If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

That's the attitude adopted by the Ironton City School Board, who took the first step toward returning an $18 million bond issue and tax levy to the ballot in February during a meeting Saturday afternoon.

The board unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the necessity of the bond issue and tax levy to build three new schools for the district. The $18 million figure was submitted to the county auditor who will declare the millage necessary for the issue, which will determine how much each resident will have to pay.

The figure from the auditor's office is expected to be the same as that placed on the November ballot: 8.74 mils. The cost to the average homeowner with property with an assessed value of $50,000 would be $133.83 annually, or $11.15 a month.

The board will meet on Monday at 6 p.m. and vote on whether or not they will approve the figure, and place the issue on the ballot.

What school officials were emphasizing Saturday was that the board has not solidified its plans for the new buildings, and that it would work with the community on what the future will look like for Ironton's school facilities.

&#8220It does not lock us into where the buildings have to built, all that it does is that it assures us that we can build three new buildings,” Ironton City Schools Superintendent Dean Nance said.

Even the amount of the loan isn't fixed, exactly. The $18 million borrowed is enough to demolish all ICS buildings (save for Tanks Stadium and the Conley Center) and build new schools and a 600-seat auditorium. But as plans evolve, Nance said that figure could shrink.

&#8220Just because you ask to borrow $18 million doesn't mean you have to use all that,” Nance said. &#8220Any money that we were able to save by not tearing something down could come off of the length of the loan, or it could come off of the individual citizens' tax amount or it could go back into the project.”

One of the plans offered Thursday for the schools was from the Ironton Port Authority who suggested finding alternative sites for the new high school, and renting the current IHS building out to some other group.

Organizer of the Save Our Schools committee Mark McCown was on hand at Saturday's meeting to attempt to drum up support from the school board for the Ironton Port Authority's plan.

&#8220What we need to do, obviously, is work together over the next several weeks before we get into the election cycle to develop this idea,” McCown said. &#8220We'd like a commitment from the board that they're willing to work with the port authority, and if they're willing do that then, certainly, I've indicated before I'll go door-to-door to help them get this levy passed.”