By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

MONROE - Middletown students will return to Monroe this fall, four years after the creation of Monroe Local Schools after voters chose to split from Middletown Schools.

But it won't be for long.

The Middletown and Monroe districts are finishing plans that would temporarily relocate Verity Middle School students to Lemon-Monroe Junior-Senior High School for at least two years.

The move is possible because Monroe Schools will move all of its students into a new K-12 facility at Ohio 63 and Yankee Road. Construction is on target to be finished Aug. 3, giving educators about a month to move in before the district's Sept. 7 start.

"Last year at this time we were looking at tearing down this building," Monroe Superintendent Arnold Elam said. "Now it looks like it will be a swing building for Middletown."

Middletown Business Manager Frank Chapman said students at Wilson and McKinley elementary schools would move to Verity next fall while new elementary schools are being constructed for those students.

Chapman said Middletown would use all but the third floor of Lemon-Monroe Junior/Senior High School. Most home athletic events would continue to be in Middletown.

Chapman and Elam said a final contract between the districts likely will be ready for review and approval by both boards later this month. The price Middletown will pay is being negotiated.

Middletown Schools isn't the only group that will be leasing Monroe's facilities.

Butler Technology and Career Development Schools has signed a two-year lease agreement with Monroe for use of the elementary school. It will house a health program being developed with Middletown Regional Hospital. Butler Tech will pay Monroe $210,000 each year.

E-mail suek@infionline.net