West G Advances Plans for Water Treatment Facility

January 22, 2026 by Emma MacNiven

West Geauga Superintendent Nancy Benincasa announced the district is moving forward with plans for a long-awaited new water treatment plant and maintenance facility during the Jan. 12 regular board meeting.

The district has received two bid proposals for the project, Benincasa said, noting the board has discussed the project for nine years.

“We’ve been working with the companies to answer questions and understand the specificity of the bids,” she said. “We think, due to the nature of the extent of the project, it would behoove us to have a work session.”

The treatment plant and maintenance building will be located on the middle and high school campus and will include a filtration room, storage rooms, offices and mechanical and electrical rooms, according to a public announcement for the district’s design/build request for proposals.

The estimated project start date is June 2026, according to the RFP.

Benincasa added that a representative from Osborn Engineering is expected to attend the work session to answer questions and address concerns from the board.

The board has yet to schedule the work session, but hopes to meet in early February.

In other business, board member Bill Beers said he would defer his turn to serve as board president and instead nominated fellow board member Pam Claypool for the position.

“I think you can see that the position is not one to be taken lightly and is best handled by one with some experience and at this point, you are probably thinking that I have just given a campaign speech, but I am not seeking the position,” he said. “I have worked with Mrs. Claypool on the finance committee for two years and based on that and her previous professional experience, I am nominating her to be the next board president.”

There were no other nominations.

Claypool was elected unanimously to serve as board president, succeeding Christina Sherwood, who lost in the Nov. 4 election.