WAYNE COUNTY

Wayne Co. voters OK 5 school funding proposals

Charles E. Ramirez
The Detroit News

Voters in five Wayne County school districts Tuesday approved funding for upgrades, remodels and athletic facilities, according to early, unofficial results.

Inkster residents also elected nine people from a field of 15 to represent them on a charter commission. Each member will serve a three-year term.

Residents supported requests from the Clarenceville School District, the Crestwood School District, Dearborn Heights School District No. 7, Grosse Ile Township Schools and Hamtramck Public Schools.

Voters in the Clarenceville School District approved the renewal of a building and site sinking fund for 10 years with 62 percent of the vote, according to the county clerk’s office.

Clarenceville covers portions of Livonia and Redford in Wayne County, and portions of Farmington Hills and Southfield in Oakland County. Voters in the district who live in Oakland County also supported the measure with 55 percent of the vote.

In Dearborn Heights, voters in two school districts also cast ballots in favor of funding requests.

Residents in the Crestwood School District supported a $35 million bond proposal — the biggest request on Tuesday’s ballot — to pay for building, playground, safety and technology improvements with 52 percent of the vote.

“We are delighted with results and so thankful,” said Laurine VanValkenburg, district’s superintendent. “We want to thank every member of the community who voted for it and the children of Crestwood.”

Across town, voters in the Dearborn Heights School District No. 7 approved renewing a building and site sinking fund for 10 years with 64 percent of the vote. The money will be used to replace two previous sinking fund millages that paid for repairs and renovations of buildings and grounds.

Residents in the Grosse Ile district OK’d, by 65 percent, the school system’s request for a $10.6 million bond to upgrade its athletic facilities, classroom equipment, safety measures and technology.

“We’re appreciative of the continued support of the Grosse Ile community,” said Joanne Lelekatch, the district’s superintendent. “We won’t let them down as we move forward with our planned projects. This opportunity allows Grosse Ile Township Schools to continue providing the best learning environment for our students now and in the future.”

In Hamtramck, voters approved the school district’s request to renew a 10-year millage to pay for playgrounds and a public recreation system with 78 percent of the vote.

Elected to Inkster’s charter commissioner were Fred Bishop Jr., Connie Rose Mitchell, George V. Williams, Fleda Shaw Fleming, Shirley Hankerson, William S. Miller, Deborah Owens, Octavia Smith and Ellis Clifton.

Some Wayne County residents also voted on proposals by intermediate school districts in neighboring counties.

For example, the Monroe Intermediate School District sought the five-year renewal of its regional enhancement millage to pay for technology and related expenses.

The ISD is a regional agency that provides special education services to nine public school districts, two charter schools and 15 non-public schools in Monroe County. One of the districts, Airport Community Schools in Carleton, serves a portion of Sumpter Township on Wayne County’s southwestern corner.

Wayne County voters rejected the measure with 68 percent of the vote. However, Monroe County voters supported it with 60 percent of the vote.

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District also asked voters to approve a 1.5-mill increase to cover unreimbursed costs to provide special education services. The ISD provides services to the Lincoln Consolidated School District, which serves a portion of Van Buren and Sumpter townships.

Wayne County voters rejected the proposal with 64 percent of the vote, but Washtenaw County numbers were not available late last night.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

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