Bond passes with 55.5 percent of the vote

*Vicksburg Community Schools voters approved a $64.1 million* bond renewal on May 5, clearing the way for a new transportation facility, a rebuilt tennis complex, and an auxiliary gymnasium that district leaders say has been desperately needed.

The measure passed with 1,631 votes in favor and 1,308 opposed, according to unofficial results reported by the Watershed Voice. The renewal continues a 6.6-mill property tax levy that has been in place since 2020. Voters did not face a tax rate increase.

If the proposal had failed, the millage rate would have dropped to 2.77 mills, according to Wilcox Newspapers.

A bus garage that is also a safety hazard

Superintendent Keevin O'Neil said the current transportation facility, located on the same road as the middle school, creates dangerous traffic conditions during dismissal.

"If you're here around 2:30, all our parents come in for the middle school, line up, drive past the bus garage to get to the middle school while our buses are trying to get out, while we have students walking through there," O'Neill said. "Every day I look out there, and it's a safety concern that needs to be addressed."

The new facility would be built at a yet-to-be-determined location. O'Neill said the site would need to connect to main roads quickly so bus routes run more efficiently. The building would also include modern equipment such as a lift system for bus maintenance.

"Our mechanics, they still have to use rollers to get under our buses. We have no lift system. So, to be more efficient and productive, a new facility makes sense," O'Neill said.

Tennis courts too cracked for competition

Vicksburg's tennis team has been traveling to Schoolcraft for home competitions because the high school's courts are no longer suitable for competition, O'Neill said.

The current complex is more than 20 years old and has been resurfaced repeatedly over the past five to six years without solving the underlying damage.

"We've been resurfacing it over over over almost every single year for five to six years with no guarantee that that's going to solve the problem, because the companies know the sublayer, all of that needs to be replaced," O'Neill said.

An auxiliary gym to end late-night practices

Vicksburg is one of the few districts in the region without a standalone practice facility, O'Neill said. The competitive cheer team currently rents space in Schoolcraft.

"We've added sports, our middle school offerings have increased, so what we're seeing is our students are practicing way too late. I don't want kids practicing here past 9 p.m. I always find that to be a safety concern," O'Neill said.

An auxiliary gym would give all student-athletes equal access to practice space and eliminate late-night sessions, he said.

Other projects funded by the bond

The bond proposal covers three broad categories: safety and security upgrades, replacement of aging infrastructure, and enhancements to student learning and programs, according to Wilcox Newspapers.

Additional projects include:

  • A new Outdoor Education Center building at Barton Lake. The current facility has a slippery deck and requires students to exit the building to use restrooms, O'Neill said.
  • Renovations to the high school Performing Arts Center, including new seating, interior finishes, lighting, sound equipment, and a revamped orchestra pit.
  • New secure entryways at every school building.
  • Fire alarm system replacements.
  • Boiler replacements and mechanical system upgrades.
  • Classroom technology upgrades and science lab improvements.
  • Parking lot and playground improvements.

A community that spans two counties

Vicksburg Community Schools covers portions of both Kalamazoo County and St. Joseph County. Voters in Mendon Township and Park Township in St. Joseph County were also eligible to vote on the bond, according to Wilcox Newspapers.

O'Neill said the district's goal with the renewal is to continue strengthening the community through its schools.

"I think people are drawn to communities because of the schools. When your schools are performing well and their facilities are up to date, it's a point of pride for most," O'Neill said. "Strong schools equals strong communities."

The bond joins a wave of school facility votes across West Michigan on May 5. Bridge Michigan reported that 63.8 percent of school bond requests statewide passed on Election Day, with voters approving more than $1 billion in borrowing.