GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – After numerous failed proposals over the years, the Gwinn community will once again vote on a newly written millage for its school district in November.
New language is seeking 4.68 mills or $48,065,000 across a single 30-year term. Superintendent Dr. Sara Croney says she hopes that voting on everything at once will come easier than previous plans.
“We’re hoping to have those that are on board knowing that this is it,” she said. “There are more dollars going into it but its all done.”
Compared to the previous two-phase process attempted in May, the new single-phase plan aims to fix the high school’s dated roof, update classroom equipment, address safety concerns, and reconstruct the school district into one campus, creating a new elementary building on current school grounds.
“These are big things, you can’t take operational education funding and touch it with that,” said Croney. “We had listening sessions, people are very much in favor of efficiency.”
As the township moves toward the future, Dr. Croney says that in making these choices for the school, the community will be able to and grow itself much stronger over the years, well after staying reliant on federal funds.
“In the past, K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base paid for everything” she said. “If we are prepared for that by having a viable site, we’re going to retain students, and our community’s property values will hold steady, and grow.”
Voting will take place on Tuesday, November 4.
