We are pleased to update you on the progress of the Tiger Legacy Project, our initiative to improve the facilities within the Twinsburg City School District. The Tiger Legacy Project began in 2016 with the development of the TCSD Comprehensive Strategic Plan. After an initial facilities assessment, we finalized the Strategic Plan in 2018. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced us to pause community engagement efforts and shift our focus to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff members during that international health crisis. By 2021, the Board of Education identified facilities planning as a primary focus, leading to community re-engagement and renaming the project to the Tiger Legacy Project in 2022. Last year, we achieved a significant milestone with the passage of an operating levy, ensuring necessary funding to support the daily operations of our schools.
Now, with rising labor and resource costs, it is crucial to discuss addressing our facilities' needs. In 2024, our Board of Education reviewed a comprehensive report from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) regarding the state of our school buildings. The findings were significant: four (4) out of our five (5) schools, excluding Twinsburg High School, have reached a point where necessary renovations are approaching or exceeding 66% of the costs to build new facilities. According to the "2/3rds Rule," constructing new facilities may be more beneficial than continuing with costly repairs.
Additionally, our athletic facilities need urgent attention. The track at Tiger Stadium required emergency repairs this spring, and further upgrades are necessary to maintain safety standards for student athletics and community events. The turf at Tiger Stadium is also nearing the end of its lifespan and is due for replacement.
We are committed to transparency and community involvement. As we advance with these plans, we will continue to gather feedback and ensure that our actions align with the community’s wishes for our schools.
Tiger Legacy Project Roadmap
Tiger Legacy Project Frequently Asked Questions
September 2024
The District is compiling a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) based on the questions we have received from stakeholders. We will continue to add to this list as necessary. In addition, please feel free to submit questions to Superintendent Kathi Powers at:
[email protected].
What is the Tiger Legacy Project?
The Tiger Legacy Project is an initiative to improve the facilities within the Twinsburg City School District. It began in 2016 with the development of the TCSD Comprehensive Strategic Plan. Action Teams comprised of a cross-section of community stakeholders gathered to develop the Strategic Plan. The stakeholders comprised both internal and external audiences and focused on creating a plan that would move the District forward in the years to come.
From that work, the Conceptual Legacy Project was created.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 paused community engagement efforts, the Board of Education identified facilities planning as a primary focus in 2021. This led to community re-engagement and the renaming of the project to the Tiger Legacy Project in 2022.
Why is the District revisiting the building project now?
The Board of Education reviewed a comprehensive report from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) in 2024, revealing that four (4) out of five (5) schools, excluding Twinsburg High School, have renovation costs nearing or exceeding 66% of the costs to build new facilities. According to the "2/3rds Rule," constructing new facilities may be more practical than continuing with costly repairs. Additionally, rising labor and material costs and urgent needs for athletic facility upgrades have made it crucial to address our facilities' needs now.
What are the key projects in the Tiger Legacy Project?
The key projects include:
- New PK-6 Elementary School: This new facility will consolidate and modernize our elementary education environment, providing state-of-the-art resources for our youngest learners.
- Relocating Tiger Stadium to the Twinsburg High School Campus: Moving Tiger Stadium will centralize our athletic facilities, making them more accessible for students and the community.
- Moving Athletic Fields to the Dodge Property: This relocation will optimize space and improve the overall functionality of our athletic programs.
When did each of the schools in our District open, when were additions added, what is each school’s square footage, and how much property is included in each of the campuses?
Wilcox:
Building date(s): 1960, 1991 & 1999
Building square footage: 84,395
Site Acreage: 10.25
Bissell:
Building date(s): 1964, 1992, 1997 & 1999
Building square footage: 72,717
Site Acreage: 20
Dodge:
Building date(s): 1970, 1979 & 1994
Building square footage: 125,458
Site Acreage: 28.51
RBC:
Building date(s): 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1986, 1989, 1992 & 1999
Building square footage: 123,466
Site Acreage: 39.21
THS:
Building date(s): 1999
Building square footage: 354,502
Site Acreage: 56.8
What if the District did nothing?
