Delphi Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees decided Monday night to hold a 1028 public hearing to allow comment on a proposed $13 million renovation project. The hearing to be held at the next board meeting, is required by law before the board can proceed to enter into bondage to fund the project.

The split-vote to proceed did not happen without discussion and dissention among board members. Envoy Inc. presented three renovation options for varying amounts of money in a work session prior to the board meeting. According to the Envoy spokesperson, options explained were identical to those presented earlier this year, prior to a remonstrance by opposition against the cost, which eventually halted the project.

Superintendent Ralph Walker explained the school corporation was headed for a referendum vote at the polls in either a primary or general election. The board could also decide the county must hold a special election for the vote. Walker said the referendum was needed to enhance funding options while retaining as much in the capital improvement fund as possible due to a state mandated property tax circuit breaker.

Board members Nick Cronk, Melinda Rossetter and Jim Garrison voted to hold the 1028 hearing for a bond not to exceed $13 million, which would include all costs including loan interest, with a 15-year repayment term. Jerry Sparks, William Trueblood and Chris Nipple voted against holding the hearing immediately. Board president Robert Resler broke the tie vote to proceed with the hearing.

Sparks said he thought another work session was needed to process the information from Envoy more fully and for board members to have a sense of unison before proceeding.

"I feel we're split here," he said prior to the vote. "We need to get our minds together about this project. I cannot support this tonight."

Sparks emphasized he was not against some renovations but he was not comfortable with choosing a dollar amount without having more of a plan.

"It's time for the rubber to hit the road," Cronk said in response. "How many work sessions do we need?"

Rossetter said she thought the board should pick a funding amount that the public could support and move on.

However, Nipple disagreed. "At this time, I don't think $13 million is something we can stick our necks out for," he said.

"If we don't do something now, we might as well forget it," Resler said as he broke the tie vote.

The 1028 hearing will be Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the high school commons.

Other business

Board members unanimously approved the proposed 2009 budgets. Walker said the tax rate would decrease due to debt retirement and state imposed controls.

A new air handling unit for $49,978 will be installed in the middle school gym. It will provide heat but no air conditioning. The installation is scheduled to be completed in mid-November.

A Delphi Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) memorandum of understanding between the school corporation and the teachers union was approved. Teachers will be allowed to participate in a voluntary tax shelter.

Non-certified staff approved for employment were:

• Katherine Volkel and Jacinda Garrison - middle school student council advisors; and

• Sarah Hoss - middle school SADD advisor.

During the public comments portion of the meeting after the business was finished, county resident Kevin Kremer thanked board members for the openness shown in the discussion about the proposed renovation project. He commented that it was frustrating for audience members to hear only a vote without hearing how each board member viewed the topic at hand.

"This is much appreciated by the public," he said.

The next meeting will be Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the high school commons area.