Twinsburg council authorizes land swap with school district; exchange contingent on May 6 bond vote

Twinsburg City Council on April 22 adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter a real estate exchange agreement with the Twinsburg City School District, a step tied to the school district's planned 3.8-mill bond levy on May 6, 2025. The resolution passed 6-1.

The vote clears the way for a proposed land swap the district says will allow construction of a new pre-K through sixth-grade school as part of the district's Tiger Legacy Project, while giving the city property it would use for municipal services. Council President Post said the swap is contingent on voter approval of the district's levy and noted the decision will ultimately be made by the community at the ballot box.

Supporters, including parents and longtime residents, urged council to approve the swap so the district can move forward with new facilities. Opponents asked council to slow the process, citing traffic safety, wetlands, potential impacts to well water and long-term tax and operating costs. Council members who spoke at the meeting emphasized that the land exchange does not take effect unless voters approve the bond levy.

"Legacy is not always convenient," Brian Davis said during public comment, identifying himself as a resident and speaking on behalf of the Tiger Legacy Project. "It's built through consistency, sacrifice, and community choosing again and again to believe in something that is bigger than ourselves."

Several residents described why they support the district plan. Joe Rebe, a parent, said Resolution 40-20-25 is about "a promise to carry out the legacy of what makes the city so special" and argued the new school would provide a safe space that reflects the community's investment in children. Daniel Heim, a teacher and Twinsburg resident, told council he supported replacing aging school buildings and noted the parcel at issue was once district-owned.

Other speakers urged caution. Theresa Hayes, who lives on Chamberlain Road, said the proposed site is surrounded by houses and called the location "not the right location," citing narrow residential streets, existing flooding and concerns about bus traffic passing close to homes and driveways. Sheila Williams, who identified herself as a long-time resident, warned about future operational taxes that follow new school construction and raised broader concerns about school-choice funding drawing money away from the district.

At least two meeting speakers differed over state funding for the project. Council member Steve Kribley (speaking as a resident) said state reimbursement of nearly $15 million was still available as of the meeting; Mike Turlforce, a resident who addressed council later in the meeting, said the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission funding is not a guaranteed grant and must be applied for, and that wealthier districts are not prioritized for those funds.

The formal action on the floor was adoption of Resolution 40-20-25, "authorizing the mayor to enter into a real estate exchange agreement with the Twinsburg City School District." Council President Post moved adoption; Miss Walker seconded. The roll-call vote recorded six yes votes and one no (Miss Walker voted no). Post stated that the exchange is contingent on the district's 3.8-mill bond levy passage on May 6, 2025, and that no land will change hands if voters reject the levy.

City staff and council members said the swap is intended to serve the city's need for a service garage while allowing the district to build a modern school on what the district considers a suitable parcel. Questions from residents and council members focused on traffic circulation, the lack of sidewalks on neighborhood roads near the site, groundwater/well impacts and whether proper environmental and traffic studies are complete or have been shared with neighbors. Council members said the item had been discussed in previous readings and public engagement sessions and that further details would be resolved as part of project planning should the levy pass.

Resolution 40-20-25 passed 6-1; the agreement is contingent on the school district's successful bond levy on May 6, 2025. With the passage, the swap may proceed only if voters approve the levy.