You Should Know:

Facilities Master Plan and Bond Issue Facts

Ron Redd in action, announcing one of his many football games for the Black Tigers.

For nearly two decades, Ron Redd has been the voice of Cuyahoga Falls Athletics. What started back in 1997 as a temporary gig, announcing five football games, has become a permanent job, announcing more than 200 games over his career.

“Being an announcer in my hometown is an honor and a privilege and working in this field has been my lifelong ambition”, says Redd. “As a young child, I would listen to announcers on my transistor radio and then pretend I was behind the mic, using branches from his dad’s favorite tree!” Attending his first CFHS football game in the sixth grade, he heard the announcer and knew what he wanted to do.

Born in Akron, Redd moved to Cuyahoga Falls when he was two-years old. He attended Price, Sill and Cuyahoga Falls High School. After graduation, he completed a Radio and Television Associate’s Degree at The University of Akron. His first announcing job was on the radio on WRHA at the U of A. That two-hour show gave him great experience and training and eventually

led to other opportunities. Some of which include an oldies radio show, The Ohio State University, and most recently, fulfilling his passion of announcing baseball games for the minor league Lake Erie Crushers. Redd hopes to one day realize his ultimate dream of working with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field!

While announcing is his first love, Redd doesn’t spend all of his working hours behind a microphone. Over the last 12 years, he has dedicated much of his time to a career as an assistant in the Special Education Department working with students who have autism, learning disabilities, or behavioral issues. Additionally, Redd works as a job coach with special needs kids in other communities. This devotion he has to the students is heartfelt and he is proud of the impact he has had on their lives. Being a positive role model to students, helping kids transition into mainstream classrooms, and finally seeing them cross the stage at graduation are only a few of the highlights he has experienced in his role. Over the years, he has applied “the two Ps”– passion and patience – to each child.

A spirit of gratitude and humility is evident. “I sincerely appreciate the opportunities provided to me over the years.” says Redd. “I truly feel that you are only as good as the people around you”. Therefore, he readily gives credit to his parents, who shaped his character, all of the staff members and coworkers who have supported him through their hard work, and the students, parents and community members who have offered kind words throughout his career.

Redd will retire from education in 2017, but hopes to continue as the voice of Black Tiger Athletics.

Ron Redd: The Voice of Cuyahoga Falls Black Tiger Athletics Bleeds Black & Gold

Since last November, the Building Our Future Together committee studied our schools to recommend a facility master plan to the Board of Education – which the Board approved unanimously.

Why? Our buildings are an average of 70+ years old. The committee learned that our schools are outdated, inefficient, and hinder student learning. None of our schools meet even the minimum state building standards outlined in the ‘Ohio School Design Manual’. Temporary

fixes and repairs simply drain money from our classrooms. Our students need safe, educationally productive learning environments – not leaking roofs, inadequate heating and cooling, ancient electrical systems, and out-of-date security.

The Plan? The committee recommended a two-phase plan. Phase 1 would construct a new 7-12 secondary education campus on the Bolich/Newberry site. This includes both a new 9-12 building and a new 7-8 building. The new facilities would be physically linked, to reduce ongoing operational costs, but remain separate buildings to ensure age-appropriate divisions.

Renovation? After expert assessments and reviews of our buildings, the committee learned that the estimated cost just to renovate our schools up to state standards would be roughly 95% of the cost to construct brand new, educationally effective schools. The OSFC recommends building new facilities if the cost of renovation is over 66% the cost to build new.

These technical assessments are on our website under the “Facilities Master Plan” tab.

Design? Designing the new buildings will take roughly one year. In the design phase, the architects will be guided heavily through community feedback and research. This will only begin after voters approve the November bond issue.

Phase 2? The second phase calls for three new PK-3rd buildings and two new 4th-6th buildings, locations not yet determined. This at least 3-4 years down the road, and would only happen after we successfully complete Phase 1.

Cost? On November 3rd, Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake voters will see a 5.98 mill bond issue on their ballots. The bond raises about 73% of construction costs ($60 million) and costs roughly $209 annually per $100,000 of property value. The remaining 27% ($22 million) will be paid by the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC). One mill is dedicated to ongoing maintenance.

Original 1922 High School building – still in use.

There’s never been a better time to become involved in your local schools. Go to cfalls.org and learn how you can help. Go Black Tigers!

A Special Section Dedicated to Black Tiger Headlines & Achievements August 2015

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS

CFSD Upcoming Events:August 26 Building Tour, 6:00pm,

Bolich Middle SchoolSept. 2 Building Tour, 6:00pm,

Cuyahoga Falls High SchoolSept. 16 Building Tour, 6:00pm,

Roberts Middle School

Need more info? Check out cfalls.org

Ohio School Facilities Commission Approves $22 Million in School Construction FundingEarlier this year, Dustin Harris was promoted to

Director of the Tiger Marching Band. Harris, who has been with our band program for 14 years, will be accompanied by Courtney Lambert as the Assistant Director. Lambert has worked with CFHS for seven years.

