Buckeye Valley board weighs joint meeting with Delaware City officials as development pushes into district

The Buckeye Valley Local Board of Education discussed whether to accept an invitation from Delaware City for a joint meeting with city council and Delaware City Schools to address growth and annexation in the district’s southern area.

One board member urged acceptance as a way to secure “a seat at the table” as the city annexes land into Delaware City, arguing the district should build working relationships before development decisions occur. “I just think it would be nice to have a seat at the table, be able to have that open dialogue with the City of Delaware,” the member said.

Opponents questioned whether a joint meeting — typically scheduled on the same night as other bodies under Sunshine Law constraints — would be an effective use of board time and asked for a clearer agenda from Delaware City before committing. The board asked the superintendent to obtain Delaware City’s proposed agenda so the board can consider the invitation at the next meeting.

Why it matters: Annexation and municipal decisions on development affect student enrollment, transportation and future facility needs. Board members framed the decision as strategic relationship building versus a possible inefficient use of meeting time under public‑meeting rules.

Next steps: The superintendent will request the inviting party’s agenda and the board will place the item on a future meeting agenda for decision; in the meantime members suggested inviting city staff or council to present at Buckeye Valley meetings as an alternative starting point.