GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan voters went to the polls on Tuesday, approving several bonds and millages and rejecting others.
There were a total of 52 races across West Michigan, many of which were requests to renew existing millages. Other ballot questions were new proposals.
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PASSED
A $29.5 million bond for Allendale Public Schools has passed. It will fund the construction of a new Early Childhood Center, security and technology enhancements at the high school, new buses, and improved student drop-off areas.
Voters approved continuing Byron Center Public Schools‘ bond for 14 more years, raising an estimated $68.24 million. The district has seen enrollment grow and is projecting that to continue. Most of the money will be used to add space at the high school, which is already near capacity. The Early Childhood Center will also see four new classrooms added. Money will also go to new security features at other district buildings, and updating buses and technology and athletic facilities.
School officials are saying that a regional enhancement millage for the Kent County Intermediate School District will pass.
The renewal of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency Regional Enhancement Millage passed. That means a 1.5 mill tax initially approved in 2005 will continue for three more years. The millage will send about $339 per student on top of state funding to each school district in the county.
Voters OK’d two bond proposals for Shelby Public Schools to move most students to a single campus:
- The first proposal is for $17.115 million. It will pay to create a middle/high school bringing grades 7 through 12 into the current high school building, which will be renovated and have classroom space added. Grades K through 6 will be moved to the current middle school, which will also be renovated. New Era Elementary will close and Thomas Read Elementary will become an Early Childhood Center. The proposal will also fund technology and security improvements.
- The second proposal for $2.86 million will fund the construction a new gym at the high school.
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