DCSC board tours and talks
Taxpayers encouraged to participate
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Delphi Community School Corporation board members and patrons toured many of the high school's academic areas before a work session Monday night. After the tour, the board prioritized options regarding proposed physical asset improvements, many of which dealt with areas they had just seen.

Those on the tour were informed of shortcomings related to academic areas and how other locations could be utilized more efficiently. The group stopped several times along the way to share concerns and ideas with the benefit of looking at the focus of their conversations.

DCSC Superintendent Ralph Walker told the Comet Tuesday he felt the tour helped attendees envision the renovation process.

"The board was able to visualize better together," Walker said. "That helped them talk through it easier."

During the work session, board president Robert Resler visited every item listed on the conceptual design report provided by consulting firm Envoy. He asked board members individually to state whether he or she supported, questioned or disapproved of each point on the $18,462,068 project.

Of the 29 district-wide renovations and additions listed, most were agreed upon as must-haves by the board. Four items were declared alternates - auditorium renovation, kitchen expansion, high school concessions and kindergarten restrooms.

Resler told the Comet Tuesday it was important for members of the public to keep in mind nothing was set in stone and it was important for patrons to be part of the process.

"I think that after last night it is apparent that there are no cut and dried decisions," he stated. "The cost projections that we are using are simply that…based on square footage times a formula that is based from historical construction data and current estimate projections used for commercial projects."

Resler explained before actual costs would be known the board must hold more work sessions, host a 1028 tax hearing, endure and win a remonstrance period, appear before the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), submit for bids and then receive bids.

"We know for a fact no matter what we submit to the DLGF, they will cut it," Resler continued. "All of the advisors we have talked to, including other school corporations that have gone through this process in the last two years have suggested that we submit everything we have talked about. This way you can be assured that you will at least get enough to do what you absolutely have to do."

He went on to say the board listened to the public when it came to unwanted plans and encouraged patrons to take part in the process instead of saying no from the beginning.

"We knew the public would not stand still for the MIF (multiinstructional facility), so we deleted it," he said. "We know no matter what we would submit, there will be a remonstrance. We know there are people already talking this before we even submitted any numbers. We need people to attend the work sessions and listen. It is really bad when very few show up to listen and think about the project, then everyone shows up to voice objections to something that they have not even listened to."

Walker said the corporation would continue to hone options and address patrons' questions leading up to a tour and public forum schedule for Monday at 6 p.m. at the high school. Call the corporation office at (765) 564- 2100 for information.

The DCSC board will offer a tour and public forum Feb. 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the high school commons. The tour will focus on the high school's physical education areas. The forum will include any aspect of the corporation's plans about which patrons wish to speak.

A regular board meeting will be held immediately following the tour and forum.

DCSC Superintendent Ralph Walker encouraged those who would like to tour the facilities at another date to call the corporation office at (765) 564-2100 or high school principal Barry Stone at (765) 564-3481 to schedule a visit.