Marion board adopts resolutions to put $14.98 million in school bonds before voters on Nov. 5

The School Board of the School District of Marion voted Aug. 12, 2024 to adopt two initial resolutions authorizing general obligation bonds that together would allow the district to borrow up to $14,980,000 and to submit both questions to district electors at the Nov. 5, 2024 referendum.

The board approved Initial Resolution Number I authorizing up to $7,380,000 to pay for district-wide capital maintenance and building infrastructure improvements, accessibility updates and remodeling at the elementary school (including a secure entrance and office), upgrades to science, agriculture and technical education at the high school, and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. It also approved Initial Resolution Number II authorizing up to $7,600,000 for construction of an addition, renovations and site improvements at the elementary school to create a combined elementary/middle school on the current elementary campus and for related furnishings and equipment.

Both initial resolutions were adopted during the Aug. 12 meeting by roll-call vote of members present; the board then adopted a separate resolution directing the district clerk to call a referendum for the regularly scheduled election on Nov. 5, 2024. The referendum resolution instructs the clerk to publish required notices in the Marion Advertiser, to provide ballot forms and specimen ballots to county clerks, and to notify the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction of the election and its results as required by statute.

The board’s action sets the procedural steps required before the questions appear on the ballot, including publication of a Notice to Electors, a Notice of Election and a Notice of Referendum with a facsimile of the sample ballot (the minutes include the sample ballot text and exhibit references). The sample ballot presented in the district attachments contains two separate yes/no questions, one for each initial resolution.

School Board President John Schwartz presided over the meeting; the motions to adopt the initial resolutions and the referendum resolution were moved and seconded by board members in accordance with the minutes and were recorded as adopted. District Clerk Dawn Papendorf is directed to take the statutory steps listed in the resolution to publish notices and coordinate canvass procedures.

Next steps: the questions will appear on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot if the clerk completes the published-notice and filing steps described in the board resolution. The district has provided the full adopted resolution language and the sample ballot as attachments in the meeting record.