Superintendent Pays Homage to Outgoing Board Members
Outgoing West Geauga Schools Board of Education member Dan Thoreson and President Chet Ramey were honored for their service on the board during what would be their last meeting Dec. 13.
Outgoing West Geauga Schools Board of Education member Dan Thoreson and President Chet Ramey were honored for their service on the board during what would be their last meeting Dec. 13.
Superintendent Richard Markwardt expressed warm words of appreciation for both Thoreson, who chose not to re-run in the November election, and Ramey, who was defeated by candidates Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh and Christina Sherwood.
“Dan Thoreson has been a member of the West Geauga board of education from 2014 through 2021. During that time, he’s worked diligently to help the district pursue its potential. His efforts were not limited to academics, but extended into the extracurricular realm, as well,” Markwardt said. “I have known Dan for a long time. Dan possesses the ability to say precisely what he thinks and the courage to back up his statements.”
Markwardt recalled when Thoreson was board president and contacted him to see if he would be interested in applying to be superintendent of West Geauga Schools.
“The rest, as they say, is history,” he said. “With Dan as a member of the West Geauga board of education, the district has weathered challenges that has included open enrollment questions, sweeping changes in board composition, reconfiguration of school building, consolidation through territory transfer with a neighboring school district and the COVID-19 pandemic. West Geauga has moved from an academic performance index that placed it 133rd among Ohio’s 600-plus school districts to 16th. I’d say that’s a pretty good record of achievement, one that I believe to be unequaled by any other school district in Ohio.
“It would not have been possible without the support of an exceptional, strong and tireless board of education,” Markwardt continued. “Although we have not yet fully achieved Dan’s vision for West Geauga, I think that we are well on our way to doing so. Thank you, Dan, for all you have done to represent the residents of West Geauga in your various capacities as a member of the West Geauga board of education.”
Ramey, who served the on the board from 2018 to 2021, has always been a “voice of quiet reason, concise delivery and unflustered resolve,” Markwardt said.
“New board members are always a bit of a puzzle. They’re elected with objectives and ideas they bring to the table in an effort to improve the school district whose residents elected them,” he said. “In Chet’s case, it was difficult to determine what his agenda would be. Over time, I came to realize it was a pretty simple one. He wanted to be sure West Geauga’s kids were safe physically, socially and emotionally while they were in schools. He has proven that fact time after time whether his views were popular or not.
“(The 2021 school year) was a terribly challenging year to be president of the board of education,” Markwardt added. “The pandemic and polarized views associated with responses to it on the national, state and local levels were debated and shouted in various forums — none more emotional than local board of education meetings. As president of the West Geauga Board of Education, Chet consistently demonstrated calmness and respect for all who approached the board, even if they failed to reciprocate. He was a leader with class and courage and I will always respect him for that.”
Markwardt quipped about Ramey’s love of efficient meetings.
“Sometimes, he will time my remarks and let me know if I spent too much time elaborating on a particular topic. He has a quiet, albeit effective way, of keeping people humble,” he said. “I am grateful to Chet Ramey for the strength, guidance and encouragement he has given to me and my fellow educators. Equally as important, thank you, Chet, for your steadfast commitment to all of the residents of West Geauga.”
