Twinsburg board approves property exchanges and purchases to advance new pre-K–6 school, contingent on May bond

The Twinsburg Board of Education voted 5-0 on April 2 to approve multiple property agreements and a purchase that the district says are necessary to build a new pre‑K–6 elementary school if a 3.84‑mill bond levy passes on May 6.

Board President Mrs. Crawford opened the discussion by describing the project and saying the board would “officially authorize agreements with community partners, paving the way literally for the main access road to our future school building on Chamberlain Drive.” The actions taken during the meeting include a contingent real‑estate exchange with the city of Twinsburg, a lease back of the Dodge campus to the district, a property exchange with the Hans family to secure a 2.6‑acre access parcel, and a purchase of a 1.78‑acre parcel from Scott and Donna DePue.

Why it matters: the approvals secure contiguous land and legal authority the district says it needs to build the school, create separate car and bus access points on Chamberlain Road, and allow the city to develop the former Dodge campus for municipal uses. District leaders told the board the changes are designed to reduce long‑term maintenance costs, improve campus safety and keep athletic facilities functional through field relocations and stadium renovations.

Board action and contingency - The board approved a real‑estate exchange agreement with the city of Twinsburg (resolution J‑12) and a lease agreement to allow the district to continue educational use of parts of the Dodge campus after the city takes title (resolution J‑13). Both resolutions were approved by roll call, 5-0. The board approved a property exchange with the Hans family (resolution J‑14) to acquire a 2.6‑acre strip for the school’s Chamberlain Drive access, and it approved a purchase agreement for the DePue parcel at 9689 Chamberlain Trail for $515,000 (resolution J‑15). Each vote was 5-0.

Officials emphasized that these transactions are contingent on voter approval of the May bond. “Following the successful passage of the 3.84 mill bond levy on 05/06/2025,” the resolutions state, the district will move forward with the exchanges, leases and purchases.

Project scope, cost and timeline District materials and presenters at the meeting cited several planning and cost figures. The current bond proposal is described in board materials as roughly $97 million (compared with an earlier $107 million plan) and 3.84 mills, which the district estimated during the meeting as about $1.35 annually in tax for a $100,000 home appraisal. The administration gave an estimated interest rate of about 5% for financing projections. The board’s business manager, Matt Strickland, said the district is coordinating with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission records, Summit County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on site studies, and that modern storm‑water controls and retention basins will be required if the wooded lot is developed.

Traffic, site and athletic plans District staff said they have commissioned a traffic study from TMS, the same firm used by the city, to model peak traffic, bus routing and potential road improvements. Strickland said the study is likely to recommend a traffic signal and road widening/turn lanes on Chamberlain Road. The design presented at the meeting separates car and bus access: parents would enter from one Chamberlain driveway while buses would have a separate exit on Chamberlain Trail.

The Tiger Legacy project also includes athletic field relocations and stadium renovations. The district plans to move the varsity baseball field to the high‑school property, relocate the JV/ninth‑grade field and move the girls’ practice soccer field behind Tiger Stadium; Tiger Stadium would receive turf replacement (the existing turf approaches its 10‑year warranty), new track surface, renovated bleachers, LED lighting, upgraded sound and improved Wi‑Fi and concession and restroom areas.

Community partners and property details The meeting materials and speakers identified three outside property partners: the city of Twinsburg, the Hans family (who will convey a 2.6‑acre parcel in exchange for the board’s administrative office property at 11136 Ravenna Road), and Scott and Donna DePue (whose 1.78‑acre parcel the board agreed to purchase for $515,000). Mrs. Farthing and business manager Matt Strickland described resident meetings near the planned site and said district staff have been working to address drainage and traffic concerns raised by neighbors.

What district officials said “This is a significant milestone in bringing our vision to life,” Board President Crawford said during her report. Strickland told the board that storm‑water work is not optional: “Anytime you build a new building or pave a parking lot… modern building codes dictate that you have to mitigate the water. There are creekways that run through the wooded lot that would be tied into retention basins, and then also tied into storm drains. So again, that's all done up to modern code. That's the law.” He also described the traffic‑study process and said, “I suspect that the results to this will be the same. They'll want a traffic light. They'll wanna widen so that there's a turn lane on Chamberlain Road.”

Next steps The approvals the board passed Tuesday are explicit that work and transfers will proceed only if the May 6 bond is approved. District presenters said additional technical studies (traffic, soils, environmental, storm‑water and wetlands reviews with Summit County and the Army Corps) remain part of the planning process. The district is hosting two tours of a comparable new elementary school (April 10 and April 17) and will communicate project details and Q&A on its website as planning continues.

Ending All resolutions tied to land exchanges, leases and the DePue purchase passed unanimously, 5-0, during the April 2 meeting. The board’s decisions secure the parcels and legal framework the district says it needs to complete schematic design and pre‑construction work, but construction will not begin unless voters approve the bond levy on May 6.