Strasburg district moves forward with vision for the future
The new multipurpose facility is expected to be completed by August 2024. It is located on the west side of the high school and will be attached by a walkway into the school.
Strasburg Superintendent Vince Lindsay outlined the State of the District Community Conversation held Thursday, Feb. 9 in the middle/elementary school gym and the vision for the future.
Lindsay informed the large crowd about the Tiger Way and what will happen as the district moves forward.
“The Strasburg-Franklin Local School District mission statement is committed to developing successful students who value academic excellence and are prepared to contribute positively to society, and the vision is the district will foster pride in all we do, along with personal responsibility in developing excellence,” Lindsay said.
The Tiger Way vision includes communication/collaboration, high expectations and safety/resources.
Lindsay focused on academics, arts, athletics, the new multipurpose facility and vision into the future with a one-campus complex.
Student Savannah Powell, a sophomore, spoke about the celebration, and Sidney Sibila, a senior; Amelia Spidell, a junior; and Jake Ryan, a senior, spoke about student leadership.
“Our district met more indicators on the Ohio state test than any other school in Tuscarawas County. Students have the opportunity to attend Kent State University Tusc campus for College Credit Plus and Buckeye Career Center to learn career-technical education skills. The students are involved in the National Honor Society, speech and debate, and student groups,” Lindsay said.
The arts consist of the band show, grand events held at the school for grandparents and students, the art showcase, and the school play, and Hope Haney, art teacher, and Joshua Loar, band and choir director, are working together to offer arts to the students.
Gary Spinell, dean of students and athletic director, spoke about the athletics that are offered through the district: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, swimming, track and volleyball.
The new multipurpose facility is expected to be completed by August 2024. It is located on the west side of the high school and will be attached by a walkway into the school.
Lindsay said it will allow all students to utilize the facility to promote educational wellness, more space for extracurricular activities and youth events to take place during reasonable times, and community members to utilize the facility and to ensure safety, security and fiscal responsibility at all times. The facility features a gym, two-lane walking track, storage, weight room, restrooms, basketball and volleyball courts, and a mechanical room.
Plans are to establish a Little Tiger Preschool in the fall, career-technical education in the middle school, meet all indicators on the Ohio school test, increase student academic groups, celebrate and promote the students, and enroll, employ and enlist. A discussion was held about the possibility of building an auditorium.
Lindsey said a one campus, one community approach could become a reality across Tiger Drive, located behind the school-owned land. It would include an outdoor athletic complex, a football field, baseball and softball fields, a running track, arts and band, a walking track, youth sports, and a community center. Currently, the sports facilities are located in Franklin Park.
District treasurer Trevor Gummere gave an outline for the future.
“We have three options: a new bond issue, privately funded or review the current bond issue (no new taxes) when the bond issue is paid for the current school,” Gummere said. "The current bond issue will expire in about five years."
He said a survey will be placed on the school’s website.
The current board of education members are Kevin Harvey, president; Stacy Bitikofer, vice president; Diana Flickinger; Marsha Clark; and Wes Hostetler.