By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

SPRINGBORO - A growing enrollment has prompted the Springboro Board of Education to put a bond issue on the ballot to build two schools, and an operating levy to offset additional costs.

Meanwhile, in another northern Warren County school district, Wayne Local, the board has a deal it wants to make with its residents: Approve a 1 percent income tax and we'll lower your property taxes.

In Springboro, the 5.12-mill bond issue would provide $43.8 million to pay for construction of two elementary schools, each large enough for 800 students.

"We're bursting at the seams," said Larry Hook, assistant superintendent.

The 4.83-mill operating levy voters will decide would bring about $2.6 million annually, said Treasurer Tim Dettwiller. If voters approve the levy, officials won't begin collections until 2005, when the schools are scheduled to open.

Enrollment in Springboro grew by 304 students, from 3,757 last year to 4,061 this year, an increase of 8 percent, Mr. Hook said. The district is expecting increases of 300 or more students each of the next several years, he said.

Taxes on a $100,000 house would increase $152 annually with collections beginning in January 2005, if the operating levy passes. Taxes would increase $162 annually beginning in January if the bond issue is approved, Mr. Dettwiller said.

Meanwhile, should Wayne Local voters approve a 1 percent income tax, the board has pledged to stop collecting revenue from four separate levies due to expire between the end of this year and December 2005. The drop would be the equivalent of about 7.15 mills, said Superintendent Tom Isaacs.

When combined with the 2-mill bond issue residents are also being asked to approve to pay for a community arts center, property taxes would drop 5.15 mills or $157 on a $100,000 home, Mr. Isaacs said.

The difference between the $1.6 million the income tax is expected to raise annually and the drop in dollars from the levies is an increase in revenue of about $400,000 each year for the schools, said Treasurer Ron James.

The 26-year bond issue would provide $4.5 million to fund a 20,000-square-foot fine arts center built on the middle school.