Wet Geauga School News

August 9, 2018 by Staff Report

West G Receives High Marks

Moody’s Investor Services recently released its annual comment letter on the West Geauga Local Schools. In the newest release, the district earned a high quality Aa2 rating.

In its press release dated July 9, 2018, Moody’s commented, “The district’s financial position is robust and is relatively favorable in comparison to the assigned rating of Aa2.”

The rating is based on a comprehensive financial analysis of the district and reflects the careful management of funds. A large part of the Aa2 rating earned by the district is based on the cash balance and fund balance in relation to the percentage of operating revenue. They are 48.6 percent and 53.6 percent, respectively, which is better than the U.S. median.

Also contributing to the high quality bond score is a negligible debt burden and the high credit strength of the district.

“The board of education and administration work to ensure that every dollar provided by the community is carefully accounted for and spent on the educational needs of the district,” said Karen Penler, treasurer. “We are pleased Moody’s has acknowledged our strong financial stewardship with this Aa2rating.”

WGEF Raises School Awareness

The West Geauga Educational Foundation recently participated in the Kiwanis Chesterland Independence Day Parade.

The WGEF has been in operation for three decades to create options for innovation in education.

Caise McHale, president of the WGEF, said, “We provide funding through our grants system to give teachers and others the ability to find new programs and creative ways to educate our kids.”

In the last 30 years, WGEF has awarded almost half a million dollars in grants to not only teachers, but also parents, students, community members and administrators.

McHale said, “Participating in the annual Independence Day parade is a way for us to get the message out about our mission within the community. That’s to help our students get the best education possible and we enjoy working with the West Geauga staff to make that happen.”

Kickstart App Day

On Aug. 20, West Geauga High School seniors will have the opportunity to work directly with college admissions officers to fill out applications and write essays to give them the best possible opportunity to study at the university of their choice.

Sponsored by the West Geauga Educational Foundation, this program is designed to support West Geauga seniors in making their essay stand out from the hundreds of other applications that college counselors read every single day.

Caise McHale, the president of the WGEF, said, “We are so excited about this opportunity for our seniors. Having a college counselor review an essay can make all the difference in gaining entrance to the school they would like to attend.”

Parents are welcome to observe the first two sessions of the day on essays as well as a simulated admissions committee exercise.

Students who are interested in attending this one-time activity must register by emailing kickstart.wgef@gmail.com. There is a $20 fee to register.