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Marquette Area Public Schools board hears student presentations ahead of $60 million bond vote
Summary
Students from the alternative high school and the Marquette Senior High School student council presented videos and personal testimony at the May 4 board meeting to explain facility needs and urge residents to vote in the May 5 bond election that would raise roughly $60 million for renovations and infrastructure.
Marquette Area Public Schools' board heard presentations from alternative-school staff and student leaders at its May 4 meeting as the district prepares voters for a May 5 bond proposal that district staff say would raise about $60 million for facility projects.
The presentations included student-led videos, personal testimonies from students who said the alternative program improved their academics and opportunities, and an outline from district staff of the types of projects the bond would fund. "I'm so grateful for this program and everything they've done for me," student Lyle Mattson said, describing how support at the alternative school helped him graduate early and enroll in early-education courses at Northern Michigan University. "I've had high highs and low lows, but they've been there through all of it."
Pablo McCutcheon, vice president of the Marquette Senior High School student council, described student work on the bond campaign, saying students conducted polls, hosted listening sessions and produced informational videos to document building needs. "These videos are very powerful and very informational," McCutcheon said, urging board members to share them with the community.
Mr. Crumkleton, who led the alternative-school presentation, highlighted program successes and campus improvements, including "about $78,000" worth of solar panels recently installed on a garage roof. A district staff member explained the bond's scope: "the hope is to leverage enough mills to raise $60,000,000 to supply the district with $60,000,000 to help those projects," and said planned work would range from cafeterias and libraries to athletics and arts spaces while addressing infrastructure problems such as boilers, leaking pipes and aging windows.
Board members praised the students' presentations and urged residents to vote in the May 5 election. "The reason that we're going for the bond tomorrow is for the students so that we can have some great facilities," the board president said, adding thanks for student involvement at school and district levels. No formal board action on the bond was taken at the meeting; the board's routine business included approval of the meeting agenda and adjournment.
The board noted upcoming events and meetings, including a May 18 meeting at Superior Hills and a June 1 celebration honoring retirees and staff. The bond vote is scheduled for May 5.
