School Funding Votes Head to May 5 Ballot in Michigan's Thumb Region

School Funding Measures Seek Voter Approval in Mid-Michigan Special Election

Several school districts across Michigan's Thumb region will put bond and millage measures on the May 5 ballot to address aging infrastructure, safety concerns, and facility upgrades.

The proposals range from multimillion-dollar bond measures for school construction and renovations to sinking fund millages for ongoing maintenance needs. Voters in Eaton, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties will head to the polls to decide the fate of these critical funding measures.

Five Key School Funding Proposals

The Croswell-Lexington Community School District is asking voters to approve a $37.1 million bond proposal to fund building renovations, safety upgrades, and technology improvements. The district serves approximately 1,708 students across five buildings in Croswell and surrounding townships in Sanilac and St. Clair counties.

District officials say the bond would address worn furniture, damaged lockers, and deteriorating building materials throughout the district. The proposal is designed to replace existing debt rather than increase the tax rate, which would remain at 2.40 mills for debt.

Unionville-Sebewaing Area Schools is seeking a 1.10 mill sinking fund millage over 10 years to cover construction, security, and maintenance costs. The district serves Huron and Tuscola county townships.

Cass City Schools has a $10 million bond on the ballot for additions, safety improvements, and athletic field upgrades. The district spans parts of Huron, Tuscola, and Sanilac counties.

Mayville Community Schools is requesting a 16.1589 mill operating millage for six years to support facility improvements. The district serves parts of Lapeer and Tuscola counties.

Yale Public Schools wants to borrow $32 million for a new performance building, renovations, and site improvements in St. Clair County.

What the Numbers Mean

If approved, the proposed Cros-Lex bond would result in no tax rate increase from the current year. The district currently levies 2.40 mills for debt, and that rate is projected to remain the same if the bond proposal passes. The estimated millage for the first year would be 1.20 mills, with an average of about 1.99 mills over the life of the bond, which could extend up to 26 years.

The Unionville-Sebewaing sinking fund millage would be levied from 2026 to 2035, covering ongoing facility maintenance and improvements. The Cass City bond would have a maximum term of 17 years. The Mayville operating millage would be levied for six years.

Aging Infrastructure Creates Urgent Need

At Croswell-Lexington Middle School, worn furniture and damaged lockers are visible throughout the building. Media center tables and chairs show years of use, with scuffed wood and worn upholstery from daily wear. Some window openers date back to 1992.

"About 15% of student lockers at the middle school require additional nuts and bolts as makeshift handles to allow students to open them," said Kyle Wood, assistant superintendent.

District officials describe the situation as a result of aging facilities and the constant challenge of maintaining buildings over time. Some interior door frames in high-traffic areas show deterioration, and floors, walls, and fixtures throughout the building reflect similar patterns.

Outside the building, cracking pavement and uneven surfaces near entrances and parking areas used daily by students, staff, and visitors add to the maintenance burden.

"This is no different than an individual who has to replace their home windows or air conditioning every 20 to 25 years," said Jason Zirnis, chief financial officer. "It's the same, just on a larger scale."

Safety and Modernization Priorities

The proposed work would focus on what district leaders describe as "safe, warm and dry" priorities, including:

• Safety and security upgrades
• Heating and cooling systems
• Roofing, windows, and drainage
• Site improvements such as parking lots and traffic flow
• Updated classroom spaces with flexible seating and collaborative work areas

"The community really emphasized air conditioning," Wood said. "As buildings get hotter in the fall and spring, that cooling piece is important."

Those types of projects are typically beyond what can be addressed through the district's general operating budget or its sinking fund, which is used for smaller-scale repairs and maintenance.

Community Engagement Shaped the Proposal

The plan was developed through community engagement, including a survey that drew hundreds of responses and helped identify priorities for building improvements.

"It wasn't something developed in a vacuum — it came directly from what the community told us they wanted to see addressed," Zirnis said.

Renderings provided by the district show potential updates to classrooms and media centers, including flexible seating, collaborative work areas, and modernized layouts designed to support different styles of learning. The designs are conceptual and may change, but officials said they reflect the direction the district hopes to move.

The proposed work would impact all five district buildings:

• Geiger Early Childhood Center
• Pioneer High, 15 Howard St., Croswell
• Frostick Elementary, 57 Howard Ave., Croswell
• Meyer Elementary, 7201 Lake St., Lexington
• Croswell-Lexington Middle, 5485 Peck Road, Croswell
• Croswell-Lexington High, 5461 Peck Road, Croswell

What's Next

The elections will take place on May 5, 2026. Absentee ballots have been sent out, drop boxes have been stationed, and early in-person voting sites have opened their doors throughout mid-Michigan.

If voters do not approve the Cros-Lex proposal, Superintendent Colette Moody said the district would reassess, but those needs would remain. "We'll have to go back to our community and find out what the barriers were and how we can adjust," Moody said. "There are things that are at or beyond their lifespan, and we'll still have to find a way to address them."

District officials have scheduled an open house on April 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Croswell-Lexington Middle School, where residents can tour the building and see some of the conditions firsthand.

The proposed work is focused on maintaining and improving existing spaces rather than expanding the district, ensuring facilities remain functional and aligned with educational needs for current and future students.

Broader Context

These school funding votes reflect a larger trend across Michigan, where districts are seeking voter approval for tax increases in special elections throughout May. The proposals represent critical investments in education infrastructure that will impact thousands of students and families across the Thumb region for years to come.

The outcomes of these votes will have long-term impacts on the communities they serve, affecting everything from classroom quality and student safety to facility conditions and learning environments.

Sources

• https://nationaltoday.com/us/mi/croswell/news/2026/04/03/school-funding-measures-on-ballot-across-michigans-thumb-region
• https://www.wkar.org/election-2026/2026-04-03/your-may-5-election-schools-fire-protection-and-more-will-be-on-ballots-in-mid-michigan
• https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/2026/03/30/cros-lex-37-1m-bond-to-fix-aging-school-buildings-may-5-election-in-croswell-michigan/89307807007/