Voters approve Beal City Schools bond

Modern amenities, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms and other upgrades are in the works after voters in the Beal City School District approved an $11 million bond proposal in Tuesday’s election.

Voters approved the proposal 281-182, a turnout of 22.7 percent.

Superintendent William Chilman

was up at midnight Wednesday, penning a thank you letter to parents, community members and the public for the bond passing, but was in meetings all morning Wednesday and was still trying to print the letter out to send.

“This is wonderful for our kids,” Chilman said Wednesday. “They’re going to see lots of benefits from this.”

Once the election is certified,

Beal City Schools officials will begin working with the architect and construction management team to begin the upgrades to the schools.

Plans call for three additional modern classrooms, an addition to the cafeteria, expansion and renovation of common areas and rest rooms, a science lab and older classroom remodels, classroom technology, computers, projection and interactive devices, classroom furniture and seating, remodeling of the ancillary services office, renovation on teacher elementary and secondary teacher workrooms, and playground upgrades.

Chilman hopes to send projects out for bid in late fall or early winter, and award bids after that.

“We have an awful lot of work ahead of us,” said Chilman, who is looking forward to bringing the district up to speed in technology.

Other projects include additional security and safety features, new buses and an addition to the bus garage, and infrastructure like air conditioning for better air quality, and electrical, mechanical and plumbing upgrades.