The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Concord supports Hadden land transfer
Riverside has not made its decision on former school property
Debate continues on what to do with Riverside Schools’ Clyde C. Hadden Elementary building property.
Riverside School District is in the midst of consolidating several of its older buildings into newer constructions like the Parkside and Riverview school buildings, which both opened for the first time this school year.
The transition for educators and students has been analyzed and later implemented across many months. Just what to do with the land that remains part of the decommissioned schools is proving more of an uncertainty.
Recently, Painesville Township trustees approached the Riverside School Board with interest in acquiring the back lot portion of the newly decommissioned Clyde C. Hadden Elementary School building.
The board is exploring options, including potential sale of the parcel. Township Trustee Gabe Cicconetti explained in a recent interview that “many residents in the (school district) feel that this property has been paid for many times over by the taxpayers for nearly nine decades” through financial support and successful levy initiatives.
A recent public letter posted by Cicconetti read in part, “Those on the Board that are against the proposal feel that the Township and tax-paying residents should have to purchase this property for a large sum of money.”
He closed by stating, “It is time for the School Board to take their turn and give back to the community-atlarge that supports them.”
He is not alone. Concord Trustees Paul Malchesky, Caroline Luhta, and Carl Dondorfer issued a joint public letter addressed to the Riverside School Board in support of the trustees’ efforts in acquiring the land.
“The three ball fields located on the back half of the property are not only utilized by Painesville Township residents but also by Concord Township residents who play baseball in organized leagues,” the Concord letter stated.
“We feel it is important to maintain our recreation areas across the region.”
Cicconetti thanked them for their support in a response on social media.
“From the beginning of this initiative regarding the Hadden property our stance has always been that while the land is located in our Township it serves taxpayers across the Riverside Local School District, including Concord Township,” he said.
“So, we appreciate that our neighbors in Concord Township recognize this and support our efforts to keep the property for use as a park and ball fields.
“We are truly thankful for the wide range of support,” Cicconetti said, “and we are hopeful that in the end, the result will be what we believe and many taxpayers believe to be the best for everyone, which is this property remaining a park.”
The Riverside School Board previously issued a statement saying, “The Riverside Local School District’s Board of Education has not made any final decisions regarding the Clyde C. Hadden Elementary School property. Over the past several months, the Board of Education has been working to put the school district and community in the best possible position to decommission the building in a responsible manner.
“These processes include appraisals, following legal protocols for public school districts to dispose of public property, and discussions with Painesville Township leadership.
“More time is needed to complete our work before announcing how the property will be released from district control. The District will continue to have discussions with Painesville Township.”