REED CITY —A Northern Michigan school district is asking voters to approve a school bond proposal with a hefty price tag in the May 6th election, and it does not come without some pushback.
The Reed City Area Public School district in Osceola County is asking voters to approve an $88.1 million bond next month.
Reed City superintendent Michael Sweet said the 4.5 mil bond would pay for renovations and improvements to the elementary, middle, and high schools and acknowledges it’s a big ask.
“I wish I could have been here seven years ago, pre-COVID when prices were lower. Unfortunately, that’s the cost of constructing something right,” said Sweet.
Sweet said safety was an area they wanted to focus on, they want to upgrade sidewalks, parking lots, make safe drop-off areas and a secure vestibule.
“One of the changes is at our middle school, there is no vestibule. So, when a parent or anybody buzzes in, you come into the building and immediately you have access to the whole thing without going through the office,” said Sweet.
Other improvements the district also wants to make include technology upgrades, installing new HVAC systems, building a new gymnasium and repurposing the old gym into a 600-seat performing arts center.
“It’s going to be important for us to figure out band and performing arts spaces, because those programs are growing in Reed City, and there’s going to be a demand, from students and from the public,” said Sweet.
Sweet said he’s been busy spreading the word about the bond proposal.
“I’ve spent the last five months speaking in different places, talking to different groups of people. I understand it’s a high cost. But if you don’t do it now, it’s going to increase. And everything that we put in this plan was things that the community members who responded to our survey said were important,” said Lange.
But some homeowners, like Rhonda Lange, are taking issue with the price tag.
“Honestly, it’s insane. There are people who are struggling right now to put food on their tables. I don’t know how else to say it. $88.1 million, 30 years. And we already have outstanding bonds. I figured it was somebody who wanted to throw everything on, see what sticks, and if it doesn’t stick, maybe we’ll come back and try again,” said Lange.
Lange said she thinks the school should be more focused on curriculum than amenities.
“When we look at student proficiency in the school district, a lot of people have concerns about that. Our reading proficiency, our writing proficiency, and our math proficiency are all below 40%,” said Lange.
Lange said not everyone’s in a position to pay more taxes right now.
“I just hope people, regardless of how they vote, will take into consideration the big picture. I hope that they will take into consideration their neighbors who may not be faring as well,” said Lange.