Atlanta Community Schools sinking fund proposal was defeated during Tuesday’s special election.

A total of 266 people voted yes and 307 people voted no, according to unofficial results.

The sinking fund is a pay-as-you-go account used only for building repairs, safety upgrades, technology, and facility improvements, according to a graphic about the proposal.

The sinking fund would have ensured that the district could plan proactively, avoid emergency spending, and protect general operating funds for student education.

A recent statewide school facilities study report showed that the Atlanta Community Schools district needs a little over $4 million in facilities repairs. Superintendent Sue Grulke said that in the past two years, the school has spent around $300,000 on repairs for well pumps, sewage pumps, furnace replacement, door security, and athletic facility maintenance, among other things.

The sinking fund would have generated around $200,000 annually for ACS for the next 10 years, according to a Q and A from the district. The proposal was a one mill sinking fund, which means a homeowner with a taxable value of $50,000 on their property would pay around $50 extra in taxes.

Onaway Area Community School District’s bond proposal was narrowly defeated during Tuesday’s special election.

A total of 572 voted no and 550 voted yes, according to unofficial results.

The school district hoped to pass a bond proposal to provide approximately $10,290,000 to improve the school’s heating and cooling system, add a secure entrance vestibule, and improve drainage in parts of the building at a lower elevation, according to the 2025 bond proposal brochure.

The estimated debt levy for the bonds would have been 1.41 mills, with a net increase of 0.85 mills from the 2024 debt millage rate, according to the brochure. The average millage rate for the bonds over the life of the bonds was expected to be 1.78 mils. The debt payoff for the bond was expected to be less than 21 years.

A chart in the brochure calculates the increase in cost for the estimated millage increase of 0.85 mills. A home worth $100,000 in market value with a taxable value of $50,000 would cost $42.50 per year.