MARION VOTERS SAY NO TO $6.5 MILLION BOND

A general obligation bond that would have infused $6.5 million in new tax revenue into the Marion School District for a major school renovation failed to gain approval in a special election held Tuesday, Jan. 16.

While a majority of voters cast their ballot in favor of the measure, it failed to meet the super majority requirement of 60% for passage.

Votes in favor of the bond were 199 (51.15%) while votes in opposition were 188 (48.83%).

The number of votes needed to meet the 60% requirement was 233.

Of the 1,045 registered voters living in the district, 387 cast their ballots — a turnout of 37%.

News of the bond election results came from Marion Business Manager Crystal Longe just after 8 p.m. Tuesday night following 12 hours of voting. Polls were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. inside the school’s music room, where voters were asked to approve more than half of the cost of the first two phases of a three-phase Master Plan designed to update the school’s campus, the oldest portion of which was built in 1914.

Additions were built in 1939, 1958, 1975, 1983, 1994 and 2000.

As presented, the total cost of Phases 1 and 2 was $11.6 million and would have included a series of improvements, including a new front entrance and commons area, classrooms and office space, new kitchen and library.

In addition to the $6.5 million bond, funding would have also come from capital outlay certificates ($4.05 million) and cash on hand ($1.05 million).

The Marion School Board was scheduled to canvas the election in a special meeting Wednesday morning, Jan. 17.

Watch for more on the district’s plan moving forward when it becomes available.