Pre-construction work slated for new Milton-Union school

Site preparation set to begin later this month

WEST MILTON — Those waiting for visible signs of progress on the new Milton-Union schools’ K-12 buildings should have something to see this month.

Work is expected to begin on pre-construction site preparation projects such as placing the building pad and extending utilities after bids on the early work are opened mid-month, district Treasurer Chuck Klein said.

“There will be dirt being moved this fall,” he said.

Bidding on the school construction contract is scheduled for early 2010, with construction expected to take two years.

The 217,000-square-foot facility will be built on more than 100 acres at Lowry Field off Milton-Potsdam Road. The facility will consist of three connecting buildings to house elementary, middle and high school students.

District residents last November approved a 1.25 percent earned income tax to pay the district’s $21 million share of the project. The $26.7 million balance will be paid through the Ohio School Facilities Commission.

A formal groundbreaking was held Sept. 25 before the football Homecoming game to allow visiting alumni to attend.

An estimated 700 people attended the ceremony. Among them was Phil Brumbaugh, a great-nephew of Nellie Lowry, who gave the Lowry Field property to the district through her will.

The two-story building will feature shared space — media center, cafetorium, etc. — on the first floor along with classrooms on both floors.

Project updates will be posted on the district Web site at www.milton-union.k12.oh.us.

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