Education and high-quality schools are a priority for Green residents, who showed their support by passing a 37-year, $68-million bond issue. It will help fund construction, additions, renovations, remodeling, furnishings, equipment and other improvements. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission will fund 25% of the projects.
The levy was a well thought-out ask based on need, not want. “Our buildings are 50-plus years old, and it was an absolute necessity that we get this levy passed,” says Jennifer Doerrer, levy campaign chairperson.
Doerrer explains that the state conducted extensive inspections of Green’s schools, and the district determined it would be more financially viable to replace than to renovate. “We respect our voters and taxpayers, and we knew inflation was on the rise and labor costs are up, along with building expenses, and the administration was adamant that we did not want to ask for any more money than we needed, and we stayed true to that promise,” she says.
What’s the Status?
So far, the district completed a series of interviews and requests for proposals and selected North Canton-based SoL Harris/Day Architecture, which is conducting small and large group exercises to gather insight. With school in session, the firm is consulting with all staff, from transportation to food service, janitorial, teachers and administrators.
“Schematics will be completed by Thanksgiving, and the design review team will be put in place in January — and we hope to break ground on June 1,” Julie McMahan, coordinator of communications, community outreach and student wellness at Green Local Schools, says.
Plans include demolishing Greenwood school, as well as the intermediate and middle schools, and replacing them with two new buildings, while Green Primary School will get an addition/renovation to house pre-kindergarten through first-grade classes. The new Greenwood elementary school will house second through fifth grades and will be situated just north of the existing building.
“It’s an exciting time, and we want to thank voters for changing the trajectory for this community,” McMahan says. “In three years, the Green schools will not look the same as they do now, and our residents have shown overwhelming support.”
