Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Bessemer school referendum on ballot Tuesday

BESSEMER — Voters in the Bessemer School District will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote on a proposed bond referendum.

The $4.98-million, 19-year referendum would provide for updates to the district’s two school buildings.

This is the second time the school has had a referendum on the ballot in recent months. A $6.78 million referendum was rejected by voters last year.

If passed, the funds will be used for flooring and external building repair, mechanical and lighting systems, a security system with cameras, an asbestos and lead abatement program, and technology upgrades, including upgrading the district’s network, installing an Internet-based telephone system and purchasing new desktop and laptop computers, projectors and data backup systems.

In past interviews, superintendent Dave Radovich said the bond’s cost to the average homeowner is expected to be about $9 per month.

“This district always strives to spend its budget wisely to provide the finest possible education for district students,” Radovich said. “But we are now wasting energy and money by attempting to keep old and inefficient mechanical and lighting systems operating. The time has come to move our schools into the 21st century and save money that can be used to help educate our students.”

If the referendum is passed Tuesday, the district plans on beginning work at A.D. Johnston Middle-High and Washington Elementary schools as soon as possible, with completion expected in spring 2015.

 
 
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