EDDYVILLE, IOWA -- One Iowa school district hopes to combine its resources.
The Eddyville-Blakesburg school district will hold a referendum on September 13 to make Fremont elementary part of the district. If approved, the move would effect 100 students.
Superintendent Dane Cook says in order for smaller schools to survive they need to adapt and share resources.
“Districts aren’t going to grow by having more kids,” said Cook. “You’re going to have to learn to work together. Reorganization is going to be the key for a lot of us to stay viable as districts.”
Cook says this is a long-term solution to help the schools. Fremont already shares teachers with Eddyville-Blakesburg.
Cook says he isn’t campaigning for one position but he does want to see residents come out to voice their opinions. If approved Fremont taxpayers will have a lower tax rate.
“They’re definitely going to see a difference in their taxes. Their taxes are going to go down. (Eddyville-Blakesburg’s) tax will probably stay pretty stable.”
Cook said if the measure is approved there is a chance that taxes could rise slightly between .10 and .25 cents.