New Boston Schools announced this week it has met its filing deadline set forth by Scioto County Board of Elections and will be on the ballot in November asking voters to approve funding for a new school facility.

The Scioto County BOE filing deadline was Aug. 21, and the office confirmed on Thursday, New Boston has filed to be added to the ballot.

Earlier this month, the Ohio State Controlling Board approved state funding of $16.8 million toward a nearly $20 million K-12 facility in New Boston. The local share is about $3.2 million and will be locally funded through a tax levy, put before voters in the November election. New Boston has one year to raise its local funding before the state will deliver its share.

The district is exploring possible locations for its new facility, and New Boston Superintendent Mike Staggs said they now are looking closely at two locations: The pool site on Lakeview Avenue and an area known as "The Horsefield" on Ohio 139, in Portsmouth.

In regards to the pool site, Staggs said the school still needs to explore the legalities of obtaining the property, which is owned by Sun and Funland Pool, Inc. The president of the pool's Board of Directors is Jeff Moore, who also is president of New Boston School Board. In May, Moore said the pool was suffering money problems that prevented it from opening in 2008.

In regards to the horsefield site, Staggs said he's still waiting on approval from Portsmouth City Schools because the land is in its district and would require the district to permit release of the land. Staggs said he has spoken with new Portsmouth superintendent Don Armstrong on the telephone about the issue.

"He seemed very willing to at least consider it, but he's not going to make any commitments ... which I understand," Staggs said.

With less than 90 days left until the election, Staggs said having a site chosen for the new school isn't necessary before the issue goes to the voters, but he still hopes to have one by then. If the issue is passed by the village, ground could be broken in summer 2009 and be ready for students at the start of 2010 school year.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235.