The May voters in Spring Lake will head to the polls to consider a nearly $50 million bond proposal that overhaul the district’s infrastructure.
District officials say, if passed, funds from the $49.8 million bond proposal would provide major upgrades to the district’s high school including a complete redesign and overhaul of the school’s entrance; reconfiguring the front doors to provide additional layers of security in the event of an active shooter situation.
Plans also call for the construction of a new athletic fieldhouse, weightroom, and baseball diamond, as the varsity team currently plays on a field at the middle school.
With the recent gun-violence at Michigan State University this year, and Oxford High School last year, Spring Lake Superintendent Dennis Furton says, it is more important than ever to keep kids safe at school.
“So our high school entry way, basically spills right into a hallway and is not secure therefore as we would like it to be,” Furton said. "This particular addition, which is part of our bond plan will assure that when we have a visitor coming during the school day, they are required to be bussed into the office, we've got cameras, security buzzer system, that gives us that extra layer of (security) we need."
Furton says, if passed the bond would not increase taxes above the current tax rate of 7.0 mills, but rather extend it for another 10 years.
If passed, the bond would levy $0.99 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation, in the next year. For instance, the owner of a home with a market value of $200,000 would continue to pay $700 in annual taxes.
The vote is set for May 2nd.
