MILFORD — It took three tries for Milford School District to pass a levy for four new elementaries.

        Now, acquiring land for those schools has become just as troublesome.

        The district of 5,914 students has purchased land for three of the sites. The Milford Board of Education returns to executive session tonight to discuss land acquisition for its fourth school for families who live in south Milford and Union Township.

        Two properties are front runners for the fourth school — Lang Road in north Union Township, and South Milford Road across from Terrace Park Country Club in Milford.

        Sites along Buckwheat and Loveland-Miamiville roads were secured for two schools without fanfare. The third site, purchased along Mount Zion Road in Miami Township, has upset neighbors who are concerned about access to the site, narrow roads and increased traffic.

        But the proposed Union Township site along Lang Road has proven the most controversial for many of the same reasons.

        Even Union Township Administrator Ken Geis says the site is unacceptable. For example, he said, Lang Road at its widest point is 18 feet, which would never accommodate two school buses.

        What's more, Mr. Geis said, the site would require $1.6 million in improvements, not including sanitary sewer and engineering.

        “I told the school board that we hadn't budgeted for it, and I would recommend against Union Township contributing to that project,” Mr. Geis said. “With any other development, those are always included in the project cost. This should be no different.”

        In a Jan. 21 letter to the board, Mr. Geis requested the district study alternatives to the Lang Road site.

        “We should not enter into this process under a cloud of apprehension and you should not attempt to force this decision upon our community,” he said.

        On Wednesday, Mr. Geis said, “It's unfortunate that this whole process has really taken a negative turn.”

        The district commissioned a survey, taken earlier this month, of Milford School District residents in Union Township. Of 833 households, about half responded.

        Some 53.7 percent supported the district's proposal to locate an elementary school on Lang Road. About 46.3 percent said no.

        Residents were also asked if they would support the board's decision if the only method available to acquire the property is through eminent domain. Some 42.2 percent of the residents said yes; 57.8 percent said no.

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