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Ingham ISD seeks 0.55-mill, 20-year levy to rebuild Beekman Center and renovate Hartwood School
Summary
Ingham ISD Superintendent Jason Meloche told the East Lansing Board that a proposed 0.55-mill, 20-year special-education facilities millage on the May 5 ballot would generate roughly $99.96 million to fully rebuild the Beekman Center and make heavy renovations at Hartwood School, citing accessibility, safety and programmatic needs; Meloche said the median parcel owner would pay about $42 a year.
Superintendent Jason Meloche of Ingham Intermediate School District presented a detailed overview of a May 5 special-education facilities millage he said would raise $99.96 million over 20 years, funded by a 0.55-mill levy to support the Beekman Center and Hartwood School.
"We are asking for 0.55 mills over a 20-year period that would generate, uh, 99.96 million dollars that would be specifically for special education facilities, namely the Beekman Center and Hartwood School," Meloche said, noting both buildings were constructed decades ago and lack modern accessibility and safety features.
Meloche framed three goals for the project—accessibility, student engagement and safety—telling the board the Beekman Center was built in 1968 (with only a 2014 roof replacement since) and Hartwood opened in 1978. He said those original designs predate many accessibility laws and that classroom, therapy and medical-support spaces no longer match the needs of students now served in center-based programs.
On financing and scope, Meloche outlined what he described as the likely split of the $99.96 million: approximately $65 million for a full rebuild of the Beekman Center (including tearing down the existing facility after the new building is occupied) and roughly $35 million for heavy renovations at Hartwood. He said the ISD expects to acquire 20 acres adjacent to the current Beekman site for the legal minimum of $1, which would allow new construction on adjacent land and minimize disruption to students during construction.
Meloche also offered a homeowner-impact example: using Ingham County equalization data, he estimated the median parcel in the service area has a street value of $153,000 (taxable value about $76,000), producing an estimated cost to that homeowner of approximately $42 per year—"about $3.50 a month," he said.
Board members asked about phasing and where students would be placed during construction; Meloche described a staggered approach with Beekman tackled first and Hartwood second, and noted district staff are exploring options such as using other facilities to reduce travel times and minimize dust, debris and noise impacts for medically vulnerable students.
Meloche referenced facility-design examples such as High Point School in Washtenaw ISD to illustrate vestibule layout, lighting and wall protections that improve accessibility for students who use wheelchairs and need sensory-considerate design.
Meloche closed by urging clarity for voters: the levy would be on the May 5 ballot and absentee ballots had been mailed for residents in the ISD service area; he said absentee ballots should already have been sent to those who requested them.
The board did not take an action on the millage at the meeting; the presentation served as an informational briefing in advance of the May 5 election.
