MONROE — Architects Steed-Hammond-Paul Inc. will work with educators, parents and community members to prepare a plan for a K-12 complex to house children in the Monroe Local Schools.

        It is unlikely either Monroe Elementary or Lemon-Monroe Junior-Senior High School will be renovated or expanded, largely because of the cost. Superintendent Arnol Elam said it would cost $6 million to bring the elementary school up to standards. Another $18 million would be needed for the junior-senior high school.

        “We're really down to two possible scenarios,” Mr. Elam said. “We can build two separate buildings or we can build two buildings connected by a commons area — kitchen, gymnasium, auditorium and community meeting rooms.”

        The district has conducted three focus groups to find out what features Monroe residents would like in a new school complex. A design team also is in place, and this week a phone survey will be conducted to get even more community comment.

        “We want to keep the community involved,” said Suzi Rubin, a member of Monroe's school board. “They're the ones who have to live with whatever is decided for the next 50 years.”

        The board wants to place a bond issue on the November ballot to pay for new facilities. Toward that goal, the board adopted a resolution last week asking the Ohio Department of Education to exempt the district from a state law that restricts the amount of a bond issue.

        Current law limits indebtedness to 9 percent of the district's property valuation. With the value of property pegged at $214 million, edu cators would be limited to a $19.2 million bond issue, Mr. Elam said.

        “We have no debt,” Mr. Elam said. “We're asking for the dispensation now so we have plenty of time to get approval from the state.”

        Mr. Elam said he is looking for sites of at least 35 acres — the size of the current location. Response from the focus groups indicates residents want the school complex centrally located. It would be built for 1,600-2,000 students. There are now 1,466 students — including students from neighboring districts who took advantage of an open enrollment policy for grades 9-12.

        “We definitely want a campus setting,” Mr. Elam said. “We would still keep our existing property because our outdoor athletic facilities are in good shape. We'd love to stay where we are; but in the interim, we'd have no place to put kids.”

        To assist in the planning, the Ohio School Facilities Commission will assess the two buildings and prepare recommendations.

        The board has until mid-August to place a bond issue on the Nov. 6 ballot.

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