Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part editorial column regarding the West Marshall bond referendum written by Jacy Large.

Part One: “What is the goal of our (West Marshall’s) school system?”

This is a question any individual who has served as an educator, board member or on a facilities committee in the past 10 years at West Marshall has been asked. The top answers given in this time are:

To offer superior academics and rigorous programming within a safe learning facility and instructional environment.

To become a decorated school in academic programming and ALL activities where 80% or more students participate in fine arts, athletics, and/or clubs and organizations, outside of the traditional bell to bell school day.

To give graduates a reason to come back and watch their own children thrive by being offered competitive real-world experiences beyond those of the previous generations who attended West Marshall.

AND…accomplish all of these items with the least amount of property tax funds as possible!

Even though we are within a week of our November 4th bond election, I continue to have conversations with community members to help them understand our second attempt to seek the $14 million dollar bond referendum. No matter how the conversation starts, there is a genuine appreciation to have learned a little more about the “details in the weeds”. I have personally dedicated the past 25 years (my entire career) to public schools. In those 25 years of working for 6 different districts in varying capacities–2 districts as a classroom teacher and 4 as a school administrator — I have never been affiliated with a school bond where ALL school board members unanimously vote to support said bond and secondly, this is the first referendum I’ve been involved with that supports academic facilities ONLY, meaning we are not attempting to build infrastructure for any extracurricular venues.

One thing is certain, all stakeholders need to vote in order to achieve these goals at the local level. The one true way to determine how we function as a district will be your vote and I emphasize this with each person I speak with, and how very important it is that each and every one of you make the time to vote on Tuesday, November 4th. This allows for present and future planning so we know what direction our School Board members and myself need to focus on as priorities for the district.. The opportunities we are able to provide to our students with the established and increasing regulations are all determined by these votes.

Votes at the state level for educational funding: When we read the headlines from the lens of a small town we should recognize that lawmakers and governing bodies, rather than voting on the specific needs of an individual district, vote on educational measures by categorizing all districts as one large school district across the state. Many people have heard me say over and over, when an education bill is signed by the governor, the bill more directly impacts about 30 of the largest school districts in the state of the 325 districts in total. This equates to funding decisions for approximately 240,000 students attending those largest school districts of the 480,000 total students attending Public Schools. Unlike West Marshall, the basic necessities of these districts are backed with vast commercial and/or residential development, generally increasing student enrollment year-over-year, and an economic infrastructure that drives statewide decisions.

Now let’s look at the smallest 30 school districts in Iowa. If lawmakers drove the necessities of laws based on the 30 smallest districts, do you have any guess on how many students this impacts? Approximately 6,200. So as lawmakers determine funding, allocations, and current property tax law, it is easy to put into perspective what districts influence or are influenced by a single law (bill). If state-level educational decisions continue in this same manner, the real question is not IF districts will consolidate and shut their doors, but WHEN and HOW SOON? Imagine the impact for you as a business owner…how many years, months, or days would you be able to remain open?

Take 325 public school districts, subtract 30 of those above mentioned larger districts and what remains? 295 school districts with only 3,300 students or less enrolled/attending each district.

Long story short, our current system is equal throughout the state as all districts are subject to the same regulations, educational laws, and measuring tool (Iowa School Performance Profiles) regardless of size. However, simply depending on where you live, state funding is generated differently based on the State of Iowa School Funding Formula.

At West Marshall, generations of stakeholders have found purpose and meaning to support kids. For many graduates, our paths did not stray too far from home. While choices to leave may have provided career opportunities elsewhere, we were confronted with the decision as to whether a new location would reward our children with the same values fostered with Trojan Pride. Even though West Marshall is no stranger to a lack of available housing and minimal commercial growth, many reflected on their own upbringing and still chose to return, wanting the same small town experience and desired success to be instilled in their children. Our district also welcomes new families who choose our communities and choose to become a Trojan for all these same reasons.

Part Two: The funding breakdown for capital projects

When school districts operate under specific laws, we must adhere to those laws for funds used towards Capital Projects (Facility-Improvements). For West Marshall the following funds are available for Capital Projects:

1. Board Approved PPEL $0.33/$1,000 taxable value = $120,244

• This was typically used to offset expenditures from our general fund. This would allow schools to buy a school bus, complete roof repairs/maintenance or fix/repair sidewalks and parking lots. The dollar amount generated today will not cover the total cost of one 77-passenger school bus that we bought 2 months ago at the lowest bid of $140,120.

• Funding through local property tax

2. Voter Approved PPEL $1.00/$1,000 taxable value = $364,375

• This levy is required to be voted on by the public every 10 years. It also can be used for smaller projects/repairs or pay as you go projects, such as our High School HVAC system completed in 2019, the rebuilds of our softball and baseball dugouts and updated fencing in 2024, and the recent resurfacing of our track in September.

• Funding through local property tax

3. S.A.V.E. Secure an Advanced Vision for Education = $880,000

• Calculated annually, this fund comes from state sales tax and is generated from our district’s actual enrollment. This fund is used to make our payments towards current debt. After the remaining 2010 middle school bond and remaining portion of our High School HVAC system project debt are paid off, we will have approximately $475,000 to put in our savings account.

• Funding through State Sales Tax based on student enrollment.

• Because the S.A.V.E Fund Bill has been extended through 2050, it allowed the board to allocate $7 Million for the next 20 years to help pay for a NEW Elementary and C.T.E. connection.

• This $7 million helps offset a portion of the local property tax needed for the 2025 bond referendum.

4. An additional option for districts to generate funding is through a General Obligation Bond (which is also funded by property tax).

Part two will be printed in Thursday’s T-R.