BEAVERCREEK — School board members decided Thursday, Aug. 7, to take a third shot at passing a tax issue to build and renovate schools, but this time the request is smaller.

Board members voted unanimously to place a $84 million bond issue before voters in the fall. The request is 7 percent less than the past two measures that were narrowly defeated in March 2008 and November 2007.

Both were close to $90 million.

Plans for a new preschool to serve the growing youth and special needs populations were left out of the plan in hopes state and federal legislators can win funding support for the school that officials insist is important to families relocating as part of the Base Realignment and Closure legislation.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has some of the best medical facilities for children with special needs, Beavercreek school officials have said.

The district's plan now is to build a new middle and elementary school and renovate other buildings in the district which is overcrowded by more than 1,000 students and growing.

Superintendent Dennis Morrison said 122 additional students have indicated they plan to attend Beavercreek schools since classes ended in the spring. "Obviously this is a situation that is not going to go away," Morrison said.

A school growth consultant told district officials in July that Beavercreek could expect as many 9,000 students by 2018 — a 17 percent increase from current enrollment of 7,500.

The county auditor still must calculate the actual millage of the request and determine the cost to property owners.

Contact the reporter at (937) 225-2342

or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com