By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

LIBERTY TWP. - After living abroad for three years, Tori Bellino returned to find that the Lakota Schools district is bigger than ever, and still growing.

"The progress of the district is phenomenal," said Bellino, of West Chester. "They definitely need more space."

She was at Monday night's board meeting, where the Lakota Schools' facilities committee recommended a $63.8 million plan that would pay to build two elementary schools and a second freshman school, and to renovate or expand four other schools.

"I think they presented a very good, well-thought-out plan," she said.

Projections call for enrollment to grow from today's 16,377 students to 17,340 by 2006 and 17,932 by 2010. The district had 9,356 students in 1990.

"As our district continues to grow, we want to be ready," said Superintendent Kathleen Klink, who presented the committee's findings Monday.

Under the proposal, one of the two new elementary schools would replace Union Elementary, the district's oldest school, built in 1916.

The second elementary school would be constructed on board-owned property near the intersection of Cincinnati-Dayton and Linn roads. It would house 800 students in grades 1-6 and 600 half-day preschool and kindergarten students to ease overcrowding at the Lakota Early Childhood Center.

The recommendation comes just four weeks after Lakota opened Plains Junior and VanGorden Elementary schools.

Classroom additions and gymnasium expansion are among the changes planned at Lakota East and West high schools at a cost of $14.1 million. The group also recommended the district purchase land for a future elementary school.

"Land in this district is not only hard to find, but much more expensive than even a year or two ago," said board member Daniel Warncke. "We got sticker shock."

The board will put a money issue on the March 2 primary ballot. The exact amount and type of issue won't be determined until officials pin down renovation costs and figure in operating dollars.

The plan

Build an elementary school to replace Union in the northern part of the Union attendance district, $10.9 million

Expand Lakota East and West high schools, including gymnasium space and classrooms, $14.1 million.

Construct a freshman school near Lakota East, $20.2 million

Add classrooms and renovate Liberty Elementary, $1.9 million

Renovate Hopewell and turn the north wing into an early childhood center , $2 million.

Build the district's 12th elementary school large enough for 800 students in grades 1-6 and 600 half-day preschool/kindergarten children,$14.7 million.

Buy land for a future elementary school (unknown cost).

Meetings

Lakota Schools will host community meetings to present and get comments on a $63.8 million facilities plan. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Sept. 30: Hopewell Elementary

Oct. 2: Union Elementary

Oct 6: Cherokee Elementary

Oct. 7: Lakota West High School

Oct. 9: Shawnee Elementary

Oct. 14: Liberty Elementary

Oct. 16: Lakota East High School