Board of Education in December 2018.

It is imperative that the West Geauga community plan now for the needs of its students in upcoming years. Our facilities are approximately 60 years-old and are in need of significant renovations and/or replacement. The Master Planning process will help us to determine our community’s vision for its schools, multiple options available to pusue that vision, and the best means by which to achieve it. Master Planning is a conceptual process; it does not include specific building designs.

This is an exciting time for West Geauga as we plan for our district’s future. Thank you, in advance, for your input and for your continued support of your schools!

Sincerely,

Rich Markwardt, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Welcome Back: August 16, 2017

Dear West Geauga Residents:

We are preparing to welcome our students back to school for the 2017-2018 school year. Many of our staff members have worked throughout the summer hiring new personnel, securing equipment and supplies, and working to improve our buildings and grounds. Teachers return next Monday, August 21, and students will arrive on Tuesday, August 22.

Fifteen new staff members are joining our ranks this year. In many cases, they replace those who retired or resigned. For the first time in several years, we will have six classes each in grades Kindergarten through Grade Five.

The past school year was a good one for West Geauga. The district received positive recognition and accolades from several national and regional publications including Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Washington Post, and Cleveland Magazine. Such recognition is a credit to our community and to those who work in and attend its schools. 

Thank you for affording us the resources to offer a comprehensive K-12 curriculum and a healthy array of extracurricular programming in athletics and the arts. We value your continued support.

Sincerely,

Rich Markwardt, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools