hillbilly mom moving for school in Newark, please help? (Columbus: public school, live in)

[urpalmaryann00]

Hi..I live in southern Ohio and will be attending the OSU Newark campus neaxt Fall. My daughter will also be there. I have lived in the columbus area several years ago in Groveport, and also Ashville, but I'm lost past Reynoldsburg. My ex lives in Groveport and I would like to not be too far from Newark or Groveport, so does anyone know what is about mid distance between them? I do not want to be in Newark, because I want to be closer to Columbus, but I don't want to be in columbus either, because I don't want a long drive to school every day . I am thinking about Lancaster. I also have a 10 year old daughter and a 2 year old son, so the public school system is a big issue to me, as is money! I am also very practical and frugal(have to be), so quality of education is much more important to me than "looks", as long as the area is safe. Any ideas to get the most bang for my buck? I will be in school full-time and only work PT. I am moving in early June after my daughter graduates.Thanks so much!