Paw Paw School Buildings To Get Upgrades

education-safe-3543-23
education-safe-3543-23

Paw Paw Public Schools will be seeing some improvements now that voters have approved a bonding proposal on the ballot this past week. Superintendent Rick Reo tells WSJM News the district had two proposals on the ballot, one that will raise $47.5 million and another that would have raised $15 million. Voters said no to the smaller one, but yes to the bigger one.

“That includes flooring replacements, roof replacements, mechanical equipment replacements, and those types of things,” Reo said. “We did a comprehensive facilities study a few years back and determined where we had needs. That was all included in Proposal One.”

It also includes an early childhood education facility and program, a high school cafeteria expansion, a STEM room, improvements to the baseball field and tennis courts, and more gym space.

“We were able to put together that proposal without a tax increase. We are extending out our current levy now to generate that $47.5 million.”

Had Proposal Two also passed, Reo says it would have increased taxes, likely explaining why voters said no. He says he understands now would be a tough time to ask for an increase. Still, Reo says the passage of Proposal One will mean improvements at virtually every district building. The work will be done over five years.