Lockland Local School District will celebrate the completion of its historic campus renovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and special street sign unveiling at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Due to the extreme heat, the event will be held in the Gymnasium - enter at door A12.
The celebration marks the conclusion of three years of construction that transformed the district's historic Main Campus while preserving the character of buildings that have served generations of Lockland students.
Following the ceremony, the district will open its doors to the community for an open house, offering residents, alumni and families an opportunity to see firsthand how the project blended modern learning environments with the history of the Lockland campus.
“This campus belongs to generations of Lockland families, and we knew from the beginning how important it was to honor that history while creating the learning environments our students deserve today,” Superintendent Bob Longworth said. “This celebration is an opportunity to thank the community that made this transformation possible and invite them back inside to see what we have accomplished together.”
The path to the completed renovation began in 2019, when Lockland voters approved a bond issue representing the community's 13 percent share of the total project. Planning and development continued through the disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in July 2021, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission approved the state's 87 percent share. Construction on the Main Campus began in 2023, launching the multi-year transformation that is now complete.
“For 175 years, Lockland Schools has grown and changed alongside this community,” Longworth said. “These buildings carry an incredible history, but what happens inside them is about the future. This project gives our students and staff modern spaces in which to learn, grow and create the next chapter of the Lockland story. It truly is a time when we can say, ‘Here we grow again.’”
Founded in 1851, Lockland Local School District is one of the oldest school districts in Ohio. Over the past 175 years, Lockland has graduated students who became world-renowned doctors, lawyers, educators, first responders, elected leaders, and military heroes.
The $40M+ renovation project encompassed transformation of the iconic 1912, 1929 and 1949 buildings into one modern learning environment while preserving its character. The project completely upgraded the entire instructional campus, inclusive of classrooms, infrastructure, mechanicals, electric, plumbing, roof systems, corridors and shared spaces to better serve students and families for decades to come.
The evening’s itinerary is as follows:
Welcome on Behalf of the Lockland Schools Board of Education - Bob Longworth
Introduction of Distinguished Guests - Bob Longworth
Street Sign Unveiling / Village of Lockland Remarks - Mayor Mark Mason
President’s Letter Presentation - Senator Cathy Ingram
Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting
Guided Tour / Campus Walkthrough
Facilitated tour by District personnel
Questions and Answers