What voters turned down
The bond proposal lost by a vote of 3,296 to 1,499, while the operating millage renewal failed 2,526 to 2,274, according to unofficial results reported by MLive, citing the Saginaw County clerk's office and the Associated Press.
The two measures would have supported different expenses. The operating proposal sought to renew an existing 18.0614-mill levy on non-homestead property for 2027 through 2030. Owner-occupied primary residences would not have been subject to the tax. The Saginaw County ballot notice estimated revenue of about $3,108,320 in 2027; the district said the millage brings in nearly $3 million annually and is already included in its operating budget.
The bond request would have allowed borrowing of up to $17,750,000, according to the county ballot notice and the district. Its estimated levy for 2027 was 1.10 mills, or $1.10 per $1,000 of taxable valuation, with a 0.00-mill net increase over the previous year's levy. The maximum bond term was 27 years, and the estimated simple average annual millage was 1.03 mills.
District plans for the bond included more classroom space at Hemlock Elementary and K.C. Ling Elementary, along with safety and security upgrades. Other proposed uses included campus connectivity, sidewalks, parking and traffic flow, building improvements, instructional technology, transportation and equipment.
New facilities and separate funding
The defeats came just ahead of the opening celebration for the district's new 670-seat performing arts center, one of several infrastructure improvements. Killingbeck said he believes those visible improvements likely contributed to the outcome, even though projects such as the center used a different funding source.
"Construction money cannot be used for employee compensation. It can't be used to hire people. It can't be used for operations. It doesn't keep the lights on," Killingbeck said. "But when the average person sees what we were able to do with a tax-neutral bond approved by our voters in 2022, it looks like a lot."
The center's ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 6:50 p.m., followed by a performance at 7 p.m.
Regional bond results were mixed
Hemlock was among several districts seeking bond approval in the Nov. 3 election. WSGW's unofficial results roundup showed voters approving a $21.2 million bond for Freeland Community School District and a $10.5 million bond for St. Charles Community Schools.
Two other requests failed: a $19.9 million bond for Pinconning Area Schools and a $13.95 million bond for Meridian Public School District.
District plans to hear from residents
Killingbeck acknowledged his disappointment but said the results give the district a reason to listen closely to the community. He plans to invite residents to share suggestions, either individually or in a town hall-style setting, as the district considers how to proceed.
For now, he said, every district job remains secure, and students should see no change in their classrooms. "We owe it to our families and to our students to continue to provide this level of service, this level of education that they're accustomed to," he said.
Whether either proposal will return to the ballot, and when that might happen, remains undecided, Killingbeck said.
