Ohio University Southern has not abandoned plans to open a child care center, but has moved the project down its list of priorities, said OUS Dean Dan Evans.

The university was allocated $447,950 to open a child care center but asked the state Controlling Board Monday to allow it to use the money for other projects already in the works.

The board, a legislative panel that approves state spending not included in the state's capital or operating budgets, asked for more information about the changes and tabled a decision until its May 19 meeting.

OUS planners would like to use the funds to make $123,000 in improvements at the university owned Ohio Horse Park in Franklin Furnace, including a covered arena, $148,000 to purchase land near the Ironton campus including 2.1 acres along U.S. 52 and State Route 141 and use the remaining $176,950 for other projects such as the Proctorville Center.

"The Controlling Board only has part of the information," Evans said. "Essentially, what the southern campus is doing is changing the priority."

Evans said the university often makes requests to the state for funding several years in advance, and it is often necessary for plans to change.

Three or four years ago, the university planned to renovate the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building in Ironton to use as the day-care, but it was determined that it would cost too much money because the facility was not sufficient for all their needs, Evans said.

"We had to make decisions what to do with this money then," he said. "We just bumped the child care facility down the list."

Evans said he sat down with university officials more than a year ago to discuss these changes because it was clear the university needed to find a better location.

Since then, the university has made progress on a new site by agreeing to lease the former Rock Hill Elementary No. 4 in Hanging Rock, with an option to purchase.

"We are not abandoning this notion of child care. We think it is a major importance for our students, faculty and staff," he said. "This is a major investment, and we have just refocused to make sure it will meet all our goals and provide the broadest range of services."

Evans said the university is currently pursuing grants to help with the development of the former elementary school, and that a child care center will remain a priority over the next two years.

At Monday's Controlling Board meeting, Sen. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo, who sat in for Sen. Robert Hagan, D-Youngstown, at the meeting, said the board needs to be more stringent in approving requests for money.

"We do not want to have these practices of coming before the Controlling Board to be a large loophole," Fedor said. "I feel this is an area of government where we have a dark corner where we need some light shed."

Lisa H. Dodge, president of the state Controlling Board, was unavailable for comment as of press time.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.