Ludington school millage voter turnout at 30%

Ludington school millage voter turnout at 30%

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area School District bond proposal passed Tuesday night 2,148 yes to 1,732 no, a 55% margin. The $100 million proposal was decided by just under 30% of the registered voters in the Ludington Area School District, which includes the City of Ludington, Pere Marquette Charter Township, Hamlin Township, Summit Township, and the western third of Amber Township. The precinct with the highest voter turnout was Pere Marquette Township precinct 1 with 41% while Amber Township had the lowest turnout at 16%. Second highest turnout was Ludington precinct 1 with 37% and the second lowest was Ludington precinct 4 with 19%. 

Voters approved a millage of up to 2.32 mills, which will generate up to $100,935,000 for 30 years, a 1.71 mills increase in the maximum amount of district taxes currently being paid. The estimated average annual amount of taxes will be 2.58 mills.

“I just want to express my sincere thank you to the Ludington Area School District residents for their strong and positive approval that created a legacy moment for our kids and our community,” said Vic Burwell, who was active in the Yes for LAS committee. “A statement of vision, and commitment was made on May 7 that will impact our community for decades by the voters of the LAS district.

“You are to be congratulated and know you are appreciated for being a part of history in the making.Two things could have occurred: remain as status quo, or look to the future so our kids can be as prepared to be the leaders our community and our world needs. Voters voted for the future.”

The project will fund the following:

• Construction of a new elementary school, housing grades kindergarten through five, on school-owned property near the southwest corner of Jebavy Drive and Bryant Road in Pere Marquette Township (known as the Outcalt property).
• New additions and renovations to the middle school and high school complex. The high school was built in 1957; the middle school was built in 1965. 
• Renovations and upgrades to L.F. Peterson Auditorium and the Donald Baldwin Community Pool, both built in the mid-1970s. 
• Improvements to the transportation center, including a new roof.
• Improvements to existing athletic facilities.
• Safety improvements, including single secure points of entry in all school buildings.
• Aggressive marketing of vacant and unused buildings. The proposal would mean the closures of all the current elementary schools: Foster Elementary, built in 1925; Franklin Elementary, built in 1957; Lakeview Elementary, built in 1964, Pere Marquette Early Childhood Center, built as Pere Marquette Elementary in 1965. 

The bond will be phased, allowing construction in 2019 and 2022.

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