BY MIRIAM SMITH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SOUTH LEBANON -- Most residents here don't want to lose their elementary school, Village Administrator John Louallen said Monday.
"Once a community loses its school, the community goes down the tubes," Mr. Louallen said.
He was among 100 people who packed the cafeteria at South Lebanon Elementary School for the first of three meetings this week to discuss the future of South Lebanon and Kings Mills elementary schools. Most in South Lebanon attending the meeting wanted either to renovate their community's building or build a new school in the village.
"I'm here to say I want you to leave my school alone," said resident Marvin Byrd.
Superintendent David Query said the South Lebanon students are part of a larger community. "We are the Kings Local School District community," he said.
"We don't want to see our school abandoned," Mr. Louallen said before the meeting. " . . . Any time anybody wants to relocate in this area, that's the first thing they ask about is the schools. If there's any way possible to keep our school in town, we're going to pursue that."
The Kings Local School District held the meeting to inform the public of some of the options available and to get feedback. A survey also was handed out and will be reviewed by the administration and board members.
Mr. Query is not expected to make a recommendation to the board for at least a month.
For the past year, the district has been considering plans to either improve or replace South Lebanon Elementary School because of costly structural repairs needed.
The school board has recently discussed four options:
Renovating South Lebanon and Kings Mills elementary schools. Cost: $1.5 million.
A more intensive renovation of both buildings. Cost: $10.4 million.
Buying land in South Lebanon and building an elementary school; renovating Kings Mills Elementary School. Cost: $13.6 million. Building one building to serve both schools at a central location. Cost: $15 million.
Without a bond issue, the district - by using its permanent improvement fund - could make only minimal repairs to South Lebanon and none to Kings Mills, Mr. Query has said.
The site for a new building to house both schools likely would be on 37 acres near the Little Miami River, Mr. Query said.
District leaders and Deerfield Township trustees are contemplating the joint purchase and development of the King Avenue land.
Two other meetings will be held to discuss the future of the schools this week: 7 p.m. Wednesday, in the Kings Mills cafeteria; and 7 p.m. Thursday at J.F. Burns Elementary cafeteria.
