PORTAGE (WKZO-AM) — Some voters were in a generous mood last night and some were not.
In Portage, one of the largest school bond issues on the ballot in Michigan Tuesday was approved by voters, and generally by wide margins.
Portage Supt. Mark Bielang sounded relieved when victory was secured.
He said the $144 million will build two new middle schools and install swimming pools at both high schools.
It will also resolve the decades-old dispute in Portage over whether each high school should have its own football field, or whether they should continue to share McCamley Field. Now two new football stadiums will be constructed to replace the lone aging facility.
Bielang said getting the millage passed is just the first step. Getting all the construction done could take some time.
They will have plenty of planning to do before the money begins to roll in from the tax.
While they were celebrating in Portage, a $14 million dollar bond issue for the Galesburg-Augusta schools failed. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, the vote Tuesday was 923-791 against the proposal.
– John McNeill
