Voters Narrowly Approve School Measure
MORRISTOWN – A full 20 percent of votes cast in Tuesday’s election were cast by residents of the Union Local School District as citizens narrowly approved a 3-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy to fund much needed repairs at the district’s school campus.
A total of 50.5%, 1,157, voters cast ballots in favor of the measure while 49.4%, 1,130, voters were apposed to the levy, a difference of a mere 27 votes.
In the school district, 38.3% of eligible voters cast ballots, 11% higher than the county turnout of 27%. .
The levy’s passage came after extensive efforts by the nonprofit advocacy group, Union Local Foundation for the Future, that included a social media education campaign, town hall meetings in every community in the district, and a final rally of sign waiving residents and students along SR 149 near the adjacent Schlepps Restaurant on Monday afternoon.
The narrow levy victory came after several failed attempts over the past few years to obtain approval by the school district.
Results are unofficial until the Belmont County Board of Elections meets on May 14 for the Official Canvass to certify the results of the May 5, 2026 Primary Election. The meeting will open at 8:30 a.m. and the board will reconvene at 4 p.m., said Eberle Ferrell, director.
Read the companion article with comments from the superintendent and the group supporting the levy here.
Barnesville Area News Needs Your Support!
We're dedicated to providing coverage of the local happenings in Barnesville and the neighboring communities.
As a non-profit entity, we rely on the donations of readers like you.
Make a donation today and you'll be helping keep local news alive in the Barnesville area.