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STATE CENTER -- Voters in the West Marshall Community School District went to the polls in a special election to renew the district $1 per $1,000 voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) on Tuesday, and according to unofficial results provided by the Marshall County Auditor/Recorder's Office, the measure passed with approximately 58 percent support, well above the simple majority needed.
The voter-approved PPEL is renewed every 10 years, and it passed with 73 percent approval a decade ago. PPEL funds are used to pay for infrastructure, equipment and long-term facility improvements. The unofficial results indicated that 424 of the 733 voters who cast a ballot (57.84 percent) supported the renewal with the following breakdowns by polling place -- 18 yes, 28 no absentee, 65 yes, 68 no in Clemons, 136 yes, 83 no in Melbourne and 205 yes, 130 no in State Center. The turnout rate among all eligible voters in the district was 23.38 percent.
Last November, voters also approved a $14 million bond vote last November that, when paired with $7 million in Securing an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) bonds, will finance a new K-5 elementary building, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing connecting the middle and high schools and a new drop off and parking area at the elementary school. That measure received the support of 62.6 percent of voters, eclipsing the 60 percent supermajority needed for bond referendums in the state of Iowa.
The official West Marshall Facebook page issued a statement about the results on Wednesday morning, noting that nearly 200 more voters cast ballots this time around than in 2017.
"The WMCSD Administration and Board of Education wish to extend our sincere 'Thank You' for your support in the extension of PPEL funding, allowing the district to continue maintaining and improving our physical structures and equipment. The engagement in this vote shows the importance of heading to the polls regardless of your viewpoint on the levy," it reads. "As with the previous vote, the district is fortunate to have your support and we look forward to the future opportunities this allows our students as we 'Prepare Students Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow.'"