By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - When Jane Titus came to look at the four high school options for the Lakota Schools, she was in favor of building a third high school.

But 90 minutes later Tuesday evening, the Liberty Township mother of two changed her mind, preferring instead an option that would have two freshman schools - one feeding to an expanded Lakota East, the other to an expanded Lakota West.

"As I've sat here, I've kind of changed my mind," Titus said. "I don't think it's the best thing, but I like the direct feed of one freshmen school to one high school."

With one freshman school feeding to two high schools, it was difficult to build school spirit, Titus said. But with one freshman school feeding to one high school, all students would be able to align with a particular high school.

Many of the 75-plus people who attended the meeting expressed an interest in that option, with an estimated price tag of $33 million to $35 million.

Other options include two large and two small high schools, three equal-size high schools and two large high schools and one small high school. Costs ranged from $31 million to $39 million.

Of the 200 people who attended three previous open houses, half preferred the three-high-school option. The two freshmen schools/two senior highs came in second and there was little support for the other two, said Superintendent Kathleen Klink.

"In my heart, I believe we could make any of the four options work," said board member Jeff Jones.

Each of the four options would increase capacity for students in grades 9-12 from today's 4,600-4,800 , up to 6,000 students, said Joan Powell, school board president.

Once a decision is made on a high school plan, the school's facilities committee will bring a recommendation to the board to address space for elementary students.

It is expected to include construction of at least one more elementary school, said Daniel Warncke, a board member who also sits on the committee.

Those construction costs will be combined with a need for operating dollars and would likely be put before voters in spring 2004, board members said.

Treasurer Alan Hutchinson said the tax rate needed for any of the four high school options would be less than 3 mills. But it's too early to estimate the total money needed for the entire plan.

The board has a special meeting 7 p.m. June 25 to talk about the four high school options.

The Plans

Two large high schools, one small high school: Classrooms at Lakota East and West would be added, increasing capacity from 1,800 to 2,400. The freshman school would be converted into a high school of 1,200. All three schools would house students in grades 9-12. Families would have to choose to attend the smaller high school. High school boundaries would not change.

Two large high schools, two small high schools: Lakota East and West would undergo minor additions for 1,800 students in grades 9-12. The freshman school would become a high school for 1,200 students in grades 9-12. A new high school would be built for 1,200 students in grades 9-12. Major high school redistricting would be needed.

Two high schools, two freshman schools: Classrooms would be added to Lakota East and West, accommodating 2,250 students in grades 10-12. A new freshman school would be built for students feeding to Lakota East. The existing freshman school would be used for students assigned to Lakota West. Each freshman school would have 750 ninth-graders.

Three equal-size high schools: Both Lakota East and West would undergo expansion to increase capacity to 2,000 students in grades 9-12. Significant additions would be made to Lakota Plains Junior School to accommodate 2,000 students in grades 9-12. High school boundaries would have to be redrawn.