HAMILTON — School funding issues don't pass easily here. That's why school officials are trying to make the most of a $45 million bond issue, approved last year.

        They have delayed awarding contracts for several construction projects, taking advantage of a recent change in state law. The delay will make more money available through a state grant program, officials say.

        Even though site work began last spring on Hamilton High School's addition, five contracts totaling $7.25 million weren't awarded until just a couple of weeks ago, with the work to resume in the next two weeks. Contracts for classroom addi tions at elementary schools will be awarded by year's end.

        The already awarded contracts will pay for Phase One of improvements at Hamilton High, said Everett Mann, the district's administrative assistant for business and planning. That work includes a six-classroom addition, new media center and gymnasium. The existing media center will be remodeled into two or three classrooms. The work should be completed by the end of summer 2002.

        “The stakes are high so we're making sure the work fits their guidelines,” Mr. Mann said. “I don't know if you believe in miracles, but one happened here.”

        Money issues don't pass easily in this community so when one does pass, adminis trators want to make sure the dollars stretch as far as possible, Mr. Mann said. When voters OK'd the bond issue last year, it was the first time a bond issue passed since 1956, when one was approved to pay for construction of four schools that opened three years later, he said.

        The Ohio Schools Facilities Commission ranks schools, and as funds are available they go to districts according to their ranking. Hamilton Schools Treasurer Robert Hancock estimated Hamilton would be eligible for money sometime between 2004-2006. For every 39 cents the district puts toward projects, the state will contribute 59 cents, up to a predetermined amount.

        By waiting to sign contracts until after the law took effect Sept. 14, the cost of the work will count toward the district's share of commission-approved work, thus allowing the district to make more improvements than planned when the bond issue was passed, Mr. Hancock said.

        The Hamilton High improvements will become part of a facilities master plan jointly being put together by the commission and the district. Every building is being assessed by an architectural firm assigned by the commission. Those data, plus enrollment history from the past 10 years along with projections, will be factored into the plan.

        School officials will meet with the facilities commission Tuesday to discuss projects for inclusion in the master plan.

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