Published: February 19, 2008 10:37 pm         

Clay County schools moving on $26.3 million plan

TERRE HAUTE — The Clay Community School Board on Monday voted unanimously to move forward with a $26.3 million renovation project that focuses on elementary schools.

“Now, it’s in the hands of the community,” board president Terry Barr said Tuesday.

Opponents have the opportunity to block or delay the project through a petition/remonstrance process.

“I hope there is no remonstrance and the project isn’t delayed,” Barr said. “I believe the community is behind it” and eventually it will move forward.

The board conducted several meetings and accepted much public input before agreeing on the project approved Monday, she said.

A remonstrance “will delay and take money away from the project,” Barr said.

The project would renovate seven elementary schools in the corporation and update security for all 10 schools.

The various building projects would eliminate portable classrooms at elementary schools; address safety and security entry conditions at all schools; provide facility equity at the elementary level; and avoid long-term debt repayment.

All projects would be funded through a single bond issue to be paid off in 81/2 years.

Interest costs are estimated at $5 million, making the total repayment $31 million.

More than 20 people addressed the board Monday, including interested citizens and school-district employees.

Today, a notice of preliminary determination will be published in three local newspapers.

Registered voters or those owning property in the school district have 30 days to circulate a petition to request a remonstrance. At least 100 signatures would be needed, said bond counsel Jeff Qualkinbush of Barnes and Thornburg law firm.

If 100 people sign, the School Board could withdraw the project and wait a year to have another hearing.

It also could accept the petition as valid, and then a 60-day petition and remonstrance process would begin.

At the conclusion, whichever side has the most signatures would win. If those opposed have more signatures, the project is on hold for a year.

A delay caused by a remonstrance could have a $2 million to $4 million price impact, which means the scope of the project would have to be reduced, Qualkinbush said.

The board has agreed that $26.3 million is the maximum to be paid for the construction project.

A delay likely would mean increased construction and interest costs, said Tom Reberger, Clay Community Schools director of buildings and grounds. The goal is to go to bid around November.

“We encourage the community not to remonstrate against this program because it will delay the project and increase the costs,” Reberger said.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.