BOURBON - An effort to block Triton School Corp.'s proposed $13.85 million junior-senior high school building renovation project has been started.

A petition in opposition to the project already has begun collecting signatures at Reichert/Knepp Wrecker Service in Bourbon, according to Liberty Reichert.

Reichert said school district residents are signing the petition because they object to the increase in property taxes the project would bring.

"We're just tired of being taxed," Reichert said.

The school board reduced the scope of the project from an original estimate of $16 million to its current scope by eliminating the building of a new gymnasium from the plan. Board members said their compromise was to avoid dividing the community.

Reichert said the board's concession was not enough. "It's pretty much divided the community already," he said.

To begin the remonstrance process, an opposing petition, signed by 100 residents of Triton School District, must be submitted to the Marshall County Auditor's office by April 3.

Triton Schools Superintendent Ted Chittum said he does not expect the school board will back down from the project if a remonstrance is begun.

"I would anticipate we would pursue the process," Chittum said. "The needs aren't going to go away."

During a public forum and the 1028 hearing to present the proposed project, several patrons said if a remonstrance was begun, they would like to see the gym added to the plan again.

Chittum said Thursday the board would not consider changing the scope of the project again to add the gym. [[In-content Ad]]