GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – In Marquette County, the most impactful ballot item in the May 6 special election was the Gwinn Community Schools bond proposal.
Voter turnout was steady Tuesday at the first precinct inside the Gwinn Community Center. Poll workers we spoke to said turnout was better than expected for an off-year election with no candidates on the ballot. However, the ask was just too great for residents to accept.
The ballot proposal would have amounted to a loan of over $30 million for school improvements, additions, security measures, and updated classrooms, however, it would have created a tax burden of $300 per household on average. That’s $3.10 per $1,000 of home value.
The measure was defeated by a count of 960 for and 1,353 against.
The school board will now re-group and decide on a path forward, and whether to try again in another election cycle.
