Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Wakefield-Marenisco district voters approve bus millage

WAKEFIELD - By a margin of just 58 votes, voters within the boundaries of the Wakefield-Marenisco School District approved the district's request for a 0.6 mill increase to fund the purchase of new school buses for the district.

A total of 518 votes were cast on the matter with 288, or 55.6 percent, voting for the increase and 230 voters, or 44.4 percent, voting against the millage.

A majority of voters in the Marenisco and Bessemer Township precincts that are within the district's boundaries voted against the measure, however, support in the city of Wakefield and Wakefield Township carried the day.

The vote was 184 to 137 (57.3 to 42.7 percent) in favor of the increase in the city of Wakefield, and 45 to 29 (60.8 percent to 39.1 percent) for the measure in Wakefield Township.

In Marenisco Township, the vote was 61 to 59 (50.8 to 49.1 percent) against the measure. In the small portion of Bessemer Township that is in the W-M School District, the vote was 3-0 against.

With the passage of the millage, the district is expected to generate $395,000 to purchase four new buses over the next four years, according to information on the district's website.

The 0.6 mill increase translates to 60 cents for every $1,000 of a property's taxable value, according to language on the ballot.

The language also specified that the millage last for eight years.

The newest bus in the district's fleet was purchased in 2008, but has the most miles on it because it goes to Marenisco.

W-M Superintendent Catherine Shamion didn't respond to requests for comment from the Daily Globe.