Green Mountain-Garwin’s 1925 building in Garwin pictured earlier this summer. The building, which houses mostly high school classroom space and is part of a three-building complex, would be replaced beginning in the summer of 2026 if the district is successful in passing a $12.3 million bond referendum this November. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GARWIN – The GMG Community School District Board of Education, at their August 12 regular school board meeting, unanimously passed a resolution to hold a special election on November 5, 2024, to address critical building infrastructure needs within the 1925 portion of the secondary school building.

The passing of the Bond Referendum Resolution at their meeting comes after a petition with 109 signatures from district residents was presented to the Board of Education. The 109 signatures far surpassed the 51 signatures needed for the school board to proceed with holding an election.

The following question will be proposed to eligible voters on the November 5 ballot:

“Shall the Board of Directors of the GMG Community School District in the Counties of Tama and Marshall, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,300,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a classroom addition to the middle school / high school, with related remodeling and improvements and related site improvements, including parking; to remodel, repair, and improve its existing middle school / high school, including life safety systems and ADA improvements”?

“We are excited about the upcoming election and are looking forward to having multiple opportunities to share information with all our community members,” GMG Superintendent Chris Petersen shared. “We are at a critical point with the aging infrastructure needs of the 1925 portion of our high school and I am excited about the potential changes that will enhance and benefit our students’ experience in school, as well as save operational costs by the District. The School Board and I are committed to being open and transparent with our community and share factual information about what this election means for our district.”

The school district plans to provide information to community members via printed materials, website, social media, and community meetings. More information will be available soon and watch for community meeting dates to be announced.

For further information and to stay updated on the latest information related to our school district’s election on November 5, we encourage you to visit our website at www.gmgschools.socs.net and our district’s social media.