MARION VOTERS TO DECIDE BOND ELECTION TUESDAY
60% majority required to approve $6.5 million for building project
School leadership in Marion will know by this time next week whether they will be proceeding with the first two phases of a three-phase plan that would dramatically improve the aged and cobbled-together campus, part of which has been in use since 1914.
A special general obligation bond election will take place next Tuesday, Jan. 16, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. inside the school’s music room. The official notice of election is published on page 5B.
Voters are being asked to approve $6.5 million in additional tax revenue that would fund more than half of Phases 1 and 2 of the project estimated to cost $11.6 million.
A 60% majority is required to pass the bond. If approved, construction could begin this year.
As proposed, the balance of Phases 1 and 2 would be paid for using $4.05 million capital outlay certificates (which does not include an increase in taxes and is not subject to a public vote) and $1.05 million cash on hand.
Based on information shared at a public meeting late last year by Tom Grimmond from Colliers (the bonding company), the tax implications for the $6.5 million bond would be (on average) $1.18 per thousand of taxable valuation. That’s an average of $2.34 per acre based on an average taxable valuation of $318,000; a home assessed at $100,000 would pay an additional $118 in taxes, or $9.83 per month.
Brian Brosnahan, who is in his first year as superintendent at Marion, notes that the proposed amount is an average, so patrons who are interested in more specific numbers are encouraged to contact the Turner County Auditor’s Office.
More details
The Marion School District has been working with CO-OP Architecture on a Master Plan since early in 2023 that included two public informational meetings later in the year.
As proposed, Phases 1 and 2 would come in the next one to five years and include:
- The demolition of 1914 structure
- A new front entrance and administrative and classroom addition
- A library, kitchen and commons addition
- Renovated restrooms
- Renovated locker rooms
- Relocated weight room
- Exterior shop improvements
- Playground improvements
As proposed, Phase 3 would be pursued following the completion of Phases 1 and 2 and cost an estimated $2.5 million, bringing the total cost of the Master Plan to $14 million.
Phase 3 would be completed in the next five to 10-plus years and include:
- A new bus garage to be relocated on 1st and Juniper
- Removal of the 1975 shop building
- The connection of the vo-ag shop to the main school building
- A new playground adjacent to school
For now, however, school officials have been focusing on the immediate need and the bond election that is critical to the project as presented. The Marion School Board voted unanimously at its regular November meeting to put the issue before the voters.
Statement from Brosnahan
Brosnahan says the time is right for an upgrade to a campus that, in addition to the 1914 structure, includes additions built in 1939, 1958, 1975, 1983, 1994 — the biggest of them all that includes the main gym — and 2000.
“The Marion School District is continuously striving to meet the needs of its students, and our staff works to support and challenge each of our students every day,” Brosnahan wrote in a statement, noting the positive direction in which the district is heading.
Student enrollment in Marion is up, he said, with this year’s K-12 enrollment more than 200 for the first time in many years. Not only that, he said, but the district provides a robust curriculum designed to set students up for success.
“We provide many opportunities for our students to excel, provide upper-level math and science courses, along with a vast number elective and CTE opportunities (family/consumer sciences, agriculture, welding, art, etc.), are re-establishing our FFA Chapter, and are continuously striving to find new opportunities for our students and staff to excel together,” Brosnahan said, noting that additional programs are planned in the future.
“Many of the new courses/opportunities are ideas that have been voiced by our students, which is exciting for us,” he continued. “The school district is focused on our students’ achievement and will continue to look for ways to help them learn/grow/succeed.”
Brosnahan said the proposed building project would only enhance that experience.
“The general obligation bond that is being asked for will provide updated learning spaces, further instill additional pride into our school and community, create a more effective public library/area for the community to utilize, create enhanced usability and increase “flow” throughout the building/halls, and assist our extra-curricular sports programs with facilities set up to effectively host games and tournaments,” he said. “I’m really excited to see how the community turns out for this bond vote. I understand that asking for a tax increase can be an unpopular thing, yet, I/the school board believe that investing in our building will set the district up for continued growth and longevity as there has been very little renovations or updates done to the building over the last 20 (or so) years.”
Brosnahan hopes to see a strong turnout next Tuesday regardless of how the voter feels about the bond issue and notes the easiest way to access the polling place (music room) is through the high school gym doors on the northeast side of the building and taking an immediate left.
“We need all voters in the community of Marion to cast their vote and communicate how we should proceed with our school and district,” he said. “I appreciate that the community has this opportunity to have a say in the school’s direction and I am excited to see the outcome on Tuesday the 16th!”
