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West Geauga board pulls $128 million bond from May ballot after community pushback
Summary
Facing sustained public concern about timing, cost and communication, the West Geauga Local School District Board voted to remove the proposed $128 million bond from the May 2025 ballot and promised more community outreach and planning before any future vote.
The West Geauga Local School District Board of Education voted to remove a proposed $128 million bond issue from the May 2025 ballot after weeks of public feedback and a series of public comments urging more community engagement.
Board President (identified in the meeting as the speaker moderating discussion) said the move was driven by constituent concerns about timing and clarity and that the board wanted “one final conversation” in public before proceeding. The motion to remove the bond passed by roll call vote; members recorded a unanimous or near‑unanimous vote in favor of taking the measure off the May ballot.
Why it matters: The bond would have financed new or renovated school facilities under the district’s master plan. Supporters say upgraded buildings are needed for student learning and safety; opponents and some residents said now is not the right time because of economic pressure on taxpayers and unanswered design and cost questions.
Public commenters pressed the board during the meeting’s public‑comment period. Anthony Zaffiro urged the board to resign, calling the handling of planning and costs “fiscal malfeasance.” Katie Davis said delaying the bond for about one year would let the district fund further design development and a community survey to answer outstanding questions. Brandon Davis and other residents urged the board to tap local technical expertise and to form a community committee if the district restarts the campaign.
Board members who spoke backing the delay said the decision was not a rejection of the facilities plan but a response to the feedback they heard that the community wanted more detailed designs, a clearer financial plan, and broader public outreach before a vote. One board member said seniors and other voters felt “squeezed” and that disregarding those concerns would be counterproductive.
Several board members said they had no intention of using an August special election to refile the bond; multiple members said they would not pursue an August vote. The board directed staff to return with additional outreach, clearer capital and nonroutine maintenance lists, and options for a revised schedule if the district decides to seek voter approval at a later date.
What’s next: The board asked administration to prepare materials for further community engagement and to return with more detailed cost and timeline information. The board also agreed to move its May meeting date (noted in the meeting as a scheduling item) to allow time for additional discussion and planning.
Votes: The motion to remove the bond from the May 2025 ballot passed by roll call; the transcript records each member answering in the affirmative during the roll call conducted after the motion.
