ST JOHN | Lake Central officials should go ahead with plans for a spring ballot referendum, Lake Central School Board members decided Monday.

House Bill 1001 stipulated that school bond projects that cost more than $20 million should be put before voters in the form of a referendum.

The district completed the first phase of a multiyear renovation and construction project at Homan Elementary School this summer. The second phase of the project -- the expansion and renovation of the Lake Central High School cafeteria -- is slated to begin next spring.

A successful referendum would give the district the money it needs to complete all phases of the project.

The district will have to organize an information campaign so voters will understand why a referendum is needed, Superintendent Gerald Cabot said.

Lake Central students will be good ambassadors, he said.

For the first time, the district is expecting more than 10,000 students when it opens its doors this week, Director of Instruction Tony Arini said.

No final dollar figure has been attached to the referendum proposal beyond the fact that it will top $20 million, officials said.

The referendum would be on the ballot during the special election already scheduled for spring of 2009, meaning that Lake County will pick up the cost, Chabot said.

Also during Monday's meeting, the board formally approved the appointment of Kathi Tucker as principal at Homan Elementary School.

Tucker has served the district as a kindergarten teacher and as dean of students at Homan and Peifer elementary schools. Her starting salary is $91,785.