Trenton Public Schools Supt. Rod Wakeham said at an April 24 school safety forum that some of the building changes needed to address safety concerns could be funded by the millage, which residents subsequently approved in the May 8 special election.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON – Trenton Public Schools voters approved a $57.1 million school bond proposal May 8, a 30-year, 3.99-mill bond that Supt. Rodney Wakeham said will impact every student and school facility.
The unofficial results reported by City Clerk Debbie Devitt showed 2,098 voters, or 60 percent, in favor of the millage, with 1,422 voters, or 40 percent opposed, with 25 percent of the city’s registered voters casting ballots.
Officials said the proposal would cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $200 a year.
School Board President Michael Hawkins said the bond would support quality education programs and facilities for this generation and the next.
“I believe a successful bond will attract new families to Trenton and have a positive affect on property values,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said the bond was needed to provide Trenton students with a quality education and to be competitive with neighboring school districts.
“This is a win-win proposal for our students and the Trenton community,” Hawkins said.
Wakeham said residents suggested the inclusion of additional projects related to safety and security.
“We have accommodated those recommendations without increasing the amount of the ballot proposal,” Wakeham said.
He said existing schools would be upgraded and remodeled, and Trenton High School would receive more instruction technology, classroom enhancements and physical education and athletic facilities, and a new facilities and maintenance building.
For more information, contact Wakeman at 734-692-4510 or at [email protected], or contact Administrative Assistant Robin Miles at [email protected].
(Sue Suchyta can be reached at [email protected].)