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On August 23, the Marion Independent School District and Marion Home School Assistance Program will celebrate the opening of the Emerson Learning Center, 1400 10th Avenue in Marion. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Emerson Learning Center will house the Marion Home School Assistance Program (MHSAP) which supports and assists parents in their chosen role as the primary educators of their children. The program serves over 1,100 students from 35 districts in the metro area and across Eastern Iowa and is the largest home school program in the state. Tom Ertz, MHSAP Program Director, said the building has received upgrades to HVAC and electrical systems as well as remodeling of office spaces. “The Emerson Learning Center will provide additional classrooms for core contents, enrichment, band, and after school activities,” said Ertz. Emerson Elementary students made a transition to Longfellow Elementary at the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. Since then the district has worked to rehabilitate the Emerson building. Marion Independent School District Superintendent, Chris Dyer, said the future use of the building began with input from the community and their desire to maintain the neighborhood school. The Marion School Board determined that growth of MHSAP complimented those desires and approved the renovation of the Emerson building. “We wish to thank our local legislatures, Senator Mathis and Representatives Hinson and Staed,” said Dyer. “Each worked to secure the legislation that made previously restricted reserve funds available for the renovation.” Dyer went on to add that the district was able to use restricted reserve dollars previously allocated to MHSAP for the repurposing of Emerson. Renovations on the building will continue following its opening on August 23.