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Michigan Voters Deliver Mixed Results on School Funding as Dearborn Ward Plan Falters

Unofficial returns show a split verdict on school finance measures with certification still pending.

Overview

  • Kent ISD’s 10-year regional enhancement millage was renewed and restored to 0.9 mills, passing 54,078 to 31,044 in Kent County and projected to provide about $357 per student.
  • East Grand Rapids approved a 10-year, 0.5-mill sinking fund 2,209 to 816 to pay for building repairs, security upgrades, technology and vehicles.
  • Wyoming Public Schools passed a $29.75 million bond and renewed a 10-year sinking fund, with the district saying the overall debt rate will drop to 5.50 mills in 2026.
  • Grandville voters renewed the district’s operating millage and restored the sinking fund to 1.4 mills, an estimated $3.38 million collection in 2027 after prior Headlee rollbacks.
  • Results elsewhere were mixed: Rockford’s $230 million bond failed, Zeeland’s $186 million and Byron Center’s $110 million bonds passed, Kalamazoo County backed a Metro transit millage and Portage’s $132.4 million bond while Galesburg-Augusta, Parchment and Comstock school bonds were rejected, and Dearborn’s Proposal 1 trailed 71% to 28% in early returns.