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Yale voters pass bond proposal




YALE — Yale Public Schools’ supporters breathed a collective sigh of relief after voters approved a five-year, 1-mill sinking fund proposal in the district during Tuesday’s (May 3) election.

The proposal eked by with a vote of 595 yes to 537 no.

“We’re so thankful to everyone in the district,” said schools Supt. Ken Nicholl. “We believe this is truly a vote for kids. We’re proud to be part of a community that trusts we’ll do the right thing.”

Nicholl, who’s in his 13th year with the district, said the sinking fund money can only be used for school repairs and capital improvement projects and not for buses, technology or staffing.

He believes a sinking fund is more beneficial than a bond proposal since all taxpayer money will go directly to the project versus interest.

“With a sinking fund there’s no interest, so it’s pay as you go,” Nicholl said.

He said more specifically, the funds will go toward such school district projects as making the heating system more energy efficient, lighting, parking lots, classroom carpeting, and security and surveillance enhancements.

The 1-mill levy is expected to generate about $385,000 annually for the Yale district for five years and would cost the average City of Yale resident about $40 to $50 more per year.

In other election news, an incumbent and newcomer took the two four-year board seats available during the election. Incumbent Terry Hoist of Yale received 557 votes and Pete Bullard of Greenwood Township got 391 votes to earn their seats, beating out Mark Richardson of Yale with 328 votes and Veronica Monaco of Emmett with 238 votes.

At Brown City schools, Mark Mittlestat was re-elected to the open four-year board seat.

At Marlette Community Schools, Nik Woods was re-elected to his four-year seat, while Kendra Jickling earned a partial two-year board term.

In the Peck school district, incumbent Larry Cook and write-in candidate Rodney Gordon were reelected to the pair of four-year seats. Write-in candidate Marv Harris also received votes during the election.


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