By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - In the wake of $1 million in budget cuts and as Kings school officials consider a 2-mill levy for November, they must also find a way to replace the football stadium and athletic fields lost to toxic lead.

They are turning to residents in the Warren County school system for both their ideas and, they hope, their support.

This week at J.F. Burns Elementary, during the first of three public meetings, school officials presented detailed options for replacing the George E. King football and track stadium.

Options ranged from $2 million to $4 million, depending on seating construction, capacity and whether natural or artificial turf is installed.

Officials also offered proposals for expanding the high school that could lead to reconfiguration of grades at the district's six schools.

Both the stadium and school expansions may be funded by a bond issue school officials are considering presenting to voters, or through borrowing from a state loan program for school facilities.

Kings Superintendent Charles Mason said that although the discovery of lead on the high school's grounds and its $2 million cleanup by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is being paid for with federal money, the district must pay for replacing its stadium and athletic fields.

Kings used nearby Galbreath Field for football, soccer and lacrosse games last fall and, while that option appears open again for the coming autumn, a permanent solution in necessary, Mason told the more than 50 Kings residents.

"There is a sense of urgency to put this back together again for our kids," said Mason.

Athletic Director Matt Koenig, echoed that urgency, saying "we are at a crossroads" in providing for students and the community, which would also benefit by installation of artificial turf .

Parent Michelle Lacalameto agreed, and said she appreciated school officials holding frequent meetings, the next of which is 7 p.m. today at Kings Mills Elementary.

"I certainly hope it helps their school levies. Sometimes if the public doesn't understand the issues, it's easy for them to vote no," said Lacalameto.

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com