School project dead? (07/13/07)

Plans for a multipurpose facility/auxiliary gym at Jay County High School are likely to be shelved Monday night.

Superintendent Tim Long this morning said he will not recommend that the Jay School Board contest a remonstrance petition filed against the project, and school board members indicated it's unlikely that they'll go forward at this time.

The proposed $4 million project was approved by the board in May, but organizers of a petition drive were able to secure more than the 100 signatures needed in opposition.

Faced with that remonstrance petition, the board could have decided to reaffirm its earlier decision, which would have launched a competing petition drive similar to one recently conducted in the South Adams school district.

However, Long has concluded that in the current climate it's unwise to contest the remonstrance petition and move forward with the construction project.

"During the course of the last 60 days," Long said in a prepared statement, "citizens statewide have been reacting to the property taxation in Indiana. It is my opinion that in the next few months, within the legislative body, there will be many more developments in this situation. It is important to recognize that people are genuinely hurting with the current system."

Board member Jay Halstead, who had voted in favor of the project, agreed this morning with Long's conclusion.

"I'm in favor of holding off right now and taking a better look at it," Halstead said. "Timing is everything, and now is not the right time."

Long added that he will recommend the board continue to explore ways of funding the multipurpose facility/auxiliary gym from other sources. He cited "existing budgets, existing bond issues and donations" as possible sources for funding.

"We have talked about other ways of financing a multipurpose facility in the past," said board member Greg Wellman.[[In-content Ad]]