Cuyahoga Falls to open new 6–12 campus in January; board briefed on move plan, ribbon-cutting and stadium naming

Cuyahoga Falls City School District officials told the board on June 25 they expect students to begin classes in the new combined 6–12 campus in early January and outlined a staged move-in plan for staff, students and the public.

Superintendent Dr. Celico said the district expects to take ownership of the new campus by Nov. 26, hold a ribbon-cutting and public preview in early December and complete staged staff and student moves over winter break and the first week of the January term. The board was also told Lambert Buick has committed $250,000 over 10 years for stadium naming rights.

The timeline given to the board calls for a middle-school open house on Jan. 6, followed by middle-school students’ first day on Jan. 7. The district will schedule a high-school open house and stagger the high‑school students’ first attendance so that, by the end of that first week, all secondary students will be in the new building. Teachers will be allowed to begin moving personal items into classrooms in December; the district’s hired moving company will handle the bulk move over winter break.

District staff said they have selected a moving company that the Ohio Schools Council and other districts have used, are completing technology equipment orders and will not transfer existing classroom furniture to the new campus (unsold furniture will go to an online auction). The construction manager and architect — identified as Hammond and TDA in the meeting — continue finishing punch-list and systems work.

Parking, traffic flow and temporary impacts: Board members and staff repeatedly flagged parking constraints during the first semester because the Bullock building and its lot will remain in place while the district begins abatement; Bullock demolition and site work will follow the campus opening. Superintendent Celico said parents should expect adjustments to drop-off and pick-up plans and that some stadium lots will be used for parking and require students to walk up a hill to campus. “It’s going to be tight,” one board member said; the superintendent and operations staff said they will monitor traffic and make adjustments.

Public events and community outreach: The district plans a public ribbon-cutting and a series of building tours and student field trips before the campus opens to help manage family concerns and give students a look at the new facility. Communications staff have produced a 12-part video series and are updating the district website and newsletters to keep families informed.

Stadium naming and fundraising: Dr. Celico announced an approved stadium sponsorship: Lambert Buick will provide $250,000 over 10 years for naming rights to the district’s stadium, to be announced with a press event; additional smaller advertising and sponsorship packages are being developed for athletics as a recurring revenue source.

Logistics and next steps: The district expects the movers to coordinate directly with staff about room-by-room packing. Staff have been told on detailed timelines for packing and for professional-development and team-building work needed to combine the middle schools. Auction schedules, technology installs, safety and accessibility checks and emergency-response planning are in progress. The board will receive continued updates as work shifts from construction completion to operational move-in tasks.