By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - A plan that would double the size of Kings High School and add 29,000 square feet to the junior high combines the needs identified by both the Ohio School Facilities Commission and a district advisory group, school officials say.

The $42.5 million plan, unveiled Monday during a community forum, will be discussed and possibly approved during today's 6:30 p.m. school board meeting at the Kings Education Center.

Prepared by Voorhis Slone Welsh & Crossland Architects, the plan expands the high school to the north; separates car and bus traffic; provides room for growth; and enlarges athletic, performing arts, food service and parking areas at both schools.

"There's a definite need," said parent Susan Pickett, of Deerfield Township.

"We have great facilities for the younger kids. Now we need the same for the older kids."

Since the high school opened in 1989, enrollment has increased from 540 students to 954. At the junior high, enrollment jumped from 370 pupils to 613, said Superintendent David Query. Projections call for 1,094 students at the high school by 2013 and 650 students at the junior high.

Under the plan, academic space at the high school would be clustered west of the main hallway with community space - including a 1,000-seat auditorium and 1,700-seat gymnasium - to the east. A two-story academic wing would be constructed along with additional practice, dressing and storage rooms for the fine arts programs.

A kitchen serving both schools would be constructed near where the two schools join, with separate cafeterias for junior and senior high school students.

Junior high improvements include several regular and special use classrooms, a multipurpose room, two computer labs, and expanded vocal and instrumental rooms. The space will be configured so that the team concept could continue.

Practice fields displaced by the high school addition would relocate to the south, onto land the district leases from Paramount's Kings Island for $1 annually.

The cost would be funded through a bond issue of about 4.34 mills, based on a May ballot issue, said Michael Mowery, district treasurer. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $133 annually.

The district would be eligible for about a $7 million state reimbursement in 2008-2010, Mr. Mowery estimated.