Macomb: Center Line, Warren Woods school issues win
Macomb County voters were in a generous mood Tuesday, approving money issues for the Center Line, Warren Woods and Armada school districts.
Center Line voters endorsed a $59.3 million bond issue for a new elementary school and other facility upgrades, with 56.3 percent voting yes.
The proposal — a 25-year bond — will increase property taxes in the district by 4.9 mills. That's an increase of $196 a year on a home with a market value of $80,000.
In the Warren Woods district, a $20.3 million bond issue passed with 53.6 percent voting yes. The bond issue will increase property taxes by 2.2 mills, costing the owner of a $100,000 home $110 more per year.
Stacey Denewith-Fici, superintendent of Warren Woods Public Schools, had said the district would use the increase to enhance school security, remodel and upgrade facilities, improve technology, update parking lots and athletic facilities and replace two school buses.
Center Line Superintendent Eva Kaltz said she hoped the bond would pass to improve her district's buildings, some of which are more than 60 years old.
The measure will fund construction of a new elementary school for current Peck Elementary students and children in the Early Childhood Center program. The new school will be built behind Center Line High School.
The Early Childhood Center, formerly Ladd Elementary, will be renovated to relocate Roose Elementary students there in 2021.
Also under the proposal:
Crothers Elementary will receive a new cafeteria and gym by 2023.
Center Line High School and Wolfe Middle School will receive roof repairs, new technology and upgrades to the high school's auditorium and pool.
The administration offices will be relocated to Wolfe Middle School and the Follbaum Administration Building will be demolished.
Roof replacement and other improvements will be made at Peck Elementary. When completed, the school will be used to house the Homeschool Partnership and Academy 21 students beginning in 2023.
Old school buses will be replaced.
In the Armada Area Schools, a $6.6 million bond issue passed with 56.5 percent voting yes.
The measure will fund improvements that include upgraded safety entrances at Krause Elementary and Armada Middle School, a new skilled trades enclosure for students who currently work outdoors, a renovated high school kitchen to include a culinary arts program and new roofs on all buildings.
Other proposed upgrades include tripling the size and equipment in the high school weight rooms, adding eight new tennis courts at the high school, a new baseball field, new cafeteria tables and 10 new school buses.
Armada Superintendent Michael Musary said the proposal will not raise taxes and will extend the time for the district's debt to be paid off by two years, until 2032.
In Fraser, voters shot down a special assessment increase to raise money for the Department of Public Safety, with 56.9 percent against. The 3-mill increase would have raised $1.1 million a year and been used to purchase equipment.
Macomb County mayors on Tuesday's ballot fared well too.
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor cruised to re-election, winning about three-quarters of the vote over challenger Jeffrey Norgrove.
With all votes counted, Taylor had 76.7 percent of the vote to 23.3 percent for Norgrove.
Roseville Mayor Robert Taylor also easily was re-elected over challenger Kristin Hoff, while voters in the Warren Woods Public Schools approved a $20.3 million bond issue.
With all of Roseville's precincts reporting, Robert Taylor received 75.4 percent to 24.6 percent to Hoff.
In Mount Clemens, Mayor Barb Dempsey was easily re-elected over challenger Mike Zubas Jr., capturing 73.1 percent of the vote.
In New Baltimore, Mayor John Dupray was re-elected over Councilman Kenneth Butler, with 60.5 percent of the vote to 39.5 percent.
In Center Line, Mayor Robert Binson defeated William Sherman, capturing 80.2 percent of the vote.
More election results: