SOUTH POINT - Residents in the South Point School District will once again have the chance to vote on building

new school facilities when residents hit the polls March 2 for the primary election.

Three previous bond and tax levy proposals were voted down , one in 1999 and two in 2000.

During a public meeting Monday attended by approximately 200 citizens, parents, students and teachers, school officials urged people to register

to vote this week so they will be able to participate in the upcoming election.

The current proposed bond issue would raise $7.7 million in property taxes over

the next 27 years to go along with $30.8 million

to be provided by the Ohio School Facilities Commission to construct four new schools in the district.

In order for the new buildings to be maintained, a levy of .50 mils for the same time period is required, according to a spreadsheet outlining the proposal provided by the Lawrence County Auditor's Office.

''In other words, for every dollar we raise locally, the state will give us $4

for construction,'' said superintendent Ken Cook. ''I think it's important to the well-being of this community and, more importantly, to the well-being of our children."

If the bond and levy issue is approved in March, the state will release funds in August for the district to start construction on new buildings, which may take 18 to 24 months to complete.

Passing of the bond will insure the school district funds for construction, additions, renovations, facility improvements and site acquisitions. It would also provide equipment, furnishings and site improvements.

According to a pamphlet provided by the South Point Better Schools Committee, renovating the current school buildings would actually cost more than 66 percent of the cost for new buildings and the state would not provide those funds.

An architectural firm in Columbus is preparing designs for the proposed facilities. Cook said he wants to hire local contractors for construction whenever possible and the workmanship quality will be checked by the OFC.

Chief Deputy Auditor Chris Kline participated in the meeting to answer questions regarding taxes and other'monetary'issues. He provided a spreadsheet with homes at market value from $30,000 to $200,000,'for'people to see what amount they would have to pay in annual property taxes if the bond levy is passed.

For example, a homeowner who lives in a house with a property evaluation of'$30,000 would contribute $49.70 annually to the levy. Additionally, some residents may qualify for the Homestead Exemption Program, which is available to homeowners who are at least 65 years old and have an income of $24,700 or less; or to homeowners who are permanently disabled with the same income requirements.

"We have an opportunity here, maybe once in a lifetime…if you have good schools you're going to attract good business and good industry,'' said Cook.

According to Mary Wipert, Director of the Board of Elections in Ironton, people need to be aware that they do not have to declare which political party they prefer.

"They may request an issue-only ballot, which will only have the school board issues on it. They do not have to go in there and declare their politics,'' she said.

Scot Kelley, father of three, plans to vote yes.

"There may have been mistakes made in the past, but if we don't move forward on this now, we're going to be responsible for a bigger mistake,'' Kelley said.

Plans for the new schools include rebuilding both elementary schools, with the middle and high school to have separate buildings with connective walkways like a college campus. Burlington Elementary will remain at its present site and South Point Elementary would be constructed on the high school and middle school property.

"We can envision this plan, we can make the plan and we can design the plan, but it's you the people who are going to be the ones who build the buildings, Cook said. "Because, if you don't say yes…the buildings will not be built."

'The next public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Sybene Multi-Purpose Senior Citizens Center. Herb Young, a consultant for the architectural firm providing the new buildings' preliminary designs, will be a featured speaker.