GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Gwinn Area Community Schools hopes voters will allow them to borrow nearly $31 million for major infrastructure repairs and upgrades and create more space for CTE programs. Voters rejected a similar proposal last November. However, the current proposal breaks the project into two phases.
“The voters said, No, it’s too costly to do it all at once. So we thought, okay, don’t need a rock against my head. Now we’re going to half it and do half, just do phase one, do the area that needs it the worst, which is a middle school and high school renovations,” said Dr. Croney.
Gwinn Schools Superintendent, Dr. Sarah Croney, says her district already has the lowest millage rate in the region.
“We are at the absolute bottom of all the districts around us, and the amount of millage that our community members pay the bottom. There is no one who’s paying less,” said Dr. Croney.
Among the long list of needs are a new roof, an updated fire suppression system, new pipes, an update of the electrical system, and repurposing of classrooms to fit more students interested in the skilled trades.
“Our students right now are just crying for the skilled trades because maybe about half of our kids go on to a four-year college, but the other half want the skilled trades,” explained Dr. Croney.
Dr. Croney says the proposed bond has the backing of “Forsyth Forward,” a group of local businesses that see improvements to the school as a high priority.
“A thriving school will cause a thriving community, and a thriving community is the only way our businesses will thrive as well,” said Dr. Croney.
