Marion Independent’s enrollment dips slightly

MARION - Enrollment in the Marion Independent School District dipped by 16 students this fall, but still is above 2,000 for the third consecutive year, Marion Business Manager John Donner reported this week.

The district this fall is serving 2,092 students, compared to 2,108 last fall, 2,072 in 2014 and 1,991 in 2013.

A head count of home schooled students, counted separately, rose from 920 to 997.

Also this week, the Marion school board approved a request for proposals to redevelop the site of Emerson Elementary School at 1400 10th Ave.

The school district and the city of Marion are partnering to facilitate the redevelopment by a developer, commercial interest or non-profit entity.

The district has occupied the site since 1891. However, Emerson is scheduled to be replaced by a new Longfellow Elementary School, at a different location, in the fall of the 2017-2018 school year.

Information is available from Donner at school district offices, 777 S. 15th St., Marion. Deadline for submitting proposals is Jan. 6, 2017.