During the Marshall School Board meeting on Monday, November 25, board members batted around the possibility of putting an issue on the upcoming Municipal Election ballot for upgrades to athletic fields.
Superintendent Dr. Carol Maher, who pointed out this is not a recommendation by the administration but simply gathering three options for turfing of the football fields at the high school and perhaps at Bueker Middle School and other athletic additions. The options range in estimated cost from $3.7 million for Option 1; to $2.3 million for Option 2; and to $1.3 million for Option 3.
In the end, the board voted to approve looking into pursuing Option No. 1, including gathering input from community members and district employees.
According to information from Dr. Maher, approximately $17,057 is raised by every penny added to the tax levy. So, in order to fund Option No. 1, the school district’s levy- currently at $3.12 per $100 of assessed valuation on real and personal property- will need to be raised by approximately 44 cents; for Option No. 2, the levy increase will need to be approximately 27 cents; and for Option No. 3, the levy will need to be increased by 16 cents. Each increase has a five-year sunset.
If the board decides to put an issue on the April ballot, it must be approved and submitted to the county clerk’s office by no later than January 28, 2020.