In recent months, across Ironton, one issue has been largely considered black and white: The tax levy needed to fund new Ironton schools.

Throughout October and November, city residents debated the merits of approving the $18-million bond levy needed to provide the local matching funds for $30.28 million in funding from the Ohio School Facilities Commission.

Much of the debate centered on the fate of Ironton High School. The proposed project would include the construction of three new schools but would require the demolition of the 83-year-old high school, a plan that generated the most opposition.

A grassroots group,

the Save Our School committee, led the way against the levy, which ultimately failed by less than 200 votes. But now the group has thrown its support behind plans for a slightly modified levy that voters will decide upon in a February.

Organizers of the SOS committee formally endorsed the levy Monday.

Regardless of how you feel about the district’s plans, this show of cooperation and unity will help bring the city closer together and may heal some wounds that were still open.

This effort shows that both sides are willing to swallow their pride a bit and try to find a compromise that will benefit the entire community. School administrators were willing to rework the ballot language and have publicly committed to making every effort to save at least the school’s entrance and auditorium.

On the flip side, the Save our Schools group conceded that the current facility has many accessibility and structural problems and the cost of repaying a renovation plan would likely place too large of a burden on many Ironton residents.

Both sides deserve praise for finding this middle ground. Now the work begins.

The groups will soon begin campaigning for the levy, hoping to convince voters this version of the levy is better because it included more public input, considered other alternatives to demolishing the high school and will feature as much of the old school’s character as possible.

To be successful, school leaders must be honest with residents and not make promises that will not be kept.

If the leaders do this, many more voters will likely join the supporters on that middle ground.