Talawanda considers site for new school

OXFORD - The Talawanda Board of Education has 90 days to decide whether to buy up to 35 acres in Milford Township for a 450-pupil elementary school.

The board has taken out a 90-day purchase option on 35 acres on Ohio 177 between Harris Road and Ohio 73, known as the Hansel Farm. The option locks in a purchase price of $7,200 per acre.

Before determining whether to buy the farm, the board is having the soil tested, and the property is being surveyed. A new elementary school, slated to open in time for the 2006-2007 school year to replace the closed Stewart Elementary, would be built on the site.

Warren center offers college-level courses

LEBANON - Those interested in taking college courses this fall at the Warren County Career Center may register at one of three open houses.

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Miami University Middletown Campus and Sinclair Community College will offer classes.

Areas of study will include allied health, business technology, aviation maintenance, civil engineering technology, computer information systems, culinary arts, deaf studies, hazardous materials and safety, law enforcement and visual communication.

Open houses and registration will be held at the career center, 3525 N. Ohio 48: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday; 1-4 p.m. July 22, and 5-8 p.m. Aug. 3.

Mayfield Elementary has new principal

MIDDLETOWN - Children at Mayfield Elementary School will see a new face in the principal's office when they return next month.

Joan Stoutenborough has been named principal. She replaces John Petrocy, who retired last month. Stoutenborough received a two-year contract and will earn $83,000 annually.

Stoutenborough had been the district's curriculum director for music, art and physical education along with serving as principal of the Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program.

Darlene Tyra will replace Stoutenborough for the next year on an interim basis. She will earn $57,141. Tyra has been with the Middletown Schools since 1969 in several roles, including teaching, curriculum coordinator and principal.

Free child care for returning troops

DEERFIELD TWP. - Kings Kids Preschool and Child Care Programs are offering free child care for National Guard and Reserve troop members on leave from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Returning service men and women may schedule four-hour blocks of free child care from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, minus school hours once classes begin Aug. 18. Children must be residents of the Kings Local School District.

For information or to schedule child care, call 398-8050, extension 10040.

Web sites offer opposing views on levy

FAIRFIELD - Two Web sites have been set up concerning the 6.9-mill levy that Fairfield schools voters will see on the Aug. 3 ballot.

The levy would raise about $9.1 million annually and increase taxes about $211 on a $100,000 house.

Information from Citizens for Fairfield Schools, a group working toward passage of the levy, can be found at www.takeastand4fairfield.com. It includes information about the levy, volunteer sign-ups, a calendar of community events and other items.

Citizens for Accountability and Results in Education opposes the issue and has information posted at www.care45014.net.

Sue Kiesewetter

E-mail items to suek@infionline.net or fax to 755-4150.