By K.D. Norris
On the back side of a very crowded ballot, one local school bonding issue and several school board races were up for vote Nov. 3, with Godfrey-Lee Public Schools’ $17.8 million bonding proposal gaining approval and the only local contested school board race decided.
By a margin of 1,505 to 730, in unofficial (uncertified) results, voters in the Godfrey-Lee school district gave the district a 1.67 mill increase in local property tax rate which will allow it to borrow as much as $17.8 million over 30 years to modernize portions of its middle and high school that are nearly 100 years old, make repairs and improvements to a portion of the building which collapsed last year, and fund other district infrastructure work.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, staff, and students, I express sincere appreciation to our community for supporting the bond proposal to renovate and restore Lee Middle and High School,” district superintendent Kevin Polston said in a statement. “Quality schools are vital for quality communities. The investment and trust our community provided to Godfrey-Lee Public Schools will create a better learning environment for our students.”
The district statement detailed that a “major transformation” of Lee middle and high schools that will include air conditioning, accessibility for disabled, safety and security upgrades, new classrooms, a community wellness and resource center, and a new band room. (More information can be found at glpsbond2020.com/.)
“Godfrey-Lee takes the responsibility of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars seriously, and look forward to making good on the promise of enhanced school facilities for students,” Polston said. “Our students deserve the very best learning environment to allow each and every student to live out their hopes and dreams through the education they receive at Godfrey-Lee. The improvements at Lee Middle and High School will transform our classrooms, provide flexible learning space, make the school more accessible, and enhance our performing arts program.”
Also in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district, the Board of Education had three candidates, two already serving the board, running for three full 6-year term positions. Reelected were David Blok, current board vice president, and Tammy Schafer, current board secretary. Cheryl L. Slaughter will be new to the board.
Other school board voting results
While nearly all the local public school districts had Board of Education candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot, only the Kentwood Public Schools board had contested seats to be voted on.
The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education had five candidates, four of them incumbents, running for four positions, all with 4-year terms. And all the incumbents won re-election. Mary (Mimi) Madden, current board president and the longest serving member of the board at 17 years, gained the most votes at 13,799. Angela Hovermale, current board trustee, gained 12,797 votes. Allen Young, current board vice president, gained 12,599 votes. Angie Forton, current board secretary, gained 12,703 votes. Leonica Riley Erwin, who was running to unseat one of four incumbents running for re-election, gained 11,366 votes.
The Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education had four candidates — two of which would be new to the board — running for four positions, three 6-year terms and one partial term. The two new-to-the-board candidates elected to full terms are Shannon Frick and Jessica A. Hanselman. Craig P. Popma, current board treasurer, was elected to a full term while Jeff Norton, current trustee, was elected to a partial term ending in December 2022.
The Kelloggsville Public Schools Board of Education had five candidates, all current board members, running for five positions, three 6-year terms and two partial terms. Marie Groters, current board vice president, and Tim Pomorski and Laura L. Tanis, both current trustees, were elected to full, 6-year terms. Debra Sellers, current trustee, was elected to a partial term ending December 2024, and Crystal Reidzans current board treasurer, was elected to a partial term ending December 2022.
The Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education had two candidates, both currently on the board, running for two full 6-year term positions. Re-elected were Ken Hornecker, current board treasurer, and Allen E. Johnston, current board president.
