Marion residents approved a $500,000 bond on Dec. 1 for improvements and expansion at the Marion Elementary School after a previous one failed last year. The mail-in vote resulted in 221 ballots in support of the bond, 190 against.
“We’re very excited,” said principal Justin Barnes. “It means a lot to the staff, the kids and everyone.”
Barnes said the elementary school is in dire need of improvement; currently two classrooms are housed in a modular trailer with no restrooms; counselors and special education tutors are located in the basement of a century-old school house; there are no restrooms that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and the music and physical education programs must share a gymnasium-turned-cafeteria.
Now that the bond has passed, Barnes said school board members and staff will meet with an architect next week at their regular school board meeting to discuss a timeline for construction of a new addition.