There exists a difference in the wording between the petitions which brought about the Delphi Community School Corporations' proposed building project referendum, the first in Carroll County. Voters are expected to and should know for what they are voting.

The petition and the question on the ballot differ. The ballot question contains far less information than the petition, yet carries with it a greater responsibility for the voters to understand what the true situation is.

In an effort to provide voters with the most complete and comprehensive information, the petition wording and the ballot question are reprinted for comparison.

The petition reads:

"We, the undersigned owners of real property and/or registered voters in the Delphi Community School Corporation, Carroll County, Indiana, hereby petition requesting the application of a local public question process for the following proposals to lease for a term of twenty-one (21) years with a maximum annual rental of $1,280,000.00 or to issue bonds for a term of twenty (20) years and a maximum aggregate debt service of $21,760,000.00 for the High School/Middle School Facility Improvement Project (as defined and described in the notice published on November 26, 2008, in the Carroll County Comet and the Lafayette Journal and Courier)."

The question on the ballot was determined to not have to include all of the petition nor the public notice advertisement that was in the Comet in November.

The ballot/public question wording as certified by county auditor Beth Myers that will be presented to voters on the ballot is:

"Shall Delphi Community School Corporation issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the renovation and upgrading of the existing facility in which the Delphi Community High School and Delphi Community Middle School is located? Yes No "

Voters in the Delphi Community School Corporation will be deciding whether or not to allow the corporation to proceed with a project that costs $13 million and could cost a total of $21 million if 21 years are needed to pay off the loan.