A number of Newbury Township residents pleaded with West Geauga Schools Board of Education May 9 to resume negotiations with Newbury trustees regarding the fate of the former school campus.
A number of Newbury Township residents pleaded with West Geauga Schools Board of Education May 9 to resume negotiations with Newbury trustees regarding the fate of the former school campus.
“I love the West Geauga schools. My daughter went to high school and graduated from here and I was very excited for the (Newbury Schools) transfer to take place,” said Janice Stefancik. “I spent many years volunteering at the Newbury Schools — my son graduated from there — and that is the heart of our community. And for this to just end, with nothing coming of the building or that property, breaks my heart. I’m hoping that negotiations will somehow continue and we can work this out.”
Last week, board President Kathy Leavenworth issued a letter to Newbury trustees informing them the board had decided to cease negotiations, indicating both parties could not reach an agreement on material terms and conditions and West Geauga Schools could not afford to continue maintaining the property.
Those who spoke up Monday night, however, believed a hope was not lost and emphasized the significance of the property to the community.
“The Newbury school was the center of the Newbury community, not only geographically, but also an activity center for township residents,” said Newbury resident Roger Mezak.
William Schneider, also of Newbury, shared some historical background.
“Maybe you know this, maybe you don’t — that auditorium in the middle school was donated,” Schneider said. “It was donated to the people of Newbury Township by Mrs. Frohring. She had an interest in the arts. She had an interest in the people — not just the kids, but the people overall. We always had a place to meet. We can’t even have our Memorial Day services as we used to. And if we had to build another building, I mean that would be ridiculous when we already have a nice building that was built by the people of Newbury, not just to mention Mrs. Frohring’s donations, but I can remember at the time that was built, my parents made donations.”
Some took aim at the board members’ legacy.
“I originally was going to come here and talk about how ashamed of myself I am that I was so supportive of members of the West Geauga board during this whole process, but this isn’t about me, this is about you,” said Newbury resident Fran Dittrich. “You will always be remembered as the school board that broke the promises to Newbury. You will always be remembered as people who lied because I was told right to my face that the property was coming back to Newbury. You’ll always be remembered as the school board that didn’t even honor your own timeline, and, unfortunately, the superintendent will be remembered the same way. I really think it’s not a good move for you.
“You’ll also be remembered as the school board that denied Newbury the right to make a decision,” she continued. “If we have the opportunity and you stick to your timeline, we can actually put it to a vote and then you’ll know whether Newbury can support this issue or not. I think we will. I don’t think you want to be remembered the way that you’re headed, so please reconsider.”
Other frustrations centered around the negotiation process.
“I find it totally incomprehensible how eight elected officials cannot sit down and get this done,” Mezak said. “Two years, this is ridiculous. I feel both boards — both Newbury and you folks have not made a very good effort.”
Schneider added, “Maybe if the negotiations would have been more transparent, I think that could have been worked out a long time ago.”
Leavenworth and board Vice President Ben Kotowski were not present at the meeting.
However, board member Christina Sherwood, who had been appointed as presiding officer “pro tempore” for the meeting, read a prepared statement in response to the public comments.
“The board has an anticipatory response in regards to the concerns being expressed this evening, so I’m just going to read this on behalf of all the board members,” said Sherwood.
The statement recapped the board’s decision to terminate negotiations with Newbury Township and included the following:
“Sensitive to the historical and emotional attachment of the Newbury community to the site, the West Geauga board of education heard and listened to the (Newbury) task force’s proposal to use part or all of the Newbury campus to house a community center,” said Sherwood. “Various iterations of a plan were discussed, but none provided specifics related to usage, a timeline or financial feasibility. After two years of discussion, 13 written communications, meetings, two face-to-face executive sessions with Newbury Township Trustees, and offers by the West G board, all of which were subsequently rejected by the trustees to lease the property to the township at a nominal fee of $100, the West Geauga board of education is ending the dialogue.”
The statement also cited Newbury’s responsibility for decisions regarding the property.
“If the former Newbury board of education or the Newbury Township board of trustees were committed to the establishment of a community center in the smaller school, they could have established one prior to the transfer of the property to West Geauga Schools,” said Sherwood. “Nothing would have prevented them from doing so. Instead, they waited until Newbury was part of the West Geauga school district and asked the West Geauga board of education to shoulder the corresponding costs. It is an undisputed fact that the Newbury township board of trustees lacks the unanimous decision required by law to purchase the Newbury campus for even a nominal sum. Furthermore, it does not currently possess the funds to maintain the property.
“The West Geauga board of education has exercised patience and allocated over $400,000 to continue discussions while maintaining the Newbury campus during these negotiations. It cannot do so indefinitely, nor should it be expected to. The West Geauga board of education remains committed to all of its residents. The future of the Newbury property must be one that benefits both the residents of Newbury and the students of the entire West Geauga community.”
