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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
SCOTTVILLE — The fourth time was the charm! Mason County Central School District’s most recent bond proposal has passed. Unofficial results were: 940, yes to 673, no with two Lake County precincts not yet reported (however those numbers are traditionally low).
The proposal called for a 2.15 mill renewal which will generate up to $23,357,000. The funds will pay for much needed facility and infrastructure upgrades with much of the emphasis on safety and security.
This was the fourth attempt MCC has made for a bond since 2022. However, unlike the previous requests, this millage was for a renewal rather than an increase. The previous bond, which started in 2006, expires the end of this year. That bond paid for the Upper Elementary along with a new gymnasium and hallway at the High School plus other school upgrades.
“This is a good day to be a Spartan,” said MCC Superintendent Jeff Mount. “On behalf of the entire Mason County Central family — and most importantly the kids — we thank the voters for trusting us to use their hard earned money wisely. The needs of our school are real and this is an investment that will last for generations to come, just as the other bonds have done in the past.”
Among some of the improvements planned include major updating to the 66 year-old high school’s “B” and “C” halls, many of which have not been updated since the school opened in 1959. The A.O. Carlson Gymnasium will also see updates. Each of the district’s five buildings will see renovated entrances with increase security measures. The school’s roadways will also get much needed rebuilding along with a redesign of the traffic flow in the primary main campus drop-off and pick-up zones at the west end of Maple Street.
Much of the district’s aging learning environments will be updated as well, including the replacement of outdated and worn out furniture. Old electrical systems will also be updated.
This is the sixth facility bond in the school district’s 70 year history. See related story here.
While the high school is 66-years-old, it is not the oldest building in the district. That honor goes to Scottville Elementary and Victory Early Childhood Center, both built in 1951. Scottville Elementary, which serves as the district’s lower elementary, housing grades kindergarten through two. The middle school opened in 1976 and the upper elementary opened in 2008.
Unofficial results were as follows (note that precincts from Lake County’s Lake Township and Sweetwater Township have not reported in. However, traditionally, those results are small compared to Mason County precincts and would not significantly change the final outcome).
- Amber Township: 242 yes; 117 no
- Branch Township: 61 yes; 39 no
- Custer Township: Yes 40; 49 no
- Eden Township: 29 yes; 14 no
- Free Soil Township: 2 yes; 13 no
- Grant Township: 50 yes; 58 no
- Logan Township: 23 yes; 33 no
- Riverton Township: 146 yes; 130 no
- Sherman Township: 25 yes; 22 no
- Victory Township: 175 yes; 141 no
- City of Scottville: 140 yes; 52 no
Oceana County:
- Weare Township: 7 yes; 5 no
Total: 940 yes; 673 no
Voter turnout for Mason County was at 24 percent with 1,605 ballots cast out of 6,775 registered voters.
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