By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

MIDDLETOWN - Mari Hardy says her family won't decide whether to build a house here until after the Nov. 4 election.

The mother of three elementary age children says since moving to Middletown in April, she has been disappointed in the schools.

But a "yes" vote on a $75.8 million bond issue that would fund the first phase of a plan to rebuild or renovate Middletown's schools would go a long way toward convincing her to stay.

"I'm all for new schools,'' says Hardy, who worries about her asthmatic child's health in buildings that aren't air-conditioned. "I'm wondering if they get new schools, are they going to up the educational level also?''

The bond issue the board plans to put on the November ballot would fund the elementary portion of the district's master plan. It calls for renovating Amanda Elementary and building six new elementary schools, each large enough for 503 students.

Verity Middle School would be renovated and used as an elementary school.

It also includes money for asbestos abatement, demolition of schools, land purchase and temporary classroom space.

The work could be completed in about four years, according to Todd Thackery, an architect and project manager with Steed-Hammond-Paul Inc.

"I'd be willing to pay for new schools and would start looking in the Middletown area to build,'' said Hardy, now living in an apartment in the Wildwood Elementary School attendance area.

The school board on Monday began the two-step process to put the issue on the ballot by adopting two resolutions, including one asking the auditor to certify the millage needed.

The final vote that puts the issue on the ballot is set for Aug. 11, after the Butler County Auditor's Office certifies the necessary millage.

Middletown Schools Treasurer Edmund Pokora estimated it would take a 4.5-mill bond issue, paid back over 28 years. That would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $138 annually.

People like Hardy are the precise reason why Middletown residents need to pass the bond issue, said Middletown Councilwoman Nancy Nix, who spoke in favor of the issue along with Councilman Perry Thatcher.

Without better facilities, both feared existing residents or those looking to move to Middletown would opt to move to communities with newer schools.

E-mail suek@infinonline.net