Patrons of the IKM-Manning School District will head to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 8th, to cast their ballot that will determine the fate of a $19.2-million dollar bond issue to “provide funds to renovate, remodel, repair, improve, furnish and equip” district facilities, including HVAC, safety and security improvements, AND to construct, furnish and equip an addition to the Manning School Building, and to improve the site.

The addition would create a K-12 center, in Manning. School officials say one factor voters may consider, is a drop in interest rates due to the pandemic, that helps the district secure $3.2 million of the project cost without taxing. In addition to the renovation of the elementary section, built in 1958, the bond will also help pay for upgrades in the next few years to the high school, which was added in the 1970s. The District has said the approximate overall tax rate impact for the District, is $2.00 per $1,000 taxable valuation, or an additional $100.45 per year on residential property valued at $100,000, and $180 for Commercial property with the same valuation.

If the referendum fails to garner enough votes to pass, a new vote may be scheduled for a year from Tuesday. In the mean time, the IKM-Manning Board will have to make some tough decisions on budgeting for the needs of both the Manning and Irwin school sites. The polls are open from 7-a.m. until 8-p.m., Tuesday. Polling sites are as follows:

• SHELBY & AUDUBON COUNTY voters: The Irwin Community Building (404 Ann St., Irwin)
• CARROLL COUNTY voters: Sacred Heart Church Hall (203 Sue St., Manning).
• CRAWFORD COUNTY voters: The Manilla Fire Station (553 Main St., Manilla).