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Democracy in action
Over 1,500 fulfill civic duty in special electors vote, turn down proposed MHS property
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Over 1,500 Monroe residents showed up to the special meeting of the electors on March 3 at the Monroe High School gymnasium. The crowd spilled out of the gym and into the Performing Arts Center. Electors began spilling into the building at around 5:30 p.m., with the vote scheduled for 7 p.m. There was a delay to begin proceedings until all in line to enter received a ballot. The triple-checked hand count was verified at 10:23 p.m., and the meeting adjourned a minute later. - photo by Adam Krebs

MONROE — The electors of Monroe have spoken, again.

In November 2022, the electorate passed an $88 million referendum to build a new high school on a new site, as well as make overdue improvements to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.

In order to begin the process of building a new high school, including blueprints of the building and securing longterm bonds, a new site must be selected. 

In December, a 77-acre location off of 31st Avenue on the city’s far east side was presented, with 52 voting yes and 69 voting no — a total of 121 voters. In the March 8 vote, the 70-acre Donny Property just north of city limits by the industrial park on County DR was up for approval. More than 1,600 showed up for the spectacle, with 1,523 residents exercising their civic duty — a number more than 12-times larger than the first time around. The “Nays” overwhelmed the “Yays”, 945-578. Five votes were spoiled.

“The Board will consider the next steps which are not determined at this point,” said Rodney Figueroa, Monroe’s District Superintendent. “What is clear are the urgent needs at the high school and Abraham Lincoln.”