There is no “zero cost” option. Continuing to patch and repair aging schools could impact the funds available for classroom needs. The comprehensive report from the OFCC highlighted the significant costs of maintaining current facilities versus the benefits of new construction.
Why do we need to move Tiger Stadium?
Relocating Tiger Stadium to the campus at Twinsburg High School is necessary to make room available for the construction of the new elementary school. Relocating Tiger Stadium to the high school campus will also centralize our athletic facilities, making them more accessible for students and the community. This move will also optimize space and improve the functionality of our athletic programs.
How much input will educators have in the needs of students regarding the building?
Staff members will be engaged in the design process to ensure the new facilities effectively meet the needs of students.
Do you have all the land needed for this project?
Yes, the Board of Education currently owns the necessary land for the planned facilities improvements.
What is the timeline for construction of the Tiger Legacy Project?
Once the Board of Education finalizes the scope of the project and necessary funding is secured, detailed plans and timelines will be developed. Construction timelines will depend on the availability of materials and labor.
Cost Scenarios for the Tiger Legacy Project:
Scenario #1: New Grade 4 – 6 Building Option (Replaces Dodge)
(Estimated Costs)
* New 4-6 Intermediate School = $47,187,263
* Abate/Demolish Dodge = $944,699
Relocate Stadium = $ 16,000,000
Relocate Girls’ Softball Field with Bleachers and Lights = $ 572,000
Relocate 9th Grade Baseball Field to Dodge = $325,000
Relocate Practice Soccer Field at Dodge = $150,000
Build Soccer Stadium at Dodge = $500,000
Varsity Boys’ Baseball Field Upgrades = $300,000
Repair/Replace Playgrounds = $ 1,700,000
District-wide Paving Repair/Replacement = $ 2,500,000
District-wide Roofing Repair/Replacement = $ 8,500,000
Grand Total = $ 78,678,962 / Previous: $ 71,700,000 (2023)
- = Eligible for co-funding by the OFCC at 17%
Anticipated OFCC Contribution = $8,182,434
Scenario #:2 New PK-6 Building Option (Replaces Wilcox, Bissell & Dodge)
(Estimated Costs)
* New PK-6 School: $85,803,142
* Abatement/Demolition of Facilities: $1,750,000
Relocate Stadium: $16,000,000
Relocate Girls’ Softball Field with Bleachers and Lights: $572,000
Relocate 9th Grade Baseball Field to Dodge: $325,000
Relocate Practice Soccer Field at Dodge: $150,000
Build Soccer Stadium at Dodge: $500,000
Varsity Boys’ Baseball Field Upgrades: $300,000
Grand Total = $105,400,142
- = Eligible for co-funding by the OFCC at 17%
Anticipated OFCC Contribution: $14,884,034
What is the estimated cost savings of Option 2 over Option 1?
Option 1: Build 4-6 and Renovate Wilcox & Bissell |
|
| Build New | Renovate | Total Cost | OFCC Credit | Total scenario cost |
Dodge 4-6 | $47,187,263 |
| $47,187,263 | $8,021,835 | $39,165,428 |
Demolition of Dodge | $944,699 |
| $944,699 | $160,599 | $784,100 |
Wilcox PK-1 |
| $31,222,852 | $31,222,852 | $0 | $31,222,852 |
Bissell 2-3 |
| $23,464,850 | $23,464,850 | $0 | $23,464,850 |
TOTAL COST | $48,131,962 | $54,687,702 | $102,819,664 | $8,182,434 | $94,637,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option2: Build PK-6 |
|
New PK-6 School | $85,803,142 |
| $85,803,142 | $14,586,534 | $71,216,609 |
Demolition of 3 buildings | $1,750,000 |
| $1,750,000 | $297,500 | $1,452,500 |
TOTAL COST | $87,553,142 |
| $87,553,142 | $14,884,034 | $72,669,108 |
Estimated cost savings of Option 2 over Option 1 | $21,968,122 |
Following the passage of two (2) Twinsburg Board of Education resolutions in Summer 2024, the associated costs for the Tiger Legacy Project include:
- $107,000,000.00 Bond
- 4.27 mills = $149 per year per $100,000.00 per Summit County Fiscal Officer’s appraised value
- These estimates are based on a maximum term of 36 years with an estimated interest rate of 5%.
