By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DEERFIELD TWP. - The Kings Board of Education has pushed back a vote on a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion plan after members said they wanted more time to review written comments from the public.

IF YOU GO

What: Kings Board of Education meeting When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: Kings High School auditorium, 5500 Columbia Road

The $42.5 million plan was presented during a public forum earlier this week - attended by 164 people - and since then, about 60 written surveys have been returned. The construction would double the size of Kings High School and add about 29,000 square feet to the junior high, both on Columbia Road, to keep up with the district's growth needs.

Board members discussed the plan Wednesday night before deciding to further the discussion - and possibly vote on the matter - at next week's meeting.

"I was a teacher for 30 years and it was different. I wanted it now," board member Bonnie Baker-Hicks said Wednesday night. "Now that I'm a board member, the biggest thing that's weighing on my shoulders is who do I represent. And I represent everybody. I'm not prepared in my heart to say that, yes, this is what we need to do right now."

The plan, created by Mason-based Voorhis Slone Welsh & Crossland architects, groups the two-story academic space at the high school to the west of a main corridor. To the east are a 1,000-seat auditorium, 1,700-seat gymnasium, and a fine-arts area.

The junior high is designed around the school's team-teaching concept, with computer labs and other special classrooms close to each team's regular classroom space. Plans also include a multipurpose room and expanded music facilities.

The plans allow for more storage space, larger hallways, a centralized kitchen with separate serving areas for the high school and junior high, separating car and bus traffic, and enlarged athletic facilities.

"I think that the plan is absolutely phenomenal," board member Roger Jones said. "I think it's something that the community would be proud to have. My concern is the state of the economy. But that's not to say I wouldn't support this."

A bond issue of about 4.34 mills would cover the costs, and the issue could go to voters as early as the May ballot. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $133 annually.

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

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com