Opinion: Make your voice heard through local elections

Next week, the Grinnell community will vote on an increase to the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) to support the construction of a new, consolidated elementary school that will serve all six grades in the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District.

Currently, the school district has three smaller elementary schools that teachers have to move between throughout the course of the day. Earlier this year, the school board made the difficult decision to close one of those schools, Davis Elementary, which currently serves 3rd and 4th grade students in the district.

The Davis building is over 100 years old, and although it has served the community well, the building has eroded over time, and the school district board realized that it would be more cost effective to close the building than keep repairing it. Currently, the school board is deliberating on how to spread the Davis students amongst the two remaining elementary schools and the middle school. 

Students who are registered to vote in Grinnell have a right to vote on the increase to the PPEL levy. This is a consequential vote for the community that will have a significant impact on the future educational experiences of children in the community. I would strongly encourage students who can vote in Grinnell to learn as much as they can about the levy, so that they can understand what is at stake for all community members, and get out to vote.

The vote will happen on Tuesday, March 4, at the Elks Lodge, just south of downtown. Polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The college has arranged for a shuttle to transport interested students regularly between the JRC and the Elks Lodge throughout the course of the day.

It is a particular privilege of democratic life that we get to come together as a community to share in making important decisions like these. Not everyone in the community is in agreement about the decision to fund the new school building. But there has been lots of meaningful discussion about what the best course is for the community as a whole. At a time when fundamental democratic values are being called into question, that is something to be celebrated.

Now, more than ever, it is vital that we stand up for democracy by supporting local democratic processes. I am only too aware that democracy doesn’t always work the way we hope, especially for those on the margins of our communities. But each time we get involved in our communities, whether it be voting, serving, volunteering or engaging in dialogue, we express a fundamental belief that communities are more vibrant with the participation of all. 

If you are able to vote in this election, please go and make your voice heard. Consider it an act of resistance.