It’s been a long time coming, but the Wayland Union Schools’ drive to build a new swimming pool and perform a number of repairs and renovations at all district buildings has won the voters’ blessings.
A $49.7 million bond proposal to do just that was approved Tuesday, after failing badly in 2017 as one of two proposals and again last August in a single $48.6 million bond issue.
The victory at the polls seemed to be a fitting swan song for retiring assistant Superintendent for Finances and Operations Patricia Velie, who plans to step down at the end of June. Velie and a citizens’ bond committee rolled up their sleeves, mounting an aggressive and visual promotional campaign.
The finally tally was 2,189 yes to 1,565 no, which translated into a 58.3 percent vote in the affirmative. The bond proposal experienced its greatest approval in the City of Wayland, where it was passed 228 to 85 in Precinct No. 1 and 388 to 136 in Precinct #2.
The proposal was approved even in Leighton Township, where it failed badly in August 2022, as it was in Dorr, Yankee Springs and Hopkins townships. In the final overall tally nine months ago it went down by a total count of 2,703 to 2,478, or roughly 52 to 48 percent, falling short by 225 votes. City of Wayland and Wayland Township passed it, suggesting a geographical divide.
But Leighton passed it 350 to 340 Tuesday in its three reporting precincts. Dorr Township also showed a slight edge for the “yes” voters, 311 to 306 in Precinct No. 2 and 242 to 209 in Precinct #3.
Yankee Springs also came through by a 204 to 186 margin.
Though the new pool is the most visible part of the bond proposal, the project will set in motion other programs, such as choir and band, industrial arts, wrestling practice room and repairs to the middle school roof and a variety of improvements at Pine Street Elementary. Dorr Elementary, Steeby Elementary and Baker Elementary.
Velie has promised that there will be no increase in the annual 8.4-mill tax levy, but the length of the bond obligation will be increased by more than 10 years to pay for the extensive project.
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