CROWN POINT | The Lake County elections board declined Tuesday to respond to a complaint the Lake Central High School Web site is being used to promote "yes" votes in the June 16 referendum for $95 million to expand its facilities.

James Ploog, of Schererville, wrote the election board stating the school's Web site contains opinions by School Board members defending their decision to ask the public to finance the construction project and it provides a list of benefits the expansion will provide the community.

Ploog wrote, "Is this promotion of one position a proper use of a taxpayer-funded Web site or is it an unfair attempt to sway the outcome of the referendum?" He states the pro-project material appears to violate state law.

The Web site features "basic voter information," Lake Central School Superintendent Gerald Chabot said Tuesday. "Nowhere do we say to vote yes or no. We provide information about the location of polling places, where to vote and when the date is."

Bruce Lambka, an attorney for the elections board, said state law doesn't forbid school Web pages from taking sides in their referendum. He said the law does require the Web site to give anti-build voices equal access to the site to post their comments. Lambka said it isn't clear if Ploog or other opponents of the construction project were denied access, so the board has no reason to take any action.

Ploog said Tuesday afternoon he now may ask school officials to post his views on the Lake Central Web site.

Sally Lasota, Lake County elections board director, said Tuesday early in-person voting opened Monday, but so far only one vote has been cast at the election board office in Crown Point. Voting will take place June 16 at 25 polling places around Dyer, St. John and Schererville.

The proposed new construction involves expanding the high school and creating a transportation service center.