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Volume 52, No. 2
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
BOEs Seek Public Input on Properties By Diane Ryder editor@geaugamapleleaf.com Newbury and West Geauga school district officials — faced with decisions about what will happen to Newbury’s three main buildings, stadium and fields after July 1 — are asking the public to weigh in with possible uses for the school campus. The two boards of education met virtually May 28 to launch a community survey seeking public input. Newbury Schools will merge with West Geauga Schools on July 1, leaving their current campus vacant. Dione DeMitro, of Euclid-based Burges and Burges strategists, moderated the hour-long meeting, passing along questions submitted by the public for school officials. Following the question and answer
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A total of 73 residents had responded as of May 29 to an online survey, which closed at midnight June 2, asking for their input on what should be done with the Newbury Schools properties once the district merges with West Geauga Schools in July.
portion, she discussed the survey and some of the ideas already submitted. The West Geauga Schools Board of Education will make the final decision about the property’s future.
Chester BLM Rally Draws Crowd
West G board President Bill Beers assured the public the decision will be based on several criteria, including legality, zoning, economics, educational impact, financial stability and aesthetics.
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See Property • Page 8
Celebrate of the birth of the nation July 4 by enjoying an Independence Day parade in Chester Township. Geauga Cares4You is the parade organizer. To participate in the parade, please send an email to CHESTERPARADE@ GMAIL.COM. The public is invited to observe the parade along state Route 306 from West Geauga High School to Guido’s restaurant parking lot starting at 10 a.m. Following the parade, all citizens are invited to Chesterland Parkside to enjoy a celebration of liberty and freedom.
Newbury Trustees See Potential Opportunity in School Property By Diane Ryder editor@geaugamapleleaf.com
A group of Black Lives Matter protesters gathered at the corner of Mayfield Road and state Route 306 in Chester Township June 7.
Newbury board President Maggie Zock said section 3313.41 of the Ohio Revised Code is very specific on the options open to West G officials regarding the disposition of
Independence Day Parade
Newbury Township Trustees might be interested in obtaining at least portions of the township’s school property when the district transfers to West Geauga Schools on July 1. Trustees held a virtual meeting May 29 with Newbury and West Geauga Schools boards of education members and school officials. Facilitator Dione DeMitro, of consultant firm Burges and Burges, recapped for the township officials the discussion held during a May 28 joint school board meeting and shared the preliminary findings of a community survey that is soliciting ideas for the future of the school campus. Guided by Ohio Revised Code
requirements, the West Geauga board will ultimately decide whether to keep the property, “mothball” it, negotiate with a local government entity, such as township trustees, for sale of the property or sell the seven separate parcels at public auction. West Geauga school board President Bill Beers made it clear last Thursday the board has no intention of abandoning the property and demolishing the buildings would cost more than the combined parcels $700,000 market value. DeMitro said 73 residents responded by May 29 to the online survey, which closed at midnight June 2. Thirty-one percent of respondents at that time indicated the township should take over the See Trustees • Page 7
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