New Cuyahoga Falls school for sixth through 12th grade a step closer to construction

April Helms, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
This conceptual rendering shows a potential vision for the entrance to the new grades 6-12 building from 13th Street in Cuyahoga Falls. The new middle and high school structure is expected to be 365,000 square feet. More detailed designs are being worked on for the project.
This conceptual rendering shows a potential vision for the entrance to the new grades 6-12 building from 13th Street in Cuyahoga Falls. The new middle and high school structure is expected to be 365,000 square feet. More detailed designs are being worked on for the project.

A proposed new school building for the Cuyahoga Falls City School district's sixth through 12th grade students is closer to becoming a reality.

The city's planning commission unanimously approved Aug. 9 the plans for the school, which would be constructed where Bolich Middle and Newberry Elementary schools are now. The district is planning to build a 365,000-square-foot building with a performing arts center and new multi-use athletic stadium. The estimated cost for the building construction and the demolition of Bolich and Newberry is about $113 million, with $80.6 million coming from a local bond issue passed by district voters in fall 2019, and for $33.6 million coming from the state.

"The board is grateful to the planning commission for their thoughtful consideration of and unanimous vote for the plans for our sixth through 12 campus," said Dr. Andrea Celico, the district's new superintendent. "We are encouraged by the positive momentum building in the community as our plan reaches its final phase-construction! We look forward to sharing details about a groundbreaking celebration as well as a large-scale community engagement meeting soon.”

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Ron Kurtz from the city's planning and zoning department said the issue still needs approval from City Council. On Aug. 29, the issue will be brought before Council and discussed. The soonest members could take action on the proposal would be Sept. 6.

City Council meets the first through fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Natatorium, 234 Fourth St.

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If City Council gives its approval, Board President Anthony Gomez said some early site work, including demolishing the former Newberry Elementary School, could start next month — with construction starting in the spring.

On the Cuyahoga Falls schools Facebook page, the district posted that Laybourne track and field will be closed starting Sept. 1 in preparation for the construction.

Officials still hope to open the building during the 2025-26 school year. Gomez said the district should be able to give community members a more exact opening date this spring.

Reporter Shannon Coan contributed to this story. April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New Cuyahoga Falls school one step closer to reality