Tim Shay is a retiree and homeowner in Eastern Lancaster County School District, and he isn't pleased with a decision made by members of his school board.

Shay said he was "disappointed and somewhat outraged" by the board's decision May 29 to reject money generated by the state's legalized slot machine industry that would have helped reduce residents' property tax bills. The decision made Elanco the lone school district in Pennsylvania to forgo the state funding.

At tonight's monthly school board meeting, Shay will present a petition calling for the resignation of board members who acted against the wishes of the majority of residents by voting down the gaming money, he said. Shay on Sunday night said he didn't know the total number of petition signers.

"I personally think that (certain members of the school board) ... are trying to make a statement," he said, "and I don't think their statement was well-received."

In a 5-3 vote May 29, the Elanco board rejected the funds — amounting to $441,818 for the district — and condemned gambling, saying the district "should not be associated in any manner with the social ills associated with slot machine operations."

The board's action means the owners of 6,644 properties who qualified for farmstead and homestead exemptions won't get a $66.53 reduction on their 2008-09 tax bills.

The petition points out that 72 percent of district residents applied for the exemptions.

"However, some members of the school board found it appropriate to impose their own religious convictions into this decision, called a special meeting of the board and ultimately disregarded the will of the majority of the taxpayers by voting not to accept the funds," the petition states.

Last week, some Elanco residents were angered by an insert included with their 2008-09 property tax bills. The insert restates the board's position that it "should initially decline to accept tax revenues from slot machines" and allow voters to address the issue in a referendum vote in the November election.

Under state law, the district must ask its residents if Elanco should accept tax-relief money in 2009-10. Even if voters in November reject the board's action, Elanco can't recoup the $441,818 earmarked for the district for 2008-09; that money has been returned to the statewide funding pool for next year's tax relief.

The insert also states the board believes accepting gaming money would be contrary to public interest and that the district should not be "associating in any manner with the social ills associated with slot machine operations."

Shay said he would not have been offended to receive such a note from a church organization or a group opposed to gambling, but he said he felt the board went too far.

"To see something like this coming from a government body ... will just make you flabbergasted when you read it," Shay said.

School board treasurer Thomas Wentzel said Sunday that he wasn't aware of the petition.

He said he had received no phone calls and only one e-mail from an angry resident regarding the gaming-money vote. Attempts to reach other school board members Sunday were unsuccessful.

Wentzel said the board anticipates a large crowd for tonight's 7 p.m. meeting, so it was moved from the board room to the community hall.

He said that in his 13 years as a board member he's been part of other decisions that had great economic impact on residents.

But he said he understands that tough economic times make every dollar important to residents.

Wentzel said he had signed up for both the homestead and farmstead exemptions for his farm.

But "if we can make a stand and want to make a statement that this wasn't setting a good example to fund our schools, then so be it — we'll be the board that does that," he said.

E-mail: myoder@lnpnews.com