By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Residents taking their first look at a proposed new early childhood school, and additions to the intermediate school, said they like what they see.

More than 80 Mason residents attended the last of a series of public briefings by Mason district officials at Mason High School earlier this week, and most arrived curious and left pleased with plans for new buildings to handle the Warren County district's growing student enrollment.

"It's all very impressive," said Mason school parent Michelle Fischley, who said she especially appreciated the briefing's forum that allowed residents to ask questions of school officials and architects.

Residents were walked through slides, blueprints and aerial photos of the proposed Early Childhood Center (ECC), with grades pre-kindergarten through first, and additions to Mason Intermediate School. Both depend on voter approval March 2 of a 1.78-mill bond issue to raise $35 million for the construction of the projects, which are scheduled to open in 2006.

The bond issue would also pay for the district's first installation of an artificial turf athletic field estimated to cost about $700,000.

Mason's booming population in recent years has forced the district to seek the bond issue, which if approved would not increase homeowners' school property tax because of district officials' refinancing of current debt. The 8,700-student school system has added 650 new students per year in each of the last six years, making it one of the fastest-growing districts among Ohio's 612.

Despite the rapid enrollment increases, Mason has consistently scored an "excellent" rating, the highest on the state's rating report card for districts.

Fischley welcomed the series of public meetings as "giving parents and the community in general a chance for input."

Mason school parent Suzy McBrayer liked the one-story layout for the proposed ECC, which would be built on 47 acres off of Mason Road, calling it "very child-centered" in understanding that young children have trouble climbing stairs.

Dave Lenert, Mason Board of Education president, said he was pleased with the resident turnout, saying "people know we need these buildings because they can see the growth."

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com