Cuyahoga Falls board approves 7‑year lease for central office after heated debate over Roberts property and costs

The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education on June 26 approved a seven‑year lease for a Tallmadge Road property to serve as the district's new central office, after a lengthy discussion about costs, accessibility and what to do with the district’s Roberts building.

Superintendent Dr. Selkow recommended leasing the roughly 13,000‑square‑foot property and told the board the monthly rent would be $13,707, or about $12 per square foot. She said the landlord would cover utilities, cleaning, snow removal and maintenance under the proposed agreement and would complete security, painting and carpeting before occupancy. "It is approximately a little over 13,000 square feet. The cost would be $13,707 a month," Selkow said.

Supporters said leasing would limit the district’s immediate capital outlays and provide a ready‑to‑use office while the district completes a multi‑year plan to address central‑office space as part of a bond/building sequence. One board member argued the lease term and lower initial rate seemed fiscally reasonable for an interim period while the district plans a future renovation or sale.

Opponents disputed the board’s cost comparisons between maintaining Roberts and leasing the new space. A board member said parts of the Roberts renovation estimate were exaggerated and that the lease cost was not accounted for in the district’s five‑year forecast, warning the expense could require deeper cuts to classroom budgets. "I don't agree with the cost comparisons...the cost of this lease is not in our five year forecast," the member said, adding they would vote no but would sign the approved lease as board president if the board decided to proceed.

Board members also discussed community impacts if Roberts is sold — the property sits on a quiet dead‑end street near the Silver Lake neighborhood and a small bridge used by students. The superintendent said the district’s recommendation is to sell Roberts when the time comes and to proactively engage village officials and neighbors about potential impacts.

The motion passed on a roll call with a majority of members voting to authorize the lease and one member recorded in the transcript as voting "No." The board president outlined next steps: develop a formal statement of facts for the levy process, coordinate details for the lease implementation and begin outreach about Roberts before any sale.

The board will continue to discuss where lease costs and any sale‑proceeds fit into the district forecast and budget at future work sessions.