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BOURBON - Despite their hopes, Triton School Corp. may find themselves in the midst of a remonstrance over the proposed $13.85 million school renovation project.
Marshall County Auditor Jan Quivey said Monday he has received several calls from those inquiring about forms needed to start the remonstrance process. He said one of those calls was from Tippecanoe Township Trustee Jim Bates.
When contacted Monday, Bates said he was not planning a petition drive, but he said he knows of some residents who are. However, Bates declined to identify those behind the opposition.
"We're not going to publicize that," he said.
The renovation plan was approved Thursday at a public hearing during which several patrons voiced their opposition.
In recent weeks, the school board held three public forums to present the plan and receive feedback from the community. Following the second forum, members reduced the scope of the project from the initial $16 million price tag by eliminating the new gymnasium called for in the original project. Board members said they believed a reduction would prevent the launch of a remonstrance against the project, which they believed would divide the community.
The school corporation has not yet published notice of their approval of the project. Landowners in Triton School District have 30 days from the date of that publication to submit signed petitions against the project to the county auditor. If the auditor verifies that 250 of the signatures are valid, a signature race will be held to decide whether or not the project proceeds.
A remonstrance process already has begun in Plymouth over the proposed $27.9 million Option K plan. At a county commissioners' meeting Monday, Quivey expressed concern at the prospect of handling two building remonstrances at once.
