The district entered a purchase agreement Sept. 16 for 28.36 acres of land at 935 N. Cassady Ave after unanimous approval by the Board of Education Sept. 11 for athletic facilities and outdoor academic spaces.
The proposed purchase was discussed at a Board meeting Oct. 9. Superintendent Jason Fine said the purchase agreement includes a 75-day due diligence period which allows the district to negate the deal if necessary.
According to the Cassady Avenue Frequently Asked Questions page, the district is using the time to administer inspections and work with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to confirm the area is safe for potential athletic and academic usage.
“We can walk away at any time, for any reason,” he explained. “That is an important aspect that was part of the negotiation process.”
Director of Facilities Harley Williams explained although there are many ideas regarding what the land will be used for, little has been confirmed because the district is more focused on the logistics of the agreement.
“First comes the purchase; then comes the design,” he said.
According to district documents, possible additions include a regulation-sized track, baseball and softball diamonds and a practice field for other sports.
Practices for fall sports such as football and soccer may take place at the Cassady complex, but games will remain at Carlton Smith Field, he added.
“We will always maintain the athletic field at the Cassingham Complex,” he said. “That is a cornerstone of our community.”
Girls track and field head coach Jamie Hayes said a regulation-sized track would benefit the athletes immensely.
“If this land could give us that space, it could be really wonderful for all of our athletic programs,” she explained. “We’d spend less time at practice managing who’s where and more time being able to coach.”
The new facilities would also benefit athletes mentally, as limited space requires some teams to practice early in the morning or late at night, Hayes added.
“It’s not just about new things or having a nice, big track…but also their overall well-being,” she said.
The land may also be used for academic purposes, such as lab stations for science classes, Williams said. He explained the goal to “explore alternative facilities,” outlined in the district’s Strategic Plan approved in 2023, was created with the benefit of all students in mind.
“This is not either athletics or academics,” he said. “This is both.”
Despite positive feedback, the Board received some negative responses to the potential purchase during public comment at the Oct. 9 Board meeting.
Bexley resident Mark Abramson said he believes Bexley’s walkable, close-knit community is one of its defining characteristics.
“Children play where they live,” he said. “This community cannot afford to lose the current tennis courts and softball fields.”
Abramson added he feels the district isn’t being transparent with their plans for the Cassady property.
“I cannot understand how this Board and administration expect us to vote on a 15 mill levy while at the same time, the Board, without residential approval, is pursuing a $6 million purchase of land outside of Bexley,” he said.
Although the timing of the purchase wasn’t ideal because of the operational levy on the Nov. 5 ballot, Fine explained he saw only one option when the land went up for sale.
“This was an opportunity that we could not miss out on,” he said.
Funds from the operational levy will not be used to pay for the Cassady land purchase, Fine explained.
“That is how we fund the operational, day-to-day aspects of our district,” he said.
According to the district’s FAQ document, the district currently has half of the $6 million necessary to purchase the land from the 2016 permanent improvement levy.
At the Board meeting Oct. 9, the Board approved a resolution to request a maximum of $3.5 million in the form of a tax anticipation note.
Chief Financial Officer Kyle Smith said the district’s permanent improvement funds will not be exhausted during this process.
“By law, we can only obligate 50% of PI revenues, so that leaves $350,000 per year we can use for capital outlay expenditures,” he explained.
Williams added the district has relied in the past on partnerships with the Jewish Community Center, Wolfe Park and Bexley Parks and Recreation, so ownership of the new land will provide a safer and more consistent environment for students.
“We do the best we can, but we can do better,” he said.
