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A NEW ERA
Like many of its peers throughout the state's rural areas, the East Marshall Community School District faces a variety of challenges that result from maintaining older facilities and facing a decline in enrollment and funding.
Our mission is to install a passion for learning with our students that will prepare them to achieve success beyond the classroom. This is made possible by ensuring they have the learning environment, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, our residents will consider a $19.8 million bond referendum. If it's approved by at least 60% of voters on two separate ballot questions, East Marshall CSD will move ahead with a bold plan to reshape education in our communities.
This practical and cost-effective proposal builds on more than two years of facility assessments, research, and community input. After the November 2024 bond was not successful, we listened to community feedback and directly addressed the top concerns: communication, transparency, and specific plans for all our buildings.
The proposed solution on the ballot in November would allow the district to enhance safety and security, expand academic space and programming, consolidate to two efficient campuses, and put East Marshall CSD on a path for future success that allows it to proudly educate future generations of Mustangs.
Take a virtual tour of East Marshall Middle School
COMMUNITY INPUT DRIVES OUR PLAN
In May 2024, the district hosted a community survey to gather valuable feedback from residents about our school facility needs and potential solutions. We also conducted additional facilities committee meetings in July 2025 to address concerns from the previous bond vote.
The 2024 survey was completed by 218 people, of which 75% said they live in the East Marshall district and 71% have children currently attending school at East Marshall CSD.
Facility assessment and planning is not a new venture for district officials. In 2023, an Advisory Task Force that includes community members was created to help provide input on this process and analyze issues affecting East Marshall CSD. An architecture firm, FEH Design, was also engaged to assist with this process.
FEH Design facilitated five meetings with the task force to identify and rank issues that the district is facing. Survey participants were asked to rank these issues based on importance. The top six issues according to survey respondents were:
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Outdated Facilities (7.93/10): All facilities lack 21st century learning classrooms and opportunities. Internet and adaptability is difficult in the old buildings. Building structures are very limiting.
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Air Conditioning/HVAC (7.74/10): Kids have to dress differently for different classes. Classes need to be canceled due to excessive heat. Higher costs for utilities need to be pulled from the General Fund, which pays teachers/staff. Window air conditioners are being used due to the boiler providing excessive heat to some classrooms.
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Staff Recruitment/Retention (7.61/10): Staff shortages statewide make it difficult to recruit. Technology integration issues (ew staff are looking for better technology integration and green generation. Old facilities with old lighting, old HVAC, old furniture, etc. make retention/recruitment difficult.
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Building Maintenance (7.55/10): Large amount of money for the district due to the aging buildings and infrastructure; parts are becoming unavailable for HVAC units and electrical units.
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Usable Space/Flexibility (7.44/10): There's no usable space at the elementary school. Students are put into corridors to take tests at the elementary building.
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School Safety (7.37/10): Buildings are not secured due to HVAC use, resulting in windows being left open. There are also blind corners throughout the buildings, with tight corridors.
For the families of current students, the highest level of support was for the same three areas, but at slightly higher levels of support.
The survey also asked participants if they would be "supportive of the potential of closing a school building to allow the district to be more efficient." 76.6% said yes to a potential closure, while 23.4% said no. Among parents with children in the district, support was even higher, at 79.4%.
ADDRESSING 2024 CONCERNS
Following extensive community input after the November 2024 bond failure, we identified and addressed the three main concerns:
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Communication Breakdown: We have implemented consistent messaging, multiple community meetings, and transparent information sharing.
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Gilman Building Uncertainty: We now offer four specific options for the Gilman building, from basic renovation ($372K) to a full athletics facility ($1.5M).
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Financial Sustainability: We have demonstrated our fiscal responsibility with a 23% levy reduction since 2017, preparing for this investment.
We know that community support remains strong. Survey respondents supported an average investment of $21.9 million and were willing to pay an average of $181 annually in additional taxes.