MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Marquette Area Public Schools is taking the next steps in shaping the future of its classrooms and buildings. The district says input from the community will play a critical role in what happens next. 19 News attended a public forum on the matter and has the details.
Marquette Area Public Schools has been working on its district-wide strategic plan, and a major piece of that puzzle is Facilities Planning. The district wants to make sure its buildings and learning environments can meet the needs of students well into the future. Last year, a statewide infrastructure study revealed more than $100 million in critical upgrades were needed across the entire system, findings that lined up closely with the district’s own assessments.
“Basically, what it provides the district with is qualitative and quantitative data to be able to then move forward with projects that the community supports,” said Brigett Joyce, her company, Miron Construction will oversee any future construction.
Thanks to the sinking fund approved by voters in 2023, MAPS already received nearly $1.3 million a year for building repairs, but district leaders say larger improvements may require asking voters to consider a bond proposal to move forward. MAPS is asking for public input. The first of two community listening sessions took place this evening.
“At the end of the day. This is a community-run school district, so they want that information, and they want that data so that they can make the best decisions for their students in the schools,” said Joyce.
Moving forward, district leaders say the goal is to make sure the community has a voice in how to prioritize projects for the 750,000 square feet of aging infrastructure.
“A lot of that square footage needs to be updated when you’re talking about that big of a footprint, it doesn’t take very long to get to a significant number,” said MAPS Superintendent, Zack Sedgwick.
For now, MAPS is urging residents to get involved, take the survey and help decide what the future of Marquette Schools will look like.
Results of the survey will be available for public viewing on October 13th.
