Lawsuit Challenges
SoRo Gym Vote
By Caleb Byerly

Bill Benoit and David McCullough have filed a lawsuit against the Royalton School Board in an effort to get a new vote on the proposal of the expansion of the South Royalton School gymnasium.

In October, the School Board rejected a petition for a revote, citing a lawyer’s advice, due to the wording of the petition as well as the time of its presentation, which had passed a 30-day limit.

Much of the rationale for the argument against the new gym relates to a struggling state economy. With families under pressure from rising fuel costs and job losses, Benoit feels the timing and costs of the expansion is a mistake.

"The project is right, but the timing is wrong," Benoit said this week. "A few things need to be resolved first."

The new gym project would be funded through a $3.8-million bond issue which would be paid off in taxes over the life of the bond. The gym proposal was approved by a 342-293 vote (representing a third of Royalton’s voting population) in September.

According to Benoit, the money for the project has already been secured by the School Board.

Calls to School Board members Frank Berk and John Olmstead for comment were not returned. Board members have said the school plans to break ground this summer.

Benoit also expressed the concern that with the possibility of the consolidation of schools, South Royalton High School may not be chosen to remain, leaving the town with a new gym and no school.

Supporters of the expansion have said a new gym would increase the town’s appeal to outside residents, which would increase student enrollment.

The gymnasium project would also include other alterations, including a new main entrance and lobby, and a new traffic and parking pattern. The Sept. 11 favorable vote was the third time a new gymnasium had been considered by the voters. Two previous attempts, which were more expensive, had failed to pass.