Voters approved both questions on the ballot Tuesday in the levy referendum for the Glenville-Emmons School District.

In the first question, whether to revoke and replace the existing referendum of $1,377.06 per pupil with the same amount, 65% — or 506 people — voted yes, while 35% — or 272 people — voted no, according to unofficial results from the Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office.

In the second question, whether to add $402.44 per pupil to that operating revenue, 60.5% — or 468 people — voted in support, while 39.5% — or 306 people — voted against.

“It’s great news,” said Glenville-Emmons Superintendent Brian Shanks. “It is a real positive for the school district that we’ve got a little breathing room, an opportunity that we can explore some things we haven’t been able to do for a while.”

Shanks said in an earlier interview that the money could go toward things such as increasing curriculum offerings, updating curriculum or revisiting projects put off due to lack of funds, though it had not yet been specified.

He thanked everyone who voted and said good turnout made all the difference in the election.

The vote came one year after another levy attempt for Glenville-Emmons when the district asked voters for an additional $358 per pupil operating levy. That vote failed with a 56.23% vote no.

The district hosted informational meetings for residents in the weeks leading up to the election.

In Tuesday’s election, voters at Glenville City Hall — which included the cities of Glenville and Myrtle, along with the townships of Albert Lea, Freeman, Hayward, London, Oakland and Shell Rock — voted with higher support than voters at Emmons City Hall — which included the cities of Emmons and Mansfield and townships of Nunda and Pickerel Lake.

The questions passed with 78.9% and 75.1% support of the voters at Glenville City Hall. On the opposite side, 76% and 84.3% voted against out of the group that voted at Emmons City Hall.

Adding $402.44 per pupil to the referendum was expected to add between $50 to $55 annually in taxes on a Glenville property worth approximately $70,000, according to a tax calculator provided on the district’s website. The calculator used 2018’s property assessment values.

 

Election results

Glenville City Hall     YES     NO

Question 1                         459       123

Question 2                         438       145

 

Emmons City Hall      YES      NO

Question 1                          47          149

Question 2                          30         161

 

Total                                 YES      NO

Question 1                           506       272

Question 2                           468       306

— Numbers are unofficial results from the Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office