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Plymouth‑Canton superintendent unveils $5 million ORSAA Credit Union pledge, first reading of naming agreement for Innovation Hub

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education · January 28, 2026
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Summary

Superintendent Monica Merritt presented a first reading of a naming‑rights agreement with ORSAA Credit Union that would commit $5,000,000 over 25 years to programming for a Canton High School Innovation Hub; the board will consider final approval in March after legal review and an MOU is completed.

Superintendent Monica Merritt told the Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools board that ORSAA Credit Union (formerly Community Financial) has committed $5,000,000 over 25 years to support a planned Innovation Hub on the Canton High School campus.

"I am beyond excited to finally be able to share in a public setting what I believe is a very important milestone for Plymouth Canton Community Schools," Merritt said, describing the pledge as both a financial investment and a collaborative curriculum partnership. Merritt said the funds would be earmarked for programming tied to the Innovation Hub "for K‑12 and beyond."

Tansley Stern, introduced as ORSAA’s president, described the credit union’s long history of school partnerships and said the organization will work with district staff on co‑creating curriculum. "We have branches in over 50 schools across this great state," Stern said, noting ORSAA’s emphasis on long‑term, community‑rooted engagement.

Board members asked how the money will be paid and what it will fund. Merritt said the $5 million is structured across 25 years and will be allocated to programming at the hub. "All programming things related to our innovation hub … are earmarked for the innovation," Merritt said. She added the district is working with legal counsel to draft an MOU so the agreement is not tied to individual officeholders and survives leadership turnover.

The first reading was presented under board policy 7250 (naming new district facilities). Merritt said the board will be asked to take action on the agreement at a March meeting after the two‑month review period the policy requires.

Students on the board’s Student Voice in Action committee praised the history of the district’s partnership with Community Financial and expressed excitement about the Innovation Hub’s potential. "It had me thinking, like, oh my god," one student said when he learned of the change from Community Financial to ORSAA.

Merritt and ORSAA leaders said they intend to plan a spring ribbon‑cutting and finalize signage and program details after the contract is completed.

Next steps: the board will receive the full agreement and supporting documents in advance of a March vote; Merritt said legal and financial diligence is ongoing.