CHESTERLAND NEWS VOLUME 49 No. 23
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
WG, Newbury Proposed Merger Ends Abruptly Territory Transfer Talks Terminated at Separate BOE Meetings March 13 BY GWEN COOPER EDITOR@GEAUGAMAPLELEAF.COM
The engagement is off. Before the figures were finalized and even before public townhall style meetings could be held next month for residents to weighin, consolidation talks between West Geauga and Newbury school districts have ended. With very little discussion at its March 13 evening meeting, the West Geauga Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 to discontinue its financial feasibility study of the proposed merger. In adding the motion to the agenda, Superintendent Richard Markwardt said the Newbur y Schools Board of Education had met earlier that morning and voted 4-1 to end the discussion. “Preliminary information showed it could have yielded beneficial results,” Markwardt said. “I think it’s wonderful that the Newbury board has a lot of pride in their school,” West Geauga BOE
GWEN COOPER/KMG
At the March 13 BOE meeting, West Geauga Schools board President Dan Thoreson, left, and members Ben Kotowski and Thomas Phelps show their disappointment in the abrupt end to merger talks with Newbury.
President Dan Thoreson said. “I would have liked for both of our boards to have gotten together for a public discussion, but we never got to that point.” “We planned to have public discussions on a merger in April, once the study was complete and we had good information,” West Geauga BOE member Ben Kotowski added. “It could not have
“The results of that study have not provided the financials both districts had hoped for.” – Newbury Superintendent Michelle Mrakovich worked without community buyin.” In a March 14 press release, Newbury BOE President Susan Arnold stated that during focus groups, “Residents, staff, students,
parents and community members shared their concerns that they’ve had a school district here for 89 years and, for many people, it was See Merger w Page 4
Wolverines Hire Legend to Coach Girls Soccer BY BRIAN LAVRICH
Town Crier Story on Page 3
West G Schools
SPORTS@GEAUGAMAPLELEAF.COM
Story on Page 8 West Geauga was happy to announce the hiring of former star and graduate Kori Chapic as its new girls soccer coach. Athletic director Joe Leonette confirmed the hiring as one of the best athletes in the history of West G, boys or girls, will be back on the sideline. “I’m super honored and blessed,” Chapic said. “It’s such a great opportunity. It’s a chance for me to give back to the community that gave so much to me. The community has given so much to me, I hope I can give so much more back.” Chapic, 24, had moved back to the area after graduating from Penn State in the spring with a degree in engineering. Chapic was a four-year starter for the Nittany Lions and played in a national championship game during her sophomore season. Chapic was also a member of the U20 Women’s National Team. So less then a year after graduating from Penn State, Chapic is coaching her alma mater. “Obviously, it’s something I’ve dreamt about, but never this quick,” Chapic said. “I played (at West G) just six years ago. “It’s a huge opportunity. The biggest thing is the potential. We have some talented girls. I’m super excited.”
Letters to the Editor Story on Page 11
Publication Schedule As of May 2016, the Chesterland News switched to publishing every other week. Karlovec Media Group reserves the right to change, cancel or add publication dates at any time. BILL FUGATE/KMG
Kori Chapic takes over as West Geauga girls varsity coach after successfully coaching the 13U West Geauga Soccer Club. Chapic, a West G graduate, is considered one of the best athletes in Wolverine history.
She had been coaching with the West Geauga Soccer Club, leading the 13U girls program when Leonette reached out to her to gauge her interest. “She was the first name that popped into my head,” Leonette said. “She’s one of the best athletes to ever come out of West G. I reached out to her. I was happy when she said she was interested. She’s everything we want. “I’m extremely excited. She’s an alum, but also has a very meaningful resume. It’s a great opportu-
nity for the community and the program.” Chapic also works for Turner Construction as she puts her engineering degree to good use. Chapic replaces Joe DiLalla, who Leonette said would be nonrenewed at the end of the school year. West G went 11-5-2 last season. It should be a smooth transition for Chapic, not just because of being a graduate and a star for the Wolverines during her playing days, but because of the support
system also in place. In January, West G announced the hiring of Mario Gerhardt for the boys program. Gerhardt has the most wins of any high school soccer coach in Ohio history. Also, Chapic’s former coach, Bill Bryan, helps run the West Geauga Soccer Club. Both Gerhardt and Bryan have agreed to provide Chapic with any help she may need. “I spoke with Mario and Bill,” Leonette said. “They both plan on See Soccer w Page 4
April 5 April 19 May 3 May 17 May 31 June 14 June 28 July 12 July 26 Aug. 9
Aug. 23 Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Oct. 4 Oct. 18 Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Nov. 29 Dec. 13
facebook.com/chesterlandnews @chesterlandnews