Cuyahoga Falls ready to move ahead on new campus for grades 6-12
The Cuyahoga Falls City Schools will host a groundbreaking this month for a new school, the first time this has happened in the district since the late 1960s.
Cuyahoga Falls City Council's Tuesday night approval for the school, which will be used for the district's sixth- through 12th-graders, was the final step needed before construction begins.
"“We are thankful to City Council and Mayor [Don] Walters for their unanimous support of our project," said Anthony Gomez, school board president. "We look forward to beginning construction and truly building our future together!”
In addition, the school board on Wednesday night approved a $7.3 million contract with Hammond Construction Inc. to oversee the project.
Previous steps:New Cuyahoga Falls school for sixth through 12th grade a step closer to construction
New leadership:New Woodridge principal eager to experience next-level energy of high school atmosphere
The groundbreaking will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Laybourne Track and Field, 2630 13th St. Complimentary hot dogs, chips and water; activities will include a "Hollywood Squares"-style game show, student performances and fireworks.
A shuttle bus that will run from the Cuyahoga Falls High School parking lot to Laybourne Field from 6:30 to 7 p.m., and after the fireworks.
DeWitt Elementary School, at 425 Falls Ave., which was built in 1969, is the newest school building in the district, said Christine Stewart, coordinator of communications for the district. There also were additions made to the high school around that time, she said.
The new 365,000-square-foot school facility will be constructed where Bolich Middle and Newberry Elementary schools are now.
Most high school classes will take place in a separate section of the building from middle school academics, but the plan calls for some shared spaces including an auditorium, music/art area, cafeteria and athletics.
The estimated cost for the building construction and demolition of Bolich and Newberry is about $113 million. About $80.6 million comes from a local bond issue passed by district voters in fall 2019, and $33.6 million comes from the state.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Falls gives final approval to build new school campus
