By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

SPRINGBORO - Two elementary buildings would be constructed for Springboro Community Schools if voters approve a $61.5 million bond issue expected to be on the March primary ballot.

The school board is scheduled to vote Tuesday to put the issue on the ballot, once the Warren County auditor certifies the exact millage needed to pay off the bonds over a 28-year period. School officials are anticipating the millage to be close to 5.85 mills.

"We sit at a crossroads here. This is the second straight year of being an excellent school district,'' said Larry Hook, assistant superintendent. "We have to take this step to ensure we continue down that path because of our growth.''

Enrollment has increased about 23 percent since 2000 when there were 3,501 students enrolled in the district, Hook said. There are now 4,322 students, with projections calling for that to increase to 5,119 students by 2006.

The two new schools would each be built large enough for 1,100 students in grades 2-5. Jonathan Wright and Clearcreek elementary schools would be renovated and each would house kindergarten and first-grade students. Sixth-graders would move to Springboro Elementary. Additions would be built at the junior and senior high schools.