Harris foresees a smooth transition for himself and Lambert because they will continue to honor the marching band’s traditions. “We want to create a balance of what has worked in the past while developing ideas for future growth.”, says Harris.

Last year, band was offered every day to sixth graders. “The ability to work with our middle school band instructors allows us, as a district, to develop and maintain the strong, long-standing traditions that have been here in Cuyahoga Falls.”, says Harris. Harris along with Lambert will continue working with middle school band directors, Jim Lang (Roberts) and Amy Bertleff (Bolich), to help develop the talented students in their schools.

There is a wealth of talent in our district. The high school band directors, Harris, Lambert and Jen

Culver work closely with our middle school band directors Lang and Bertleff to ensure that the students enrolled in the band program are getting the best possible instruction. Working together as a team is vital to build and maintain a strong program that produces not only excellent musicians, but students that exhibit great leadership qualities as well as a strong work ethic.

The Falls band program dates back to the early 1920’s. As of today there are 245 students enrolled in the high school band program. The Tiger Band is an auditioned group that has a membership of 175. The band students that do not participate in marching band continue to play in our Fall Concert Band.

The Instrumental Music Patrons as well as the Alumni Band offer an incredible amount of support and funding for the band program here in the Falls. The directors are extremely appreciative of the continued support that these groups offer. “We could not do it without them”.

A Tradition of Pride and Excellence will continue with a team like this!

Check out www.cfbands.com!

The 2015 Black Tiger Marching Band Staff from left to right: Alexa Thomas, Majorette Advisor, Dustin Harris, Director and Courtney Lambert, Assistant Director

The 2015 Tiger Marching Band.

As Dustin Harris Takes Over as Director of the Tiger Marching Band and Honors the Tradition

The Beat Goes On!

Welcome Back!

This summer, the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) approved over $22 million in funding for the district to upgrade our school buildings. This funding is available through the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP), and covers 27% of the estimated costs. However, it is only provided if local residents approve a bond issue this to fund the local share of the Facilities Master Plan.

The plan, recommended by community members on the Building Our Future Together committee and approved unanimously by the Board of Education, aims to bring district facilities up to minimum state standards.

“Awarding us the money is really the last hurdle before we come to the voters,” said Superintendent Dr. Todd Nichols. “It guarantees us that the state is willing to enter into a partnership with us for new facilities where they are paying 27 percent and we’re paying 73 percent. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right!”

Due to the conditions of the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program, the community has about one year to pass a bond issue to fund the local share. As a result, the Board of Education has placed the 5.98 mill bond issue on the November 3rd ballot, which will cost about $209 per $100,000 of property value annually.

Please follow us for all the information needed to make an informed decision at cfalls.org, Twitter or Facebook.

To our returning and new students, we would like to welcome you to what is sure to be an exciting 2015-16 school year!

Because of the programming and the opportunities we provide for our students, enrollment appears to be higher than it has been in several years. Students want to come to Cuyahoga Falls!

Our K-3 Literacy program earned one of only 27 ‘A’ grades in Ohio from the Ohio Department of Education. At our middle schools, our students have the opportunity to earn at least six high school credits; a program that continues to grow. Our high school program offers more than 30 courses through which students can earn college credits! Two programs of special note are Criminal Justice and Advanced Manufacturing. The Criminal Justice program is aligned with Six-District Compact, the City of Cuyahoga Falls and the University of Akron. The Advanced Manufacturing program is aligned with the University of Akron and SGS Tools. These are two examples of the ways we create opportunities for our students to personalize their education.

In terms of personalization, the Den structure enters its second full year of

implementation. Through this program students have the opportunity to learn through a lens that interests them. Whether they have an engineering bend, health interests, want to serve the public, or are crazy about the arts, we have a Den and business partnerships for them. In Cuyahoga Falls we are truly innovative in our approach to education and students can’t wait to enroll!

Athletically, we are looking forward to our transition to the Suburban League. The competition will be no less a challenge, however, the proximity is much more appropriate. With a maximum trip of 21 miles in league competition at the varsity level and ten miles at the middle school level, our students will spend less time on the road and more time with families.

Lastly, we are excited about the possibility of new buildings in our community. With the help of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, who are funding 27% of the cost, we have the opportunity to commence the largest economic development project in the history of Cuyahoga Falls! The issue will be put before the voters in November. Please follow us for all the information needed to make an informed decision at cfalls.org, Twitter or Facebook. See the ‘Upcoming Events’ for dates and times of building tours.

Have a great year and GO BLACK TIGERS!

There’s never been a better time to become involved in your local schools. Go to cfalls.org and learn how you can help. Go Black Tigers!