[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6185111,"mediaKeyId","5083461-d835aa4573b3216a4e63fc6493b2e13c","parentId",5083461,"title","Cuyahoga Falls board pauses levy resolution, requests financial modeling on replacement vs. renewal","audioSeconds",850,"startMs",6578000,"endMs",7428000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5083461-d835aa4573b3216a4e63fc6493b2e13c&start=6578&end=7428","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5083461-d835aa4573b3216a4e63fc6493b2e13c/thumbnail_6578000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185111/Cuyahoga-Falls-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Cuyahoga-Falls-board-pauses-levy-resolution-requests-financial-modeling-on-replacement-vs-renewal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185111-7c8955b7680dba6014571eba58d69d63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196631&Signature=bHHXS8GZ5Ai-0KOctgaRGbZAOkaS9n25K1F8tbvyE6Te0QnHuT3fEIcN0LFJe83IXaV-Kya~qyYw5~VH2kvSDx6Dzxe3ekQeNAYS9Biw8~r4Aka4O5sON7RVORh6dwNjYcMxcjcJ1CXfsTncfnB8Uzh9F2uTVtaw4t7S6rL8g5o7J-SWQBDx1oTzlj07lSChrIrZnLq4aUTZmT-H1Wh2a7OFxuxuojFvyWl68-owm-GVHANTIY271Rek6TXnk0XrZM2bYHcNucW4jnIJ91W0eX4IuciJ5FzSyQnd7ZDigC888JhB9aYtwhtyfYW9-2Ai~iTCogHkKvUBbtmP4L0MRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cuyahoga Falls City School District","date","2025-06-26T12:02:36Z","article","The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education on June 25 discussed whether to seek a replacement levy (which would restore prior millage) or to renew an existing local operating levy, then voted to table a formal resolution and asked district finance staff to return to the board at the July 9 meeting with detailed financial modeling.

Treasurer/CFO Christine briefed the board on year-end appropriations and cash balances and noted the board must act on levy declarations by statutory deadlines if it wants an issue on the November ballot. The motion to table the resolution was moved and seconded; a roll call on the tabling motion was taken and the item will be revisited on July 9.

Discussion points included the practical difference between a renewal and a replacement levy under Ohio law and the short-term policy window: board members noted state changes that will remove the ability to use replacement levies in the future, so the November ballot could be the last practical opportunity to restore an older millage via replacement. The board sought clarity on tax-effect and homestead-exemption implications and asked the treasurer to produce a forecast showing the effect of a restoration on district revenues and on the five-year forecast.

Board members and staff discussed broad order-of-magnitude numbers in the meeting: a participant used a notional district valuation to illustrate that restoring prior millage could materially increase annual operating revenue (a rough example mentioned in the meeting equated about 3.75 mills on a roughly $1 billion valuation to about $3.75 million per year). Treasurer Christine offered to model multiple scenarios and to present the district’s financial-health indicators and forecast implications at a future meeting.

Action taken: the board moved to table the resolution to the July 9 meeting so staff and the county fiscal officer have time to supply the second required certification and so the board can review the treasurer’s modeled revenue impacts under renewal vs. replacement scenarios. No tax measure was placed on the ballot at the June 25 meeting.

Background and next steps: Under Ohio’s levy timetable, a board must pass required pre-certification language and work with the county fiscal officer to certify the levy request on a statutory timeline; the board asked staff to coordinate with the Summit County fiscal officer and to present replacement and renewal revenue scenarios and the expected effect on the district’s five-year forecast ahead of the July 9 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cuyahoga Falls City Schools BOE Meeting 6/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board discussed whether to replace or renew a long-standing operating levy, heard preliminary legal and valuation questions and voted to table formal action until July 9 so the treasurer can model fiscal impacts and levy options.","taxTitle","Cuyahoga Falls City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",58172,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185116,"Cuyahoga Falls to open new 6–12 campus in January; board briefed on move plan, ribbon-cutting and stadium naming",3152,3222000,6374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5083461-d835aa4573b3216a4e63fc6493b2e13c&start=3222&end=6374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5083461-d835aa4573b3216a4e63fc6493b2e13c/thumbnail_3222000.jpg","/articles/6185116/Cuyahoga-Falls-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Cuyahoga-Falls-to-open-new-612-campus-in-January-board-briefed-on-move-plan-ribbon-cutting-and-stadium-naming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185116-0373ce8d48335da3b9fa0713b9af6420/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196631&Signature=e2ep4XFblcxBRYPlnzDca418F4etwXfCA-nl2xmC5-RITQ78FzgELh9viRuPaLiiCbYlQqFi3exjxc0Ys9eFVO-0Lx5Org9G3jzFnQ~QA4a4VskWcSlx8PN57YT-VJGoIrs--sJQ5YJK6c5~qaodPOYxl8XT3p5ZFlC0O37VCqpnEmQGof2fvxW66vnpqjHD8hXyNBROyEITiDJu79PxzUR9mmo7uXc7bguk7cxRqTEBTR11aUkosEAgF5x3dbcaBz1ijfoKqoiRmkxUN-inEMNCiBy3YKKKTz~Su7hVdPDgYciK0jEwDMJLhECR1Gt3jRrwS03YkqHScOHtVLyvjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cuyahoga Falls City School District officials told the board on June 25 they expect students to begin classes in the new combined 6–12 campus in early January and outlined a staged move-in plan for staff, students and the public.

