GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Voters in the Gwinn Community School District have rejected a bond proposal that would have funded some much needed improvements to the Gwinn Middle and High Schools. We spoke to residents, who have mixed reactions to Tuesday’s vote.
For the third time in as many years, Forsyth Township voters said no to a bond proposal aimed at renovating the 65 year old facility. The Gwinn school board was asking for just under $31 million spread out over 30 years, the burden to homeowners would be, on average, $290 or $3.10 per $1,000 of home value. Residents I spoke to believe that improvements to the aging school would be good for the community.
“People are not going to want to come and put their kids in ramshackle buildings, because whether that’s the ramshackle education or just the buildings, it still gives off a vibe,” said Gwinn resident Diane Bostow.
For years, the schools were subsidized by the Air Force, but when KI Sawyer closed, the residents of Forsyth Township were left with the bill, and with a declining population in this economically challenged community, the proposed improvements were not worth the requested increase in taxes.
“So, the repairs are needed, and we have enough money to keep fixing things with Band-Aids and doing small repairs and doing little things, but there isn’t enough to sustain 65 year old buildings of this size,” said local business owner Danelle Hammond.
On the Gwinn schools Facebook page, the supporters of the bond initiative were thanked the post read in part, quote, “As a district, we will begin to strategize how we will address our needs in the future. They’re not going away. It will be up to the Board of Education and administration to regroup and assess how we are going to address the district’s needs”. End. Quote, The proposal failed by 393 votes.
For a list of the Gwinn Schools proposed improvements, please visit their website: gwinnschools.org
