ALPENA — On Tuesday, voters visited polls in Alcona, Atlanta, and Onaway to cast their ballots for school funding proposals. Onaway and Atlanta schools failed to pass their proposals, while Alcona passed theirs.

Voters in the Alcona Community Schools district cast their ballots with a majority in favor of the two millage renewals. According to unofficial results, 926 voted to pass the operating millage renewal proposal, and 402 voted against it. Also, 905 voted to pass the sinking fund millage renewal proposal, and 424 voted against it.

The first millage is a renewal of the 18 mills non-homestead tax, according to the 2025 millage renewal information brochure. This millage provides 90% of the school’s local operating revenue. Since this millage is a renewal, taxpayers will not pay an increased tax rate.

The second millage is a 0.9847 mill sinking fund renewal for capital improvements, such as construction, repairs, technology, and security updates. This is also a renewal, meaning taxpayers will not see an increase in their tax rate. Sinking funds cannot be used for wages or benefits.

“The district is extremely grateful and thankful to the community for their support,” Alcona Superintendent Dan O’Connor said. “The operating millage is vital to support our students and programs, and the sinking fund is vital for repairs to our facilities.”

In the Onaway Area Community Schools district, a majority of voters cast their ballots against the district’s bond proposal in a narrow race.

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

The bond was proposed primarily to fund a new HVAC system for the school. The district also wanted to make security upgrades and improve drainage in areas of lower elevation with the proposed bond funds.

“We’re obviously disappointed that we weren’t able to get it passed,” Onaway Interim Superintendent Jake Huffman said. “They are items that need to be addressed.”

Huffman hopes that when the new superintendent gets here, they will be able to work with the board and community to get something passed.

He also hopes that the community can take some time to heal from the turmoil that the board has faced since the resignation of former Superintendent Mindy Horn last year.

Atlanta Community Schools also failed to pass their sinking fund proposal.

A total of 307 people voted no and 266 people voted yes, 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.

“As you can imagine, we are very disappointed in the results of the sinking fund election,” Grulke said in an email to The News. “While we are disheartened by the result, we are encouraged by the number of residents who supported the proposal. We remain committed to maintaining safe and effective learning environments for our students and will continue to evaluate our next steps.”

Further steps will be addressed at the next ACS board meeting on May 19 at 6 p.m., Grulke said.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.