Superintendent Dr. Celico said the district expects to take ownership of the new campus by Nov. 26, hold a ribbon-cutting and public preview in early December and complete staged staff and student moves over winter break and the first week of the January term. The board was also told Lambert Buick has committed $250,000 over 10 years for stadium naming rights.

The timeline given to the board calls for a middle-school open house on Jan. 6, followed by middle-school students’ first day on Jan. 7. The district will schedule a high-school open house and stagger the high‑school students’ first attendance so that, by the end of that first week, all secondary students will be in the new building. Teachers will be allowed to begin moving personal items into classrooms in December; the district’s hired moving company will handle the bulk move over winter break.

District staff said they have selected a moving company that the Ohio Schools Council and other districts have used, are completing technology equipment orders and will not transfer existing classroom furniture to the new campus (unsold furniture will go to an online auction). The construction manager and architect — identified as Hammond and TDA in the meeting — continue finishing punch-list and systems work.

Parking, traffic flow and temporary impacts: Board members and staff repeatedly flagged parking constraints during the first semester because the Bullock building and its lot will remain in place while the district begins abatement; Bullock demolition and site work will follow the campus opening. Superintendent Celico said parents should expect adjustments to drop-off and pick-up plans and that some stadium lots will be used for parking and require students to walk up a hill to campus. “It’s going to be tight,” one board member said; the superintendent and operations staff said they will monitor traffic and make adjustments.

Public events and community outreach: The district plans a public ribbon-cutting and a series of building tours and student field trips before the campus opens to help manage family concerns and give students a look at the new facility. Communications staff have produced a 12-part video series and are updating the district website and newsletters to keep families informed.

Stadium naming and fundraising: Dr. Celico announced an approved stadium sponsorship: Lambert Buick will provide $250,000 over 10 years for naming rights to the district’s stadium, to be announced with a press event; additional smaller advertising and sponsorship packages are being developed for athletics as a recurring revenue source.

Logistics and next steps: The district expects the movers to coordinate directly with staff about room-by-room packing. Staff have been told on detailed timelines for packing and for professional-development and team-building work needed to combine the middle schools. Auction schedules, technology installs, safety and accessibility checks and emergency-response planning are in progress. The board will receive continued updates as work shifts from construction completion to operational move-in tasks.","Superintendent outlined timeline for moving middle and high schools into a new shared campus in January, announced a $250,000, 10-year stadium sponsorship from Lambert Buick, and described logistics including selected moving company, packing, auctioning of old furniture and temporary parking limits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185121,"Cuyahoga Falls board asks staff to explore repurposing Shanae as district studies elementary consolidations",2482,248000,2730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5083461-d835aa4573b3216a4e63fc6493b2e13c&start=248&end=2730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5083461-d835aa4573b3216a4e63fc6493b2e13c/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6185121/Cuyahoga-Falls-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Cuyahoga-Falls-board-asks-staff-to-explore-repurposing-Shanae-as-district-studies-elementary-consolidations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185121-925c2bee2b1c4568fc4a2146c7e85644/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196631&Signature=g5Ez~9fge-0GNGrfxnMDwxHbAkC1nxOT-1Lh-CEVPkXi2XWzVLqO5xTtCZ~uxQJab2XTXqyl220K6J-DQ1JkF5F~j5W4WJrmWRNbZc1lmvTh56ayAOPqNZFBXJwGXEbiV0SoDCNb1F1D0T~pNyNKJpnkxMTkATea3Hd1i~VULx2nUHeu8tBOOc~4WllhbITBdOIkBoxLxKVwQsM~0hEeYoqHwiXo5vHparhw6Z1TdvdeL8C8csKhxjT6OdAVXU1cG985lc~vj4cmvZ8ZVjfILBBgS5tFRz~SSQrJgXMQc33FJGmPIy68U0fcp9nRdm2ihi~xvzZc~4YNuoWr7TJtrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cuyahoga Falls City School District officials on June 25 asked staff to continue studying options for consolidating elementary schools and to explore repurposing the Shanae Learning Center instead of closing one of the district’s six neighborhood elementary schools.

