Berkshire BOE Enters into Agreement with Ames
Berkshire Schools Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution Feb. 12 to enter into a settlement agreement with Brian M. Ames and pay him $850 to avoid defending against a costly lawsuit.
Berkshire Schools Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution Feb. 12 to enter into a settlement agreement with Brian M. Ames and pay him $850 to avoid defending against a costly lawsuit.
Ames filed a lawsuit Dec. 27, 2023, alleging the board had violated Sunshine Laws during a meeting by failing to take a roll call vote to enter into an executive session.
He also alleged the board did not follow meeting minutes requirements, according to the agreement in the BOE’s Feb. 12 online meeting agenda.
The board promised to be more careful in the future regarding such actions as one of the conditions in the document to be signed by Superintendent John Stoddard and Treasurer Beth McCaffrey.
“The board agrees to hold an executive session only after a majority of the quorum of the board determines by a roll call vote to hold an executive session and only for the purpose of considering a matter permitted under (Ohio Revised Code) 121.22(G) and keep full and accurate minutes of its meetings in accordance with Ohio’s Sunshine Laws,” the agreement said.
Once he receives payment of $850, Ames has three days to file a voluntary dismissal with prejudice with the court, rendering the litigation settled.
He also agreed to cease actions against Berkshire BOE on the matter.
“Ames shall discontinue all claims regarding, related to or arising out the facts and circumstances alleged in the litigation and shall discontinue all public record requests,” the agreement said.
Ames, who lives in Mogadore, is a self-appointed watchdog of government meetings seeking out numerous violations and filing lawsuits against a long list of alleged violators of Sunshine Laws, many of whom were reported in the Feb. 8 issue of the Geauga County Maple Leaf.
During public input Monday, a resident asked the board for information on a new building being planned for the school campus and wanted to know if the board approved the plans when there is no record of a vote in board meetings.
Stoddard said the board only authorized him to explore costs and possible sites for the eight-classroom building proposed to accommodate preschool and kindergarten students, including classrooms for students with special needs at those levels.
She also asked for an update on the Geauga County Fair Board’s threat to evict the district from the former board offices on the fairgrounds.
The district has classes on diesel engine maintenance in the building, which has a large garage.
“We are in limbo. Until the fair board take us to court to evict us … there is no update,” Stoddard said.
