MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — School millages fared poorly in voting across the state, as ballot proposals in Macomb, Kent, Jackson, Van Buren and Manistee counties all were turned down, according to the Michigan Information & Research Service.
Lamphere Schools in Oakland County and Bendle Schools in Genessee County were exceptions, each passing two millages, MIRS reported.
Voters said no to a 30-year, $45 million request in the Center Line School District for technology, play equipment, athletic fields and other infrastructure, MIRS reported, while a 10-year, 0.5-mill in Wyoming Public Schools in Kent County went down 63 to 37 percent.
The Jackson Intermediate School District request for a 0.77-mill special education tax was narrowly defeated, as was a $14 million bond proposal for Manistee County Area Public Schools, MIRS reported. Voters in Covert Public Schools in Van Buren County also turned down a request for a 20-year sinking fund.
Voters in the Mecosta Community College district turned down a 0.27-mill Headlee override for the second time, and by a larger margin, MIRS reported.
SOURCE:
Michigan Information & Research Service Inc., “Voters Recall Local Officials, Local Millages Pass, School Proposals Fail,” Aug. 2, 2011 (Subscription required)
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Capitol Confidential, “Reject a Tax Hike? It’ll be Back,” June 3, 2011
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