March 28, 2024

PCM school district to hold special election

School district asks voters to re-purpose revenue, vote on school board members

Prairie City-Monroe school district will be having a special election on Tuesday, June 25, to adopt a new revenue purpose statement.

Currently, Prairie City-Monroe residents pay a 1 percent sales tax to the school district. District officials are looking to redirect that revenue toward school infrastructure, property tax relief and the issuance of bonds.

The 1 percent “penny tax” is already implemented by the state. If the revenue purpose statement is approved, it would not implement a new tax but it would redirect revenue to a new area of the school’s budget.

The school district currently has a revenue purpose statement, which would be replaced by the new statement if approved by voters. Details regarding the current revenue statement were unavailable by press time.

Additionally, two school board members, Grant Hjortshoj, District 5, and Steve Nearmyer, District 7, were appointed by Superintendent Jane Babcock after the originally elected officials resigned.

Hjortshoj is not seeking election. Instead, Twyla Flickinger and Jill Witt are running in district seven. In district five, Steve Nearmyer faces challenger Zachary Pendroy.

Polls will open on Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters in precinct one — which consists of Prairie City, Des Moines Township, Mound Prairie Township and Washington Township — can vote at the Prairie City Community Building. Voters in precinct two — which consists of Monroe, Reasnor, Elk Creek Township, Fairview Township and Palo Alto Township — can vote at Monroe City Hall.