ROSS TOWNSHIP — Ross Local Schools has developed an eight-year plan that includes a new high school and new elementary school, renovating buildings, and expanding Elda and Morgan elementary schools in a nearly $50 million project.

        The project will be explained during community meetings at 7 p.m. tonight at Morgan Elementary School and 7 p.m. Thursday at Ross High School.

        The Ohio School Facilities Commission put the cost at $49,715,695, which includes the new high school and an elementary school if enrollment figures warrant it in 2008, when the district is expected to receive state funds, said Superintendent David McWilliams. The cost of the project would be split between the district and the state, with Ross paying 52 percent.

        “I want the public to understand the master plan and the cost to them,” Mr. McWilliams said. “The majority of the local share will be used to build a new high school.”

        The three-phase master plan calls for construction of a high school for 807 students in grades 9-12. The existing high school would be renovated as a middle school for 694 students in grades 6-8. Both elementary schools would be expanded with a 13,000-square-foot addition at Elda and a 9,100-square-foot addition at Morgan.

        A third school large enough for 475 students in grades kindergarten to fifth would be constructed if enrollment warrants it.

        Under discussion is whether the board of education wants to combine the bond issue for the district's share of the project with an operating levy and permanent improvement levy required on all state projects.

        “We're going to do this, but it's a big expenditure,” said Ross Board of Education member Marcia Lang Canter. “When is the best timing? How would the community like to be asked?We're going to weigh the pros and cons and make a decision.”

        If the board put everything before voters in May, a 9.9-mill issue would be necessary, said Mr. McWilliams. That would include 5.9 mills for a bond issue, 3 mills for a permanent improvement levy that would raise $705,000 annually, and one mill for an operating levy that would raise about $235,000, said Ross Schools' Treasurer Tracy Jarvis.

        The cost to the owner of a house with a market value of $100,000 would be about $350 annually, Mrs. Jarvis said. The cost of the bond issue only — which would raise a total $22.2 million — would be $210 annually.

        The board has scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m., Jan. 23 in the superintendent's office to decide whether to put an issue on the May ballot.

Luken woos Dayton manager
Evendale sticks by Roach hiring
Improvement brings school honors
Ohio opponents of multistate lottery to sue
PULFER: The Vagina Monologues
Televised town hall airs Wednesday
CAN lacks financial direction
Cops tired of long workweek
Council pleads ignorance, then restores nurses
Medicaid receivers await cuts
School board's chief re-elected
UC faculty voting on contract
UC scholarships still available
Good News: Sign up to play Sno-Ball
Local Digest
Recreation notes
Tax petition drive intensifies
Butler County murder retrial starts today
Hamilton gears up for IceFest
Little Miami looks at levy
Man admits killing toddler
Ross to hold forums on building
Bill would jail all sex offenders
Gallatin Co. installs first zoning laws
Kentucky Digest
Park has support, but lacks financing
Plants entangle Newport council
Push to rename 12th St. bridge for Poweleit
Letcher Co. short on water
NAACP shares redistricting idea
Truck spills explosive materials near schools