We have another opportunity to invest in Marshalltown, as a place to work, play and grow. Our school board is seeking passage of a bond issue to Rebuild and Reimagine Miller Middle School. What’s better than investing in our kids and our town? I strongly support the decision to move on this; if not now, when? The reasons to vote YES on November 5 are many.

1. Miller is 99 years old with a classic exterior structure, but inside it is outdated for today’s learning. The old bones of Miller are in fantastic shape and cannot be replaced.

2. 70% of our Miller students live on the north side of town. To build new on the south side would require buying more land and create a busing nightmare.

3. To a family with young children considering relocating here, Miller, as it is today, could be a dealbreaker. It could give the wrong impression of how we value education and our youth. We owe it to our employers to offer the best possible educational environment when recruiting employees.

4. Thirty years ago, the community voted against closing Franklin Elementary School by passing a bond issue to rebuild and update the existing building. This spurred additional investment in the neighborhood. Today, we have two beautiful and classic Franklin Field ticket booths, an award-winning 13th Street District, ECHO in the Park, and a rebuilt West End Park. This illustrates how investing in our neighborhood schools has present and future benefits.

5. A new building on the south side would have fewer cubic feet, one gymnasium and would not include an Auditorium. The bond issue provides for so much more. The new-like building would include two gymnasiums and a one-of-a-kind auditorium. A new building including these important features of educational needs as well as community needs, would be cost prohibitive. Additionally, the bond issue provides a renovated Franklin Field and a complete update of audiovisual equipment in all elementary schools.

6. Marshalltown is very adept at reimagining classic buildings. Consider the Coliseum, Courthouse, and the Marshalltown School District Administration building. It’s also important to consider the negative impact the vacant Miller Middle School building would have on Marshalltown if a new build was done.

7. The property tax impact is less than $10.00 per month on a $200,000 home.

Let’s vote YES! It is time to Reimagine Miller Middle School! MarshalltownCSDFuture.com.