CFSD Upcoming Events:
August 26Building Tour, 6:00pm,
Bolich Middle School
Sept. 2Building Tour, 6:00pm,
Cuyahoga Falls High School
Sept. 16Building Tour, 6:00pm,
Roberts Middle School
RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS
A Special Section Dedicated to Black Tiger Headlines & Achievements
Need more info? Check out cfalls.org
August 2015
You Should Know:
Facilities Master Plan and Bond Issue Facts
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electrical systems, and out-of-date security.
Original 1922 High School building – still in use.
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outdated, inefficient, and hinder student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
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.
Ron Redd: The Voice of Cuyahoga Falls Black Tiger Athletics Bleeds Black & Gold
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 in action, announcing one of his many football
games for the 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!
As Dustin Harris Takes Over as Director of the
Tiger Marching Band and Honors the Tradition
Ohio School Facilities
Commission Approves
$22 Million in School
Construction Funding
The Beat Goes On!
Earlier 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
The 2015 Black Tiger Marching Band Staff from left to right:
Alexa Thomas, Majorette Advisor, Dustin Harris, Director
and Courtney Lambert, Assistant Director
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!
The 2015 Tiger Marching Band.
Check out www.cfbands.com!
Welcome Back!
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
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.
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!