Cuyahoga Falls board votes to close Preston Elementary starting 2026–27 school year

The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education voted unanimously on Sept. 24 to close Preston Elementary beginning with the 2026–27 school year.

Board member Mr. Harris, who announced his support during the meeting, said the decision followed months of data review and community input and was made with the district's long-term finances and minimal student disruption in mind. “After months of reviewing the data, listening to you, the community, and weighing our options, I believe that closing Preston Elementary, though painful, is the most responsible choice for the long term financial health of this district,” Mr. Harris said.

The board's vote followed extended discussion from several members who said they made their decisions reluctantly. Mrs. Schaffer, a board member and former Preston volunteer, said the choice was emotional because of the memories tied to the building but emphasized the board considered transportation routes, bus stops, student relocations, class sizes, facility condition, enrollment projections and projected operational savings in reaching its decision.

“Preston is special to so many people,” Mrs. Schaffer said. “This decision is not about the quality of people that are inside these schools because they're all outstanding. It is about how we can best use our resources to continue serving the students well into the future.”

Board member Mr. Gomez, who said he grew up a block from Preston, also supported the closure after reviewing boundary scenarios and enrollment patterns. He noted that in the district's boundary-drafting scenarios, closing Price would have affected more students than a Preston closure and that Price’s surrounding residential enrollment is stronger under current boundaries.

Superintendent/CEO Dr. Salako told the board the district has prepared a communication and support plan for staff, students and families. She said district staff developed talking points for classroom and family conversations and that messages to staff and families would be sent the evening of the vote; a press release would follow. Dr. Salako said the district planned morning visits to support Preston staff and principal Brown and to answer questions.

Discussion vs. decision The transcript shows an extended discussion and clear delineation between board members’ personal reflections and the formal action. Board members repeatedly framed the choice as fiscally necessary and aimed at minimizing student disruption. The record also shows the board asked administration for boundary maps and placement plans and that staff placement lists had been requested; details about exact numbers of students to be moved or the final boundary map were not specified in the meeting.

Formal action and vote A motion to close Preston Elementary beginning with the 2026–27 school year was moved and seconded (mover/second not specified in the transcript). In a roll-call vote the board recorded five ayes (Miss Coco; Mr. Gomez; Mr. Harris; Mrs. Schaffer; Miss White) and the motion passed.

Implementation and next steps The board did not adopt final boundary lines at the meeting. Members said draft boundary options had been prepared and would be refined with community feedback. Dr. Salako and district staff said they would provide additional supports to affected students and staff and continue work on staff placements; specific placement counts and final boundary maps were not provided at the meeting.

The board held the vote during its regular meeting at the Cuyahoga Falls High School Library and indicated the district will distribute guidance and talking points to principals and staff to support students through the transition.