Superintendent Dr. Celico presented data showing long-term enrollment declines, facility capacity, transportation impacts and estimated operational savings as the board discussed next steps. Board members agreed to prioritize the topic at the July 9 meeting so staff can return with boundary and transportation analyses.

The presentation compiled multiple factors the board’s policy suggests for school-closing decisions, including building age and condition, square footage and “big-ticket” system needs such as boilers, roofs, playgrounds and air conditioning. Dr. Celico noted the district has Office of Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) facility studies available for each building and emphasized that the presentation focused on empirical data while acknowledging the emotional and community impacts of any closing. “No one ever wants to arrive at this,” Dr. Celico said when describing the difficulty of the decision.

Why it matters: Cuyahoga Falls has lost students over the last decade and faces funding pressure. Dr. Celico told the board the district’s enrollment has declined about 24% over the past 10 years; an outside demographer’s projection supplied to the district estimates a further decline of roughly 351 students (about 9%) over the next 10 years. Those trends affect classroom capacity, transportation routes and staffing, and they were central to the board’s discussion about whether to close or repurpose a site.

Key details from the superintendent’s data presentation included building-by-building capacity and room counts: Lincoln showed the largest available classroom capacity (about seven rooms that could be used for classrooms, with a possible eighth); DeWitt had an estimated one to two spare rooms; Preston three to four; Price had effectively no spare rooms; Richardson roughly four; and Silver Lake one to two. Dr. Celico and staff also ran class-size assumptions (kindergarten targeted at about 22 students, early grades at 22–25) to estimate how many classrooms would be needed if students were redistributed.

Transportation and redistricting were repeatedly raised as constraints. The district’s bus count per elementary building varies (for example, DeWitt was shown with three buses and Lincoln with two); the transportation supervisor, Margie, is preparing alternative boundary maps and route scenarios the board requested. Board members cautioned that adding students to a building can require additional bus routes, drivers and monitors, and that those operating costs must be counted against any savings from a closure.

A specific option the superintendent asked the board to consider was repurposing the Shanae Learning Center rather than closing a neighborhood elementary. Shanae currently houses an alternative program and a preschool; superintendent staff proposed relocating Shanae’s programs into another elementary building, selling the Shanae property and using proceeds to offset district costs. Dr. Celico said that would avoid removing a neighborhood elementary from the district’s roster and could preserve the community stability associated with an active school building.

Board members signaled support for studying that path. Board member Mr. Gomez said the repurposing approach would keep current school sites available for future capital planning — including any eventual bond measures — and would “not tie the hands of future boards.” The board did not adopt a final plan or approve closures at the meeting; instead members voted to place the elementary-building discussion at the top of the July 9 agenda so the superintendent and staff can return with redistricting scenarios and transportation cost models.

What’s next: Staff will supply revised boundary maps and transportation impacts for the narrowed set of potential buildings (the transportation supervisor will focus analysis on the three buildings the board most recently identified), and the board expects to continue public engagement once lines are redrawn. Any formal closure or repurposing decision would require subsequent board action and public notification.

Clarifying note: The presentation separated recurring operational savings estimates (salaries, benefits, equipment) from nonrecurring capital investments (roofs, HVAC, large renovations). Dr. Celico said the operational savings data were illustrative and that staffing implications will depend on contractual bumping rights and attrition, not on an immediate layoff plan.","Superintendent presented enrollment, capacity and cost data and proposed repurposing Shanae Learning Center rather than closing one of six elementary schools; board members asked staff to continue study and place the topic at the top of the July 9 agenda.","actionData","errors"]

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Cuyahoga Falls board pauses levy resolution, requests financial modeling on replacement vs. renewal

Cuyahoga Falls to open new 6–12 campus in January; board briefed on move plan, ribbon-cutting and stadium naming

Cuyahoga Falls board asks staff to explore repurposing Shanae as district studies elementary consolidations