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Board puts GPD architectural proposal on hold as superintendent recommends repurposing Chaney preschool
Summary
Board tabled a vendor proposal for an independent architectural review; superintendent recommended repurposing the Chaney building for district programs and selling the current Chaney site to raise funds.
The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education voted on June 11 to table a proposed services agreement with GPD Group for an outside building assessment and instead asked district staff for additional information.
During a discussion about long-range facilities planning, Superintendent Dr. Celico told the board she had revisited district buildings and gathered additional data since the last meeting. She suggested the board consider repurposing one of the district’s elementary buildings rather than closing one of the six existing elementaries. Specifically, she proposed relocating the preschool and the district alternative program (currently at Chaney) into a different elementary building that better meets accessibility needs and selling the Chaney site to generate revenue for reinvestment.
Board members asked for more detail on accessibility constraints, maintenance costs and projected sale proceeds. A board member noted that two schools are not ADA accessible and would not be candidates to receive preschool and alternative programs because those programs include students who require accessible spaces.
After discussing whether to hire GPD Group to do an independent review for a quoted base cost of $7,000 (with potential additional fees for expanded work), the board voted to table the GPD proposal. "I feel satisfied that we've collected what we need right now," one board member said before supporting the motion to table. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with board members present voting "aye." No further contract action was taken; the superintendent said she would present the additional building data and a set of recommendations at the June 25 meeting.
Officials said selling Chaney could produce funds to offset investments needed at another building, and that maintaining a district-owned building that can be repurposed preserves future options. The superintendent also noted Chaney has sections with roof and other deferred-maintenance issues that would require investment if kept in district use.
The board’s tabling of GPD preserves the option to bring in an external reviewer later but puts initial emphasis on staff-provided data and a repurposing scenario for Chaney.
