School Board Plans New Kid’s Building Without a Voter Vote

A Community-Focused Vision

On April 7 at 4 p.m., the Ravenna School Board will convene at the board office on East Summit Street to unveil a bold plan for a new elementary school—without a tax increase. The meeting will feature an architect’s presentation detailing a design funded largely by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), which has agreed to cover 76% of the cost.

The proposed school would serve students in kindergarten through sixth grade, simplifying the district’s current fragmented layout.

A Unified Campus or a New Location?

Current Challenges

Today, elementary students are spread across two schools:

• Willyard Elementary: Kindergarten through second grade
• Brown Elementary: Third and fourth grade (as of next year)

Seventh and eighth graders are already part of Ravenna High School (grades 7-12).

The Two Potential Sites

1. High School Campus
   • Involves a land swap for the soon-to-close West Main Elementary School
   • 11-acre parcel on North Chestnut Street (adjacent to the courthouse) could be used if needed
   • Potential Benefits: Unified campus for all elementary students
   • Complications: Wetlands and existing fields may limit construction options

2. Behind Willyard Elementary
   • State findings show renovating Willyard would cost more than building anew
   • 12-acre undeveloped lot with room for playgrounds and parking

Funding, Land Swaps, and Political Hurdles

A Balanced Budget Approach

• The district has $1.8 million from recent school sales—ready to cover the 24% local funding match
• Avoids a costly voter referendum, streamlining approval
• Older schools (some 50-70 years old) drive up maintenance costs, making a new build more efficient

Land Negotiations

• Portage County Commissioners discussed trading West Main Elementary for the North Chestnut Street parcel
• Commissioner Mike Tinlin supports exploring a sale
• Commissioner Sabrina Christian-Bennett suggested helping the district acquire the land

Next Steps

• Deadline: OFCC approval requires a plan submission by April 15
• Expected OFCC Decision: July
• Timeline: If approved, the district has 16 months to secure funding

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A Futures of Efficiency… or Delays?

While the proposal promises long-term savings, success depends on local politics, land availability, and coordination with county officials. The April 7 meeting will reveal whether Ravenna moves forward—or faces another round of debates.