Cloverleaf moving forward with new high school regardless of NEXUS appeal

WESTFIELD TWP. — Construction of a new Cloverleaf High School will move forward no matter the outcome of tax valuation appeals related to the NEXUS Pipeline project, Superintendent Daryl Kubilus said Tuesday. That statement comes as NEXUS Pipeline owners are attempting to reduce that tax valuation from $127 million to $44 million, the latest of multiple tries to lower payout from what was originally promised to local municipalities and school districts. Kubilus said payouts amounting to 38 percent of original expectations have already been secured by Cloverleaf Schools. He added even under a worst-case scenario where proceeds to Cloverleaf never go beyond 38 percent, the district still will build a new high school. Early estimates put construction costs at about $40 million. Public talks regarding that work have indicated using NEXUS proceeds without putting a levy or bond issue before voters. "Our project is not in jeopardy and I want to make that clear to our community," Kubilus said. "We are full steam ahead on a new high school and are looking forward with talking with our community members more about it in the near future. We have planned our high school and sports complex projects out considering this appeal at 38 percent "Then, the thinking has been that we'll look at our options after the appeal has been decided." Although a target date for opening a new high school or breaking ground has not been set, Kubilus has said the project will soon be certified by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Two community engagement sessions covering the prospective new high school project are being planned for March with exact dates to be determined, Kubius added. "The decision to put this money toward a new high school was based on a 2019 community survey," he said. "We want to keep that engagement process going as we move closer to actually making that happen. We're thinking of doing these sessions on a Thursday night and Saturday morning. We want these to be meetings where the voices of the community can hear each other's ideas and have the kinds of conversations that are needed." Medina County entities were originally promised a total of $16.6 million in NEXUS revenue with Cloverleaf set to receive about $7.44 million the first year. Buckeye Schools, Wadsworth Schools and Medina Schools would have received $2,162,000, $1,524,000 and $1,151,000, respectively. Guilford Township was expecting $876,000 in additional revenue before the appeals process began. All four Medina County school districts set to be affected by a drop in NEXUS valuation — Cloverleaf, Medina, Wadsworth and Buckeye — have joined the Ohio Schools Pipeline Coalition, an opposition effort that began in Oak Harbor that has garnered support from 39 Ohio school districts. School districts have long expected NEXUS would appeal the valuation, but anticipated any loss of revenue to be between 30 and 40 percent. NEXUS proceeds are also being put toward roughly $3.5 million in improvements to Cloverleaf High School's Gene Clark Stadium, 8525 Friendsville Road, which should be complete by fall. Those changes include replacement of football field turf, adding two running lanes to the stadium track and new lighting that is slated to be ready to go for the start of football season. Further upgrades to the stadium entrance, fencing and concession area are set to be finished in October. "We can fund these projects with the 38 percent received," Kubilus said. "I understand there will be a state board of appeals hearing in May regarding NEXUS so we'll see what happens there. We're going to be moving forward with what has been planned." Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at 330-721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.