The biggest surprise to me as a voter in the 2022 election was the result of the Marshall Public Schools operating levy referendum.

The referendum failed by a vote of 2,808 to 2,186. Both the result and the margin were a surprise because it seemed like the school district did everything right in its attempt to reach out to the public.

Officials spoke to community groups, emphasizing that the measure was designed to maintain existing services rather than expanding into new ones.

Letters of support in our newspaper far outnumbered those in opposition. No one presented a reason to oppose the operating levy other than just not wanting a tax increase.

I think the biggest obstacle the school district faced was having to ask for more tax dollars one too many times. The operating levy request came less than two years after voters approved the bond issue to construct Southview Elementary School to replace West Side Elementary.

The same thing happened in the 1980s several years after the construction of Park Side, as a levy referendum was voted down in 1989.

Many voters in each case didn’t seem to realize that public schools need both. They need modern up-to-date buildings, as well as an adequate funding base for programs and services.

Without the levy, the district will probably have to increase class sizes. Research shows that class size makes a big difference in the amount of personal attention teachers can provide to individual students. When the size gets closer to 30 rather than 20 students, there’s less opportunity to offer one-to-one help.

It could also affect the amount of electives offered at the junior and senior high levels. Electives offer a chance for students to take specialized courses in subjects such as foreign languages, business, and technology. They’re a very good foundation for post-secondary studies.

I question whether many of the “no” voters took the time to be informed. Some are longstanding residents who haven’t set foot in a school in at least 20 years. Others are newer residents who’ve never visited one.

I had a good opportunity to visit Marshall High School for a feature interview two days after the election. I enjoyed seeing busy lunch hour hallways filled with enthusiastic teenagers.

Many times we just hear negative news reports about school-related topics, everything from school shootings to drug abuse. It can lead to impressions that public education is in trouble. Seeing happy, successful students as they enjoy a school day gives me plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

Nothing is more important than kids. If more funding leads to better educational opportunities, it’s good to spend the money.

Even if someone questions the need for more tax dollars, it’s important to think in terms of how public education is valuable for economic development reasons.

Marshall has emerged in recent years as a regional center for education, health care and industry. Each of those areas has a considerable need to attract the best professional employees. It’s necessary to remain first-rate in the 21st century economy.

Nearly all of those potential employees, even those who don’t have children, want to know how well the community maintains its public school system. A city that falls short isn’t likely to continue on a path toward growth and prosperity.

Even though the operating levy failed, I don’t think Marshall is falling short. There’s a tremendous amount of Tiger Pride that shines forth on a daily basis.

In the past two weeks we’ve been able to highlight in the Independent a number of really great achievements, including a state volleyball championship and a seventh place national placement for an FFA judging team.

There are many other good accomplishments that don’t generate headlines but that have a tremendous value. I consider the way young college-age employees help to take care of my mother in her assisted living facility. Someday I’ll be dependent on them. The money I spent on their public education will pay off.

Each generation should want a better life for its children and grandchildren. We’re not likely to get that if we don’t pay it forward, if we don’t provide the resources young people need to reach their full potential.

Our school district will at some point again in the not too distant future ask voters for funding. When it happens, my hope is that everyone considers the value of education. The impact of a tax increase needs to be compared with the importance of investing in our future.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and contributor to the Marshall Independent