School bonds on the ballot for Michigan's special election

Michigan voters will have a special election on the day of Indiana's primary next Tuesday, May 7th.

All the ballot items include school bond proposals, including Edwardsburg, St. Joseph Public Schools and Coloma Community Schools.

In Edwardsburg, Michigan, they are asking voters to approve a 1.6 mill bond for $24 million dollars, mainly for school improvements.

This includes investments like air conditioning and security enhancements, which the district was unable to make without a bond passing in 2022.

Edwardsburg's last proposal failed in August 2022 at $60 million dollars, though a smaller operating millage did pass earlier that year in May.

For St. Joseph Schools, they’re asking to levy 2.56 mills, marking a 1.95 mill increase from last year's bond.

This increase, expected to generate $98 million dollars, will fund school and athletic improvements, buy new school buses and potential acquisition of an additional building.

Last year Coloma's $28 million bond proposal, aimed at crucial infrastructure upgrades, failed to pass. Now, the district is back with a revised proposal.

The first part seeks a 0.9 mill bond, projected to generate $12.5 million if approved. This funding would facilitate school building remodeling, add new technology and demolish the North building.

The second bond proposal from Coloma seeks $11.9 million dollars, at 0.85 mills.

If approved, the funds will be used to demolish the Alwood Gym at the high school and build a replacement.

Coloma officials say that the gym, being over a century old, is too expensive to maintain.