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STEM school plans to expand, move into old Value City store in Kettering

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By Jeremy P. Kelley, Staff Writer Updated 10:14 PM Thursday, March 17, 2011

Dayton’s Regional STEM School, which is aiming for major expansions each of the next two years, plans to move from Beavercreek to a large former Value City store at 1706 Woodman Drive in Kettering.

The public school, in its second year of operation on Pentagon Park Boulevard, teaches middle school and high school students, largely from Montgomery, Greene and Clark counties, with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math.

Spokeswoman Laurie McFarlin said the STEM school hopes to move for fall 2011 classes, coinciding with the addition of two grades and seven jobs to the current staff of 25.

The school has 183 students in grades 8-10, and it plans to add grades 7 and 11 this fall, then grades 6 and 12 in the fall of 2012 to reach its long-term configuration, which could mean 600-700 total students.

“That’s why we’re planning to move; we’re maxed out on what we can accommodate,” she said. “We share a building with Clark State, and we always knew this was a temporary site. They’re ready to expand.”

The school requires prospective students to apply, but there is no entrance exam. If applications exceed capacity, a lottery determines which students are admitted.

The STEM school hopes to close soon on the purchase of the 123,000 square-foot Value City property, which has been vacant since 2008. Kettering Economic Development Director Gregg Gorsuch said city officials have talked to the school, but have not received any permit applications yet.

McFarlin said if the coming months go smoothly, the school thinks it can get required approvals and do renovations in time for fall classes. But if there are problems with the building, STEM would stay put in 2011-12, retaining its existing students as they advance to grades 9-11.

“It should be pretty hectic, but it’s going to be worth it,” she said.

For Kettering, the plan would bring a growing tenant to the largest vacant retail space in the city, continuing a redevelopment trend that has included the Van Buren and Hills and Dales shopping centers, as well as the Defense Electronics Supply Center.

“We’re excited about this possibility for the city,” Gorsuch said. “It ties in well to the adjacent Miami Valley Research Park, and access is easy from anywhere. It’s a very good fit.”

Added McFarlin, “We have ties to all the local universities and the Air Force base, so the notion of being on the edge of the Research Park ties right in with type of school we’re trying to be.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2278 or jkelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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