How did the cost of this project and the bond arrive at $107,000,000.00?
- Estimated cost of a new Preschool – 6th grade elementary school & demolition of three (3) schools = $87,553,142.00
- Estimated cost of relocation of athletic fields = $17,847,000.00
- Consideration for inflation = $1,599,858.00 (1.5% of total project cost)
What is the ballot number and the ballot language for the November 5th Election Day?
The ballot number is 33.
33.TWINSBURG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT – Proposed Bond Issue –
Shall bonds be issued by the Twinsburg City School District for the purpose of
constructing, furnishing, equipping and otherwise improving school district buildings and
facilities and clearing, improving and equipping their sites in the principal amount of
$107,000,000, to be repaid annually over a maximum period of 36 years, and an annual
levy of property taxes be made outside of the ten-mill limitation, estimated by the county
fiscal officer to average over the repayment period of the bond issue 4.27 mills for each $1
of taxable value, which amounts to $149 for each $100,000 of the county fiscal officer’s
appraised value, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025, to pay the annual
debt charges on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of
those bonds?
Can you provide some examples of what a homeowner would be expected to pay for this project?
Below are a few examples, based upon information from the Summit County website:
---------------------------------------------
A 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo in Ridge Meadows in the City of Twinsburg:
Selling price in May 2024 = $165,000
Appraised value =
$126,970
Estimated Bond cost =
$189.19/year
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A 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house in Twinsburg Township:
Selling price in April 2024 = $215,000
Appraised value =
$143,580
Estimated Bond cost = $213.94/year
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A 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom house in Aurora Shores in the City of Reminderville:
Selling price in May 2024 = $345,000
Appraised value =
$277,170
Estimated Bond cost =
$412.99/year
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Can you tell me more about the 17% co-funded amount from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission? (OFCC)
- 17% co-funded portion of the project is applicable only toward building new academic square footage and abating and demolishing old square footage.
- The renovation and relocation of athletic fields is not funded by the OFCC.
- Funding of OFCC projects is dependent upon an equity rating system calculated by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and funded by the General Assembly.
- The equity rating system is based upon the “wealth” of a school community. The Twinsburg City School District is considered a “wealthy” community due to the overall tax valuation of the City of Twinsburg, the City of Reminderville, and Twinsburg Township which is estimated to be over $1 billion.
- Receipt of co-funding from the OFCC will not occur until a date determined by the OFCC, and begins tracking upon the passage of a bond for the project.
How would the timing of this project work?
In order to make space available to construct the new elementary school, Tiger Stadium would be relocated to the campus of Twinsburg High School, in the area currently occupied by the boys’ soccer practice field and the 9th grade baseball field. The boys’ soccer practice field as well as the 9th grade baseball field would be relocated to the Dodge campus, once George G. Dodge Intermediate School is removed. In the meantime, the boys’ soccer team will share the girls’ soccer practice field and the 9th grade baseball team will use the varsity baseball field.
Once Tiger Stadium is relocated, the construction of the elementary school will begin. The girls’ softball field will be relocated to the Dodge campus, once George G. Dodge Intermediate School is removed. In the meantime, the girls’ softball teams will share the field located on the front of the RB Chamberlin Middle School campus.
Once students are welcomed into the new elementary school, George G. Dodge Intermediate School would be removed, making way for the relocation of a new 9th grade baseball field, a new girls’ softball field with lights, a new soccer stadium with lights and stands, a new soccer practice field which will be used for both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams, renovation of the varsity baseball field, the construction of a new restroom/locker room/concession facility, and parking.
If the Board of Education determines that the new elementary school will house students in Preschool – Grade 6, Wilcox Primary School and Samuel Bissell Elementary School will also be removed. At this time, the Board of Education is considering options for the Wilcox and Bissell properties and will continue to update the community accordingly.
Where will the students attend school during the construction of the new elementary school?
Students will remain in their current grade/building configuration until the construction of the new elementary school is completed.
Did we consider using Bissell for PreK-1 and the new facility for grades 2-8 instead? If we’re considering our youngest learners and shared resources, does it make sense for such disparity in ages?
Since the facilities assessment was initially completed in 2016 and throughout the entirety of this planning process, we have considered a variety of grade band configurations. Per the facilities assessment most recently conducted by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), it is cost prohibitive to renovate Samuel Bissell Elementary School, thus, the focus is currently on the construction of a Preschool – grade 6 elementary school.
Does the Board of Education still own property off Chamberlin Road and if so, how many acres is it?
No, the Board of Education does not own property off Chamberlin Road.
Have other locations been considered? Bissell property at Miktarian and Ravenna Roads? Lutheran Church property?
No, due to the additional costs associated with land acquisition, this project will be constructed on property currently owned by the Board of Education.
New schools attract new families to the District. How do we ensure non-residents do not enroll?
Residency is a requirement for enrollment in our District. To that end, the Superintendent monitors residency and when alerted about families who may not be residents, she convenes residency hearings during which parents are required to produce appropriate residency documents in order for their children to remain enrolled in the District.
What is the building construction type being considered? Will there be consideration for future flexibility? Has there been an analysis into future students?
The building construction type will be finalized during the design process. The OFCC’s enrollment study, as well as three (3) previous enrollment studies, indicates that the District’s enrollment will remain steady.
Will there be more than one (1) gym and more than one (1) cafeteria in the new elementary school? Also, has consideration been given to making the cafeteria and gym with movable walls to make a large space for events?
It would be appropriate for a large elementary school to have more than one (1) gym and more than one (1) cafeteria with an option for a large gathering space for events, however, these decisions will be finalized in the design process. The design process will engage many stakeholders so that the new elementary school meets the needs defined through that process.
Is there an option to create a 3-6 grade building and renovate Wilcox and Bissell with Wilcox PreK-K and Bissell grades 1 & 2?
No, as per the facilities assessment most recently conducted by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), it is cost prohibitive to renovate Wilcox Primary School and Samuel Bissell Elementary School, thus, the focus is currently on the construction of a Preschool – grade 6 elementary school.
Can we combine Dodge and RBC into one middle school for grades 5 – 8?
Currently, we do not have adequate space at RBC to add grades 5 & 6 to the school’s enrollment. Further, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s (OFCCs) findings do not support the renovation of the middle school. The District could decide to renovate RBC, however, that renovation would not receive matching funds from the OFCC.
Could you move the varsity baseball field/soccer field/etc. to the front of RBC, removing the old practice fields currently located there? This would provide a more prominent site for the varsity sports.
The fields in front of RBC are used for JV Baseball, RBC baseball, and RBC softball/JV softball.
Would there be collaboration with the City of Twinsburg to expand Ravenna Road to ease congestion if all schools move to the campus along Ravenna Road?
Yes, collaboration with the City of Twinsburg is ongoing and will be an important component of this project. A traffic study will be conducted and the results of that study will be shared with City officials so that concerns regarding congestion, etc. can be addressed.
I did not see staff designated parking in the site plan for the new elementary school. Since lack of parking is an issue at many buildings during events like Open House, is there room to increase parking in these plans.
Even though the current plan under consideration includes an elementary school that houses students in Preschool – Grade 6, the administration will collaborate to ensure that events planned for grade bands are scheduled in a thoughtful, strategic manner so that families can enjoy the events with ease of parking in mind.
At this current time, the lawn in front of RB Chamberlin Middle School is not part of this project, however, should the need arise, that area can be used for parking. Future considerations for additional parking in this area may occur.
Why isn’t the new elementary school being built on the property in front of RB Chamberlin Middle School?
It is our understanding that the lawn in front of RB Chamberlin is not stable (swamp below the lawn) and cannot sustain the construction of a large building upon it.
The Westlake example was only Preschool – Grade 4 which is different than Preschool – Grade 6 in terms of diversity of student needs.
Yes, Westlake Elementary School is a Preschool – Grade 4 school. We provided this school as an example of a school built with “houses” for grade bands. Although not an exact match, the Westlake model provides insight into what our proposed elementary school may look like with grade banded “houses”. The exact design of our new elementary school will be determined during the design process where the needs of each grade level of student, as related to this building project, will be considered.
Will all grade bands start and end at the same time? Will start and end times be staggered?
The school’s Master Schedule will be developed based upon the new “house” concept of this proposed school. Start and end times will be staggered.
Will PreK-Grade 6 students all ride the same buses?
No, it is our intention to develop the transportation routes based upon the new “house” concept of this proposed school. It would not be our intention to mix grade bands between the “houses” unless they are naturally aligned (e.g. Kindergarten and first grade).
Will lunch periods be mixed grades and different lunch times?
A Master Schedule will be developed for lunch periods and specials (Art, Music, PE). It would not be our intention to mix grade bands between the “houses” unless they are naturally aligned (e.g. grades 2 and 3).
What would the new class size be (average) with a PreK-6 building?
As enrollment studies conducted by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) and three (3) other organizations consistently indicate that the District’s enrollment will remain steady, class sizes will remain at an average of 20 – 24 students.
With the number of high school students expected to take post-secondary credit (College Credit Plus) and middle school students taking high school courses for credit, was a new upper level school every considered? COVID taught us we don’t need bricks and mortar.
No, we have not considered a new upper level school as part of the Tiger Legacy Project. We will continue to monitor the number of students who elect to take College Credit Plus courses off our high school campus. At this point, that number has not greatly impacted course offerings at Twinsburg High School. In the future, if it should, the District could determine it beneficial to move middle school students to the campus of Twinsburg High School.
Aren’t the people who live on Ashdale going to have problems with the relocation of Tiger Stadium to the high school campus?
The District will engage with the families who live on Ashdale and other surrounding areas to ensure concerns are addressed.
Would there be staff reduction due to consolidation?
No, at this time we do not project staff reduction.
How will the new stadium affect our Booster programs? Currently, there are two (2) concession stands at Tiger Stadium. Will the same be true at the relocated stadium?
Although the plans have yet to be developed for the new stadium, it would be our intention to include multiple concessions stands to serve the public and to support concessions sales by our Booster groups.
Are security considerations built into this plan?
Yes, District officials make safety and security a priority. Secure portals, Welcome Centers, security cameras and fencing, adequate egress, School Resource Officers, administrative oversight, and other proven security measures are all a part of this plan.
With the recent lightning strike at Twinsburg High School, we learned that adequate backup for the District’s phones, internet, and security functions were not available. Will generators and backups for these functions be considered in this plan?
Yes, it is important that we build back-up and redundancy into our systems. This will be a priority for this project.
I am concerned about the practice facilities at the old Dodge site being near the City’s waste treatment plant and the awful smell.
We know that the odor at the Dodge site is concerning. We also know that those who use that site for athletic events will likely do so in the early mornings and late afternoons/evenings when the odor from the waste treatment plant is less bothersome.
One year after an extreme budgeting failure that resulted in the reduction of staff, why should the District’s residents trust that the District will effectively manage a multi-million dollar project?
The development of last year’s Expenditure Reduction Plan was not the result of mismanagement of the District’s funds but rather by legislative action that reduced our funding. The biggest loss was due to the total elimination of the Tangible Personal Property (TPP) Tax/Commercial Activities Tax (CAT) which resulted in the District losing millions in annual revenue. In Ohio, House Bill 66 (HB66) was the legislation that eliminated the tax businesses pay on Tangible Personal Property (TPP). The original legislation set forth that the State of Ohio would reimburse school districts for several years the amount of lost revenues. A tax once under local/county control had been eliminated and replaced by a State collected Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). The replacement CAT tax was also eliminated. The resulting loss of millions in annual revenue caused the fiscal challenges which led to the development of the Expenditure Reduction Plan and the reduction of staff members in the Spring of 2023.
If the Board of Education determines that a bond issue will be placed on the ballot and if the community supports this project, District officials will work to ensure that the funds for the Tiger Legacy Project are well managed and that the project is fully constructed within budget.
What building requirements and cost efficiency/engineering are being considered with this project?
The new school will be LEED certified. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and LEED certification is a globally recognized rating system that recognizes buildings that are built or maintained to the highest standard of sustainability. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the system in 1998.
LEED certification can apply to all building types, including new construction, interiors, operations and maintenance, and core and shell. To achieve certification, a building must implement green building practices that address areas such as carbon, energy, water usage, waste, transportation, materials, and health and indoor environmental quality.
Through the building design process, all modern building and construction codes will be met. Once the facility is designed, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will work in partnership with the District and the architect for the duration of the project to ensure compliance.
A building can last forever if properly maintained. Why have the buildings not been better maintained over time?
Based upon the needs identified in the facilities assessment and within the annual budget constraints, the District maintains its facilities. The Permanent Improvement Fund not only supports capital projects, but also the purchase of school buses, instructional materials, and technology. Similar to your own home, the infrastructure of our buildings, continues to age. While we invest the Permanent Improvement Fund in repairs, there comes a time where we need to look at the best long-term solution. Thus, the Tiger Legacy Project has been proposed.
With $1.8 million in the Permanent Improvement Fund annually, what renovations have been done to Bissell, Wilcox, and Dodge in the last 2 – 5 years?
Building
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | TOTAL | Notes |
Wilcox Primary School
| $ 22,320.00
| $ 25,400.00
| $14,236.00
| $89,411.00
| $ 27,298.00
| $ 37,037.00
| $ 215,702.00
| Doors, HVAC, Playground equipment, Windows, PA System, Paving & Roofing
|
Samuel Bissell Elementary School | $ 73,070.00 | $ 4,000.00 | $ 15,896.00 | $90,500.00 | $ 40,218.00 | $ 10,390.00 | $234,074.00 | Doors, HVAC, Plumbing, Windows, PA System, Paving & Roofing |
George G. Dodge Intermediate School | $ 41,468.00 | $ 8,465.00 | $38,412.00 | $ 77,747.00 | $ 20,059.00 | $ 62,100.00 | $ 248,251.00 | Doors, Electrical, Flooring, HVAC, Plumbing, Windows, PA System, Paving & Roofing |
- Please note, the Permanent Improvement Fund supports capital improvements at each of our facilities as well as the purchase of new buses, instructional materials, and technology.
When will funds from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), the 17% contribution, be provided to the District?
The receipt of the OFCC’s contribution is based upon the funding level they receive from the State of Ohio. Additionally, the District’s rank on the OFCC’s District Equity List will determine the point in which the District will receive the contribution.
What will the District do with the 17% co-funded amount received from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC)?
The Twinsburg Board of Education has not determined the use of funds associated with the 17% co-funded amount, however, options may include:
1. Invest in additional capital projects including the renovation of Twinsburg High School and/or RB Chamberlin Middle School.
2. Allocate funds towards the balance of the bond
Please note, these funds cannot be used for operating expenses such as salaries and benefits.
I know the plan is to tear down Wilcox Primary School, Samuel Bissell Elementary School and George G. Dodge Intermediate School once the students and staff members are moved to the new Preschool – Grade 6 elementary school. The Dodge property becomes the home of the relocated athletic fields. What does the Board of Education plan to do with the Wilcox and Bissell properties once the schools are torn down?
The Twinsburg Board of Education is currently considering options for the Wilcox and Bissell properties and will continue to update the community accordingly.
What percent of the state’s schools are meeting the state’s building standards?
Please contact the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) for the answer to this question. Please visit the OFCC website at:
www.ofcc.ohio.gov
How many years do we have to fully meet the state’s building standards for each building? Can we operate in buildings that are out of date?
This is a locally controlled decision. In the meantime, please know that the District continues to be compliant with all health and safety codes.