A task force studying the future of the Strongsville School District's buildings could have a recommendation Monday night on a site for a proposed new middle school.

The Facilities Task Force, which developed a $145 million plan to improve and replace Strongsville's school buildings, has spent the last several weeks tackling the issue of where the proposed new middle school should go.

The School Board will meet in a work session at 7 p.m. at the School Administration Building.

Three main locations have been identified, although the choice is not limited to those sites -- a 17-acre school-owned parcel next to Strongsville High School, and the current Center or Albion school properties.

Some officials say the school-owned site is not large enough to accommodate the school and athletic fields.

The new school is a major part of an $81 million bond issue on the November ballot. Voters will be asked to take on the debt to build the new middle school, make some repairs at elementary schools and make major renovations at Strongsville High School.

That would be followed in a few years by a second bond issue that would pay to build three new elementary schools and renovate Muraski and Kinsner.

Business Manager Mark Donnelly is interviewing architects this week, with hopes of bringing in a firm soon to oversee the planning of the new middle school.

School officials say now is the time to consider a ballot issue because an existing bond issue is expiring, meaning the $81 million bond would only raise property taxes about $18 a year for every $100,000 in home valuation.

The Facilities Task Force is made up of school officials and residents.