Our dream, the Tusky Valley dream, began in late 1955 when the local boards of education in Fairfield, Warren, Sandy, and Lawrence Townships created a vision and ultimately voted to consolidate five independently operated school systems into one, united Tuscarawas Valley Local School District.

The County Board of Education officially consolidated the five districts of Bolivar-Lawrence, Fairfield, Mineral City-Sandyville, New Cumberland-Warren, and Zoar on January 4, 1956, and appointed a new board of education to lead the new Tuscarawas Valley Local School District.  The initial meeting of the appointed board was held on January 10, 1956, where Paul Burris was elected President of the Board.  

It was official.  The Bolivar Cardinals, Mineral City Tigers, and New Cumberland Eagles merged to form the Tusky Valley Trojans and held its first commencement for the TVHS Class of 1957 at the former Bolivar High School. 

The Board continued to dream, seek options and garner support for where to build a new, centrally located high school.  Would it be Zoar or Zoarville?  Would it be property purchased from the Lebold Farm off State Route 212 or the Reed Farm on County Road 106?  

After five defeats, a bond issue was finally passed to build a new high school on a 35-acre parcel purchased from the Charles and Raymond Reed family.  On September 4, 1961, students began class in the new state-of-the-art, one-million-dollar facility on Tusky Valley Road.  The TVHS Class of 1962 became the first graduating class from the present-day campus.  An addition in 1967 added additional classrooms for junior high.  

Our school buildings have changed over the years.  A new middle school constructed in 1996, the closing of New Cumberland Elementary, and grade level restructuring in 2007 are all part of our story.  

After six decades since the creation of Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools, the landscape and future of the district once again were reshaped with a vision to bring all students to the Tusky Valley Road campus.  

A new middle/high school serving all students in grades seven through twelve opened in 2023 and a new elementary school serving students in preschool through 6th grade opened in 2024.  The approximate 58 million dollar, co-funded state project was completed with no bond levy or tax increase. 

The Bolivar/Intermediate School closed to students in 2023 and the Mineral City/Primary School in 2024.  Both buildings were abated and demolished in 2024.  In 2024, the original high school was converted into an administrative/community center to serve the needs of the Tusky Valley Community.   

Today’s PK-12 campus promises enhanced safety, efficient operations, climate-controlled environments, accessibility, and flexible, innovative use of space for learning.    

Today, we pay tribute to the past, the buildings, the memories, and treasured experiences.  We honor the fortitude and courage of our predecessors who inspired positive change and paved the way for the future.  We admire the visionary leadership of our Board of Education and its steadfast and relentless focus on STUDENTS, all that they are, and all that they can become.   

Since 1957 when the first Trojans received their diplomas, to the present, Tusky Valley remains a premier public school system dedicated to providing a personalized and safe educational experience to prepare today’s learners for tomorrow’s challenges.  Our strong academic curriculum, competitive athletic and arts programs, caring team of educators, loving and supportive parents, and generous community make Tusky Valley a well-respected ‘go-to’ district.   

Today and always, we honor the history of Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools.  We celebrate our legacy, and we embrace our future, together, as Trojans.