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WALNUT, Iowa (AP) — Voters have overwhelmingly approved a plan for an Iowa school district to merge with another one in the face of declining enrollment and budget problems.
By a vote of 614-74, residents of Avoca, Hancock, Shelby, Tennant and Walnut supported a resolution to create the AHSTW Community School District, The Daily Nonpareil (http://bit.ly/1EOr3Gd ) reported.
Each district had to pass the measure by a simple majority, said Jesse Ulrich, the shared superintendent of both districts. He said 94 percent of Avoca, Hancock, Shelby and Tennant voters, and 77 percent of Walnut voters were part of an "overwhelming majority" in support of the plan.
"I'm just really proud of our communities for buying into the vision that we painted in regard of creating a financially stable school district that can pass the test of time," Ulrich said.
Enrollment at Walnut had dropped 25 percent between 2010 and 2014, one of the fastest declines in the state. The Walnut district had faced spending more than allowed by Iowa law to make up for the student decline.
About 770 students are expected to attend the joint school district. A new school board will be established from the two existing boards' members, with five members from AHST and two from Walnut when the merger becomes official July 1.
In a separate vote on Tuesday, a revenue purpose statement was approved 612-85, which avoids the need for a special election to combine the two district's finances as a result of the reorganization.
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Information from: The Daily Nonpareil, http://www.nonpareilonline.com
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