Kirtland Schools levy passes

Funds will be directed to general facility maintenance, stadium, classroom improvements

Kirtland School District voters have approved the renewal of a five-year 1.1-mill permanent improvement levy with an additional 0.95-mill increase for the continued upkeep of school facilities.

According to the May 4 unofficial final results from the Lake County Elections Board, the levy renewal was approved by a vote of 1,237 to 759.

The 1.1-mill permanent improvement levy first took effect 25 years ago and has been renewed every five years. According to Kirtland Schools Superintendent Chad VanArnhem, the district added the additional 0.95-mills to this year’s renewal to keep up with rising costs of maintenance and the need to work on other improvement projects they previously did not have funds for.

“I am so thankful and appreciative of the community’s support for the permanent improvement levy,” VanArnhem said. “This will allow us to maintain and update our facilities to support our students for many years to come.”

Some of the projects the district intends to take on with the levy funds include updates to a science lab and kindergarten through third grade classrooms,

technology improvements and addressing issues with the high school’s outdated stadium.

“With the passage of Issue 1, we will be able to proceed with the projects on our five year capital improvement plan,” VanArnhem said. “The high school science lab, playground resurfacing, flooring and restroom upgrades are proposed to be completed in 2021-2022. A grade level each year, starting in grade three and working down, will be updated starting in 2022-2023.”

Kirtland School Board President Jonathan Withrow added that he was grateful for all the voters who came out to vote during the special election.