DEERFIELD TWP. - Cleanup of lead-contaminated soil at Kings junior/senior high school campus is on schedule and should be finished by early summer, school officials said.

About 52 percent of the district-owned property identified for cleanup has been excavated and tested clean. Air monitoring samples show no airborne lead at any collection sites to date.

Excavation of the baseball field, the area behind the bus compound and home bleacher side of the stadium is done. Work on the football fields is continuing and should be finished by mid-May.

Administrators are collecting and evaluating options for restoration of the cleaned site and have scheduled a series of community meetings to discuss options, facilities needs throughout the district and space concerns at the secondary campus. Meetings will begin at 7 p.m. at:

• April 27: J.F. Burns Elementary, 8471 Columbia Road.

• April 28: South Lebanon Elementary, 50 Ridgeview Lane.

• April 29: Kings Mills Elementary, 1780 King Ave.

Fairfield High offers diplomas for veterans

FAIRFIELD - Veterans of WWII who left high school to served in the armed forces and would now like a Fairfield High School diploma should begin the process by picking up an application from the Butler County Veterans Service Commission, 315 High St.

Those eligible for diplomas are Ohio residents honorably discharged from any branch of service.

Completed forms should be returned to the Fairfield Board of Education, 211 Donald Dr. Diplomas will be presented at appropriate events, programs or other occasions as determined by the superintendent. Information: 829-6300, Ext.28.

Franklin approves plan to replace two schools

FRANKLIN - A 10-year master plan for the Franklin Schools that calls for the replacement of two elementary schools was approved this week by the school board.

Under the plan Laura Farrell and William Schenck elementary schools would be replaced. Additions and renovations would be made at the remaining four elementary schools.

The plan also calls for construction of a new high school and the closing of the junior high. When the new building opens junior high students would move to the existing high school.

The plan now goes to the Ohio School Facilities Commission for final approval. If approved, the district would be eligible for 39 percent reimbursement in 2009.

Talawanda to discuss deconsolidation move

OXFORD - A meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., April 22 at Talawanda High School gymnasium, 101 W. Chestnut St., to present information on proposed deconsolidation of Talawanda School District.

Administrators will present the same information they plan to address at an Ohio Board of Education sub-committee meeting 2 p.m., April 25, at Columbus' Embassy Suites hotel.

The board is against the split, proposed by Talawanda School Reorganization Committee. The group proposes a new district to include Oxford, Oxford Township and two acres of Hueston Woods State Park, now in Preble County Eaton Community Schools.

Adena hosts family literacy session

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Family literacy will be the focus of parent/child activities set for 7 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, at Adena Elementary School, 9316 Minuteman Way.

The evening opens with a Readers' Theatre followed by families spending time at three different stations. A

At one they will create a family motto about reading.

At the second they will write a book and at the third they will learn strategies to improve reading comprehension. Information: 777-0100.

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