Update: EVSC Responds to Petition Opposing Strategic Plan

Update: This week, the Vanderburgh County Taxpayers Association used a legal maneuver known as a petition and remonstrance to challenge the EVSCs planned $170 million strategic plan, which was approved by the school board in April. The plan calls for bond issues of $149 million, but would be tax neutral, according to School Superintendent Dr. Vince Bertram. His figures show the school would not need any new revenue sources to pay off the new debt, because it is retiring debt on old bond issues. The money will fund, among other things, a new north side high school and middle school complex to serve overcrowded schools in the northern parts of the county. It also calls for renovation of several older schools, and transition some schools from K-5 format to K-8 format. Members of the Taxpayers Association say the school board and Superintendent should have investigated the impact of redistricting before moving ahead with the spending plan. They say there is a considerable amount of unused classroom space in some schools, and redrawing the districts would allow the corporation to ease overcrowding without costly new construction. The Taxpayers Association turned in a petition this week to county officials with 200 signatures on it. If those signatures are verified as registered voters and/or property owners in the county, they will be allowed to move in to what is called Phase II of the Petition and Remonstrance statute. Phase II allows for a signature "race", in which supporters and opponents try to gather the most signatures in a 30 day period. The side with the most signatures wins. If opponents win, it could delay the strategic plan for a year, and the school board and administration would have to start the process to bond the plan over again.