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OUR CHALLENGES
Aging facilities and declining enrollment are two of the primary challenges the East Marshall Community School District continues to face. These same issues affect other rural school districts across Iowa, and they often require creative and difficult decisions to be resolved.
East Marshall CSD currently maintains three campuses in three communities: the elementary school in Laurel, a middle school in Gilman, and the high school in Le Grand. For more than three decades, this model has served the district well and successfully educated generations of students.
However, certified enrollment has declined dramatically over the past decade. During the 2012-13 school year, we served 913 students. In the 2024-25 school year, that number has dropped to 590 students — a 35% decline that has cost us $2.26 million in annual state funding.
The enrollment crisis is accelerating. The district has lost 52 students just in the past year, and our facilities are now sized for nearly twice as many students as we currently serve.
THE FACILITY CRISIS
All three of the district's schools have critical infrastructure needs due to age and deferred maintenance. A thorough review of our schools by architects, engineers, an advisory task force, and district officials was undertaken in 2023 and updated in 2025. The challenges are severe.
Critical Infrastructure Failures:
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Classes being CANCELED due to excessive heat from failing HVAC systems
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Students and staff must "dress for classroom temperature"
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Safety systems compromised by buildings that cannot be properly secured
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Students taking tests in HALLWAYS due to lack of adequate space
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Parts becoming UNAVAILABLE for aging systems, making repairs impossible
Financial Reality:
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Supporting three buildings for 590 students is unsustainable
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Emergency repairs needed: $6.9 million just for urgent/required fixes
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These would be temporary solutions requiring repeated investment every 5-10 years
THE CHOICE BEFORE US
After extensive community input following the failure of the November 2024 bond referendum, we have developed a comprehensive plan that addresses the top community concerns.
The middle school in Gilman presents the most significant challenge. While we understand the emotional attachment to this facility, the building requires extensive investment that our reduced enrollment cannot justify. However, responding directly to community input, we now offer four specific options for the Gilman building:
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Base Plan: Interior remodel (gym, district office, locker rooms, concessions, etc.) - $1,835,000 (funded by G.O. Bonds) + Demolition - $555,000 (funded by SAVE) = $2,390,000 total
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Extra Option #1: Just demolition + HVAC room addition - $805,000 total (all from SAVE funds)
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Extra Option #2: Demolition + HVAC room + 2,500 sq ft wrestling/multipurpose room - $1,305,000 total (all from SAVE funds)
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Extra Option #3: Demolition + HVAC room + 5,000 sq ft wrestling/multipurpose room - $2,055,000 total (all from SAVE funds)
These options ensure Gilman residents have specific choices rather than an abandoned building.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR CHANGE
In our May 2024 community survey, 76.6% of respondents supported closing a building for efficiency. Among parents with children currently in the district, support was even higher at 79.4%.
The survey also showed strong financial support, with residents willing to invest an average of $21.9 million and pay an average of $181 annually in additional taxes.
THE URGENCY IS REAL
Every month of delay costs approximately $115,000 in construction inflation. Every semester of delay means more families choosing other districts with modern facilities.
We face a clear choice:
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Path 1: Continue operating unsustainable facilities until forced closure by the state
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Path 2: Right-size our facilities now and invest in modern, efficient campuses that can attract families back to our district
If the bond referendum is approved by the district's voters on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, construction would begin in 2026, allowing us to consolidate to two highly functional campuses that can serve our community for the next 50+ years.
This isn't just about buildings — it's about the survival and future growth of our school district.
