Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn PPEL measure approved

Voters in the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District on Tuesday voted to extend the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) another decade.

Of the 185 ballots cast, 59.5 percent were in support of the measure. Melvin was the only precinct to vote against it.

"It's a great day to be a Hawk," said H-M-S Superintendent Patrick Carlin. "I'm very proud of all the communities that make up the H-M-S school district. This is a great opportunity to continue to make H-M-S even better for our kids."

Voted on every 10 years, the levy generates revenue for things like improvement of grounds and facilities, construction, lease and purchase of equipment and technology, payment of debts contracted for building construction, and transportation needs. Past projects at H-M-S made possible by PPEL include technology upgrades throughout the district, purchases of buses and other vehicles, gymnasium enhancements, parking lot resurfacing, additional tiling on the north side of the high school, and additional financial support during new building construction.

The levy cannot exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district. The school board reviews and determines the PPEL rate annually based on local needs.

"Our district is blessed to have so much community support to serve and prepare our students for the future," Carlin said. "Thank you to all the communities for their continued passion